I invite you to look at the Swimming Log page in particular. I’m pretty proud of my swimming for the month of August 2011, and the distance I have swum is available there. I’m at an all-time-high for yardage - 62,429 yards or 35.47 miles in the water. In fact, for 2011, I’m currently at 118.53 miles of swimming!

The particulars of the swims making up my August 2011 yardage will be there for a little while. I have been taking them down and leaving only the totals (as you can see for previous months) because I didn’t know whether my readers wanted to see the detail. August’s detail will be coming down within the next week or so. If you think I should leave the detail because it interests you…please let me know! I’m more than happy to accommodate you!

The yardage will continue piling up from here on out. Don’t hesitate to check in on it every once in a while! It’ll keep my honest!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

Heyburn State Park Sunset

I got a good night’s rest under the stars. My alarm went off at 0500 hours PDT so I could eat and get up to Coeur d’Alene for the swim. (Thus…the day dawned dark!)

I got to Lake Coeur d’Alene at around 0640; just in time for check in.

C.A.S.T. Swim Sign

I took a look at the buoys lining the 2.5k rectangular course. Unlike the 1st time I swam in Lake Coeur d’Alene (for Ironman Coeur d’Alene in 2009), I thought to myself: “Heck, that doesn’t look too bad!”

The volunteers were great. I met some of my friends from Boise, and was introduced to some new friends from the swimming community! Safety and athlete’s briefing were completed and it was time to jump on in the water for the 0800 start!

Water temperature was a very comfortable 72 degrees. There was not a cloud in the sky. Before I knew it, the horn sounded and it was time to go. I was immediately dropped from the pack of more experienced swimmers. I was fine with that; this was my 1st swim of this distance and I was determined to “swim my own swim.” My goals for the swim: (1) Finish; and (2) Finish before they pulled me off the course! After all, I had never swum 10k before. A few weeks ago, I swam the Deer Creek 5k and felt pretty good after that, so I knew I could get 2 laps (5k) done without too much of a problem.

The organizers had nutrition and water available for all 10k swimmers. I took advantage of both on the 2nd and 3rd laps of my swim. I was sure to thank the volunteers each and every time they helped me!

The conditions deteriorated as the swim progressed. Unless you’ve swum open water, you have no idea what an impact boats can have on the conditions! The chop and waves created by the boats got pretty bad.

One lasting image I took away from the swim: As I was beginning my 3rd lap, I breathed to my right and saw a sea plane coming in for a landing on the lake. Unbeatable!

At the end of the day, I finished! Was it before the threatened cut-off of 3:30:00…nope! The race organizers did not cut me off; instead they let me finish my swim! For that I am thankful!

My unofficial time: 3:45:41 official time: 3:44:36. That’s a long time in the water, my friends. I can honestly say I enjoyed each and every stroke. Everyone cheered me as I touched the finish line.

I know I will become faster this winter when I focus on speeding up during my pool time. Do I look forward to getting  faster…of course. Am I enjoying each and every step of this journey, whether fast or slow? YES!

I’ll put the C.A.S.T. swim on my calendar for next year. Great venue, great organization, great swim! If you swim at all, I urge you to do the same. The swim has different distances 2.5k, 5k and 10k. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

To say I have been “spoiled” by my swimming in Clocktower and Veteran’s ponds would, I think, be an understatement. Although Veteran’s is clearly the “cooler” of the two bodies of water, both are relatively peaceful, calm and temped at this time of year. To swim 1 loop of Clocktower is about .62 miles; one lap of Veteran’s is about .5 miles.

On Sunday, Michelle and I went up to Lucky Peak Reservoir. As the name implies, it is a large body of water. It is also notoriously windy in the mornings. Sure enough, we arrived on site and the “breeze” was blowing. There weren’t any whitecaps, so it actually has been worse!

As we were preparing to get into the water (Michelle on the Versa Board), me to swim, one of the kite-surfers asked: “How long you going to swim”? To which I replied: “2 and one-half hours.” I won’t tell you what his response was!

Oh, back to the “spoiled” swimmer I have become. The water was “cool” at the start and just seemed to get cooler as I progressed. I never seemed to hit a “warm” pocket. The waves and “breeze” were challenging and, quite frankly, energy-sapping. That being said, I fed on schedule (although I could have used more nutrition for a swim of that intensity). I also swam 2:28 and change…less than 2 minutes off my goal time. The downside: I “only” swam 3.72 miles. Not nearly far enough in the time I was in the water. You can click here for a satellite image of my swim.

Lesson learned: Don’t get “lazy” by swimming in calm water all the time. The English Channel will not be calm or warm. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

I hopped on the Google machine and began my search. I found an event and e-mailed my swim coach about it. My concern…the race has a 10k swim (another 5k just wouldn’t do at this point). Could I swim that far? Am I just being silly in wanting to get another race under my belt? My coach, Marcia Cleveland, said: go for it and, so, I did!

I registered for the C.A.S.T (Coeur d’Alene Area Swim Team) 10k swim on August 27. The cutoff time is 3:30; this won’t give me much time if I swim as I did at Deer Creek. I’ll have to push myself. That is a good thing. Reaching and challenging myself is what this journey is all about, right??

I’ll let you all know how it goes!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

Deer Creek OW Swim 2011

Let me just say: The drive was worth it. The Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim folks put on a heck of an event!

The weather was darn-near perfect. Michelle did us all proud by being the only SUP support craft at the event. I tell you, every time I took a breath toward her side, I had to smile a little because she just looked so darned “majestic” on her SUP!

As far as my performance goes, I felt good during the race. For the first half, I tried to settle in to a pace that was towards the upper-end of my “go all day” pace. Once I hit the turn-around buoy (the race was an out-and-back), I tried to pick it up some. I knew I still had a fair way to go, so I didn’t go all out…just yet.

With less than 880 yards (.5 miles), I eyed a swimmer close to me and sped up. I switched to breathing on every 2nd stroke. I tried to sight for the shortest line to the final corner. Had I followed Michelle’s directions (which, in all honesty, I did not see), my line would have been better. At the end, the swimmer who I was trying to best, got the best of me by about 14 seconds.

My finish time: 1:42:34. I am pretty proud of the time for a few reasons: (1) I shaved 12 seconds per 100 yards off of my training time, which is a hefty chunk of time; and (2) I came in 2nd overall for the non-wetsuit men–for results, click here.

After the swim - Deer Creek 5k 2011

Michelle and I also figured out a few things as far as teamwork is concerned, the most important is communication. We are going to get a white board for Michelle to use to give me direction and feedback during swims like this (and my training swims as well). As you can probably imagine, it is pretty difficult to communicate when one person is looking at you for only a split second. The other thing I figured out is to “trust” Michelle. She had the perfect line picked out for me. I just didn’t know she was going to do that!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

How can I make a pond “different” you ask? Well, it was actually at my coach, Marcia Cleveland’s suggestion. I simply split up my 4 lap swim into counter-clockwise and clockwise laps. On the odd number laps, I swam counter-clockwise; on the even laps, I swam clockwise. Simple, right??!! Why didn’t I think of that!!

It can be easy to take each workout for granted and become complacent. This morning I knew I was going to swim 4 laps at Clocktower Pond. What I didn’t know was how the same workout I have been doing for weeks became different simply by changing direction!

This Sunday, I’m slated to swim 6 laps at Clocktower. I’m going to mix it up even more. I will have Michelle hold up a white board telling me which direction to swim for each lap. This way, I have no idea from one lap to the next, where I am going. It should be interesting!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them! Oh, and don’t be afraid to change things up once-in-a-while. You may be surprised how different the “same” feels when you do!

Although I swam the Governor’s Island Swim last summer as my 1st “official” open water swim of my English Channel quest, I think Deer Creek will be a different step along the journey for a few reasons. First, obviously, the distance is greater. While Governor’s Island was a 2 mile swim; Deer Creek is a 5k or 3.1 mile event. Second, Governor’s Island was a salt water swim; Deer Creek is fresh water. This makes a difference in buoyancy. It’ll be more challenging to maintain correct body position at Deer Creek. Third, Deer Creek requires me to have a safety paddler at my side for the race. This will be a chance for my lovely wife, Michelle, to paddle our Liquid Logic Versa Board during a race. Finally, I plan on beginning work on my nutrition while in the water for this race.

Deer Creek will be a challenge; one I accept without hesitation! After all, due to its location, I’m certain I’ll have the opportunity for an enjoyable swim during which I can learn. A trip to Rubio’s in Salt Lake City, Utah, is also a side benefit!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

Last week, I shared my concerns with my lovely bride, Michelle. She looked at me aghast and said: “(1) You are a good swimmer; (2) If you are going to swim the English Channel, don’t you think it would benefit you to swim with the Masters; and (3) You’re a friggin Ironman!” Well, with Michelle’s prodding, I attended my 1st Masters swim this morning at 5:15 a.m. (truth be told, I was 5 minutes late and didn’t get into the water until 5:20) at the West YMCA here in Boise. It was AWESOME!

The coach on deck had a solid workout — it even included some backstroke. She was kind, thoughtful and approachable. She explained the drills and unfamiliar stuff to me in a way I could understand. She kept an eye on me and “coached me up.” We chatted about her philosophy after the workout; it’s a philosophy I agree with…get the form right and the rest will follow. The swimmers were just as friendly as could be.

It just goes to show you: (1) getting out of your comfort zone every now and again is critical; and (2) fear of the unknown vanishes the instant the thing is no longer “unknown”! I know I’ll learn a lot from swimming with the Masters group. I plan on swimming Tuesday and Thursday mornings (and I will be in the pool early!).

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything (even trying something that makes you uncomfortable) in your power to achieve them!

Today, I am proud to announce he made it! Yep, 2700+ miles in just over 24 days! He is now safe in his lovely wife Eve’s arms (after a good shower and scrubbing). I’m not sure when he’ll be back in Boise; I cannot wait to see him!! It’ll be a fantastic reunion with stories aplenty, I’m sure!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!

Ironman Coeur d'Alene 2011 Swim Start - Courtesy of Alyssa Smith

One week ago, on June 26, 2011, I completed my 3rd and, for now, final, Ironman triathlon. Ironman Coeur d’Alene was an awesome race. I rediscovered what it means to push my body further than I thought possible. My result: 13:43 was not what I had hoped for, but after reflection, I am pleased with my effort.

After I decided to attempt an English Channel swim in 2013, I realized I would have to put my massive amounts of cross-training for Ironman on hold eventually. In order to get the mileage of swimming in to properly and adequately prepare for my Channel attempt, work and spend time with my family and friends, something would have to give. Those “somethings” are lots of time in the saddle of my bike and running. Now, that is not to say I won’t be riding and running!! I think I would go a little crazy if I didn’t continue to do those things. Now, and for the next 2 years, swimming will be my primary focus.

I will be forever thankful for the patience and support my family and friends have given me in pursuing my Ironman dreams. I know they are all “on board” for the next challenge…preparing for and successfully completing my English Channel attempt in 2013. Training re-starts Tuesday!!

Until next time…stay focused on your goals and do everything in your power to achieve them!