20,000 YARDS OF THANKSGIVING

On November 25th 2009, the day before Thanksgiving, I did an 11+ mile workout at University of San Francisco that took me 6:15 hours. I had the company of many South End Rowing Club and Dolphin Club members including a personal pacer, Tom Keller, former president of the Dolphin Club.


20,000 yards later and still smiling

Tom successfully crossed the English Channel a few years back and has accomplished many open water swims, including the Sacramento River delta swim relay, from Sacramento to the Aquatic Park in San Francisco. The swim raised funds for BAYKEEPER, the same nonprofit I am raising money for, bringing awareness to people about the water quality in and around the San Francisco Bay.

Before my workout I had the opportunity to meet in person Larry Scroggins, an “OG” (old guy) by his own words, who also will be crossing the English Channel this summer. Larry is a fantastic swimmer, a great guy, and as I learned recently, also a great writer – check out his blog about swimming and training for the Channel:
http://larrychannel.blogspot.com/.


Look at the “OG’s” abs, 22 years older than me. I feel like the Michelin man next to him.

This was my workout breakdown in the pool that Wednesday before Thanksgiving:

• 7X1000 YARDS 15’ REST
• 3000 YARDS KICK FINS
• 3000 YARDS PULL BUOY WORK
• 2000 YARDS SWIMMING WITH FINS
• 1000 YARDS BACKSTROKE
• 20X200 FREESTYLE EACH 4’

Since the pool rules don’t allow eating around the pool, I had to feed on liquid carbohydrates, mainly Endurox.

Pool workouts are a fantastic way for any open water swimmer to improve their speed, work on their stroke, and pay attention to details that are neglected during open water events due to the sometimes overwhelming conditions. Details like:

• Neck chains
• Wristwatches
• Earrings
• Swim cap (too tight or too loose)
• Uncomfortable swimsuits
• Uncomfortable goggles

The list could go on and on, especially when you have 800 laps to cover. The mind has a lot of time to wander around and pay attention to details you never thought or worried about during an ocean swim.

One of the biggest things I learned about that swim is that one should avoid drinking and eating the night before the swim wheat beer, a variety of sharp Belgium cheeses, gigantic slices of pecan pie and pita chips and humus. I confess at least a couple thousand yards were covered by “jet propulsion”. Other than a turbulent swim caused by self-induced turbulence, it was a smooth swim.