Many
thanks to those who wished me well pre and post my English Channel
attempt. After some doses of Benedryl I’m feeling fine today. I
always hoped when the day came for my first DNF that I’d handle it well,
and I think I am. First, I honestly feel mentally and physically
great and feel nothing but gratitude for Bob’s call. I’m blessed with
not just a perfect hubby, but a solid reliable crew support. My entire
experience has been nothing but great since I arrived in England. I’ve
met so many wonderful people, swimmers and non swimmers. I’m leaving
with new friends, and the knowledge that my new approach to mental and
physical training did me well. I was feeling nothing but pure bliss for
my entire swim, and I just felt so strong and positive. One of the
last words spoken to me on shore by another channel swimmer observing
for a relay team stuck in my mind – just relax and enjoy your channel
experience. I did just that. When my observer looked at me with a WTF
look on his face and said the water is 11. Bob nicely translated to –
it is 51-52. I recall shaking my head no because I thought he was
kidding. One toe hit the water and I said oh, wow he is serious. I
stayed positive and let my body embrace the temp as I swam to shore to
start thinking ah, mental training is paying off! I spent a lot of
effort on cold water acclimation and felt confident. I started
feeling fine, and embraced the temps by going out faster than normal.
After that I could feel it get warmer, thrilled I was under 20 sec on
feedings and peeing between feedings – my body was fine. I felt
stronger than ever with boundless energy- even my tapering was paying
off. I saw a few jellies early on under me and took in their beauty
and reflected back on my first 2008 one mile ocean swim where I was
freaked by the ocean and closed my eyes until the lifeguard startled me
when he told me I was going in the wrong direction. I felt so thrilled
I was now swimming over them, admiring them. I wasn’t worried about a
sting at all. I was stung in Tampa so I knew it would hurt but I’d get
through it. You learn something from each challenge to apply to the
next. I saw few more and fine again. I couldn’t believe how awesome
it was swimming in the channel, and how fast time was going between
feedings – a sign of pure bliss. I last remember swimming through what
seemed like endless jellies and thinking wow, so many and so cool. I
felt the stings and said wow, not as bad as Tampa, must be cuz I’m numb
from cold. I swam on and then suddenly I felt drugged, then left side
of my body was doing its own thing and I recall trying to focus to swim
through it but was really disoriented. I heard Bob’s voice and from
that point I really thought I was chatting with them, but Bob said nope,
unresponsive. In my mind I was swimming through it, but his vision had
me not even rolling my head to breathe. It really wasn’t a bad
experience for me since I was in la la land, but I’m sure I stressed
poor Bob out and for that I’m sorry. He’s done nothing but support my
goals 100%, and unfortunately he had to make a decision that I’m sure
is hard for any crew to make. While this didn’t go as I hoped, I am
really feeling good, strong and healthy today. I’ll now focus on my
other work, swim and life commitments in the coming months and continue
my English Channel training for a hopeful slot in 2014 season. Thanks
again to all for their support. I really am leaving healthy, injury
free, and content. I came here with no other ‘next’ swim planned
because I said anything can happen, and I want to focus on the channel
until I hit France and I plan to keep my word:)
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