Bravebob

This is a record of my training , thoughts and adventures as a long distance swimmer.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

I miss my friend who passed a few years ago she lived with CF. I often think of her, she was a beautiful soul.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

My coach said imagine you could not fail at anything. I have been training for years to do a long ocean swim & this gave me to opportunity to look at this. Do I really want it.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Yesterday i did 3 hrs hedge cutting a great workout plus a swim
2 warm up sets 50m
8 sets with a focus each 50: Breath timing, engauging the core
8 sets 25, 6 sets 50, 4 sets 75, 2 sets 200, 1 set 400 counting how many stokes per set, 150 cool down

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

There something uplifting about singing in choir. Tonight we sang Lean on you. It was simply wonderful.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Quiet evening swim. I did a quick 16 sets of front crawl and another 8 sets of various strokes. It felt very smooth, quiet and effortless.
Lovely way to finish a day. Happy.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Worked in a friends garden this evening for 2.5hrs. It looks considerably better and it felt like a good work out.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Did a 45 min toning class tonight at the University. Worked the whole body. It was wonderful.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

50 minutes of pilates at Bham Uni. Simply wonderful. Finished with a swim. Practiced drills to improve breath timing.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Trained at Bham University today for 30 mins the goal was to drive the stroke with the rotation of the hips fitting in the arms into the stroke. The faster I rotated the hips the faster I went. I would switch sides to breath on every 3 strokes. This kept the timing sharp.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Such a lovely way to end an evening last night. I went on the treadmill and ran for 30 mins.
This morning I started the day properly and went on the turbo for 30 mins.
Regular exercise is such fun.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Sunday was a lovely day for a walk on the canal by Olton, collected a huge bag of rubbish and enjoyed the fresh air.
2.5 hrs in nature , lovely. The best part was when it rained and I got completely soaked.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Really want to swim tonight, desperate to train however i know i also need to have a balance. Decided rest as today i had a bad reaction from lake swimming.
So i did some litter picking on the canal for 1hr 15mins which was fun. After months of work it looks pristine.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

I get a reaction swimming in lakes everytime i go in, blocked nose sore eyes it last two days so its not too bad The pollen or dust particles on the surafce create a allergic reaction. This does not happen when sea swimming. It is dibilitating however its a small thing to contend

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

I often read quotes from Mother Teresa they are simply beautiful & often capture my feelings perfectly. Everyday i feel it is
important to be useful & help another. They are little things that might lift a person, you never really know whats going on in their world & it just nice

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

The cold of lake is intense, your hands stiffen, the cold bites, when you swim, nothing seems quite right, so i have been working on it, timing, today was a little too long, i got cold i could not speak properly, however its more experience, great for mental toughening & real fun

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Started some cardio work today 30mins on the Turbo & 15 mins Rowing. It was lovely and good fun. My body was a little sore & this helped.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Swam in shorts in Stoney Cove today it was a little cool & i found it difficult to get the front crawl working, how i persisted. The sun was shining, lots of blue sky, quite a strong breeze made the lake choppy. It was simply fun.

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Working on my left arm with drills coming forward to reach the right position whist breathing to the right, when swimming in cold water this is rushed, result is the head moves to early & lifts not energy efficient

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

Trained with Keith Lewis at the Swim Shed & got some fun excercises to do at work in the office to work on the core

[Bravebob @Bravebob2014]

'i have come to conclusion that if you set yourself a goal it must be fun obtaining it, it is only fear that will take this away, so have no fear and enjoy every day'