There's still something about that one with the crazy hair that I find suspicious

Two great articles in the Boston Globe today (thanks to Brion O'Connor):

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2010/09/19/davis_lee_of_newburyport_plans_to_swim_the_english_channel_next_weekend/

http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2010/09/19/pilot_boat_helps_to_stay_the_course/

As it says in the article, we are leaving in just a few days. We spent today doing errands - getting Gu, glow sticks and other things we need for the trip. Looking forward to getting over there.

Thought I would also provide an update on the hair.

My last haircut was June 14th and my hair has - well, it has gotten a bit out of control. There is enough of it now that I think it should provide me with a bit of warmth on the swim. If it doesn't it will have at least provided something for Oliver to hold on to when he's riding on my shoulders. If Oliver doesn't manage to pull it all out by the time we return from England, a haircut is going to be one of the first thing that happens.

Cross-training

Just 6 days until we leave for England and just 9 days until the first day I could potentially swim. I've been tapering my swim workouts in preparation for the big swim, but have continued to cross-train. Here are a couple videos of my cross-training.






The plan is to be better about updating the blog while we away so as to keep anyone interested up to date on the pre-swim, swim, and post-swim activities. I also plan on sending out emails to keep people updated.

Please let me know if you'd like to be put on the email list.

Ready to go

I just received an email from Lance Oram, the captain of my pilot boat - he says that I have satisfied all the requirements of the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation and am "ready to go." Good, because I feel ready. Just 16 days until we head off to England and 19 days until I could potentially swim. I am looking forward to it.

This past weekend I took a break from distance swimming and participated in the Maine Sport Triathlon in Camden, Maine. I did the swim portion. My team consisted of my cousin Bjorn (super fast runner) and Bill, a friend of Bjorn's (super fast biker). Our team came in first!

http://knox.villagesoup.com/sports/story/caiazzo-brennan-celebrate-most-in-30th-maine-sport-triathlon/349518

6 hours

The English Channel Piloting Federation requires swimmers to have completed a 6 hours swim in 60 degree (or less) water prior to attempting the English Channel. On Saturday, thanks to Al and Matt who not only volunteered their boat, but who also served as my support crew, I completed this prerequisite.

We left The Old Town Country Club in Newbury around 7:30 and headed down the Parker River. At 7:45 I jumped into the water and began my swim. I swam down the Parker River and out into the ocean. The day was amazingly clear and the water was pretty calm - great for the boat crew. Everything went well until about 3 hours in - this was totally expected, but not fun. After about a half hour of mental struggle (why am I doing this? this Goo tastes horrible...) I was back on track and actually got into such a zone I wonder if I was deep in meditation or actually asleep.

Andrew jumped in and swam next to me for the last 15 minutes. When I was told I'd swam for six hours and it was time to get out I can't say I was disappointed to leave the water. However, I feel as though I could have kept going and am surprisingly not too sore or tired. All of this gives me confidence going forward. While I have not doubted myself, knowing that I still felt string after six hours makes me feel I am ready to head across the pond.

Again, a HUGE thank you to Al and Matt and to Andrew. Without them I would not have been able to do the swim. I know that sitting on the boat (albeit drinking beers and snacking on delicious looking food) for six hours and going at a snails pace is not the most fun way one could spend an amazing August Saturday - THANK YOU!
Also a big thank you to Oliver - he is also an invaluable part of my support crew.

Shark Attack!

I got attacked by a small shark when leaving the beach the other day - no injuries though.

Daddy 1 million, Sharks 0

Yesterday was the Boston Light Swim - an 8 mile swim that started out at the Boston Light House and ended at the L Street Bath House in Southie. The water temperature was similar to what it should be in the Channel - between 57 and 62 degrees. And the seas - yesterday it was almost like a lake out there (perhaps I can get lucky and it will be calm when I cross the Channel).

I felt really good about the swim. Not only did I finish feeling strong, but I also shaved close to 45 minutes off of the time I got last year. This year I finished in 2 hours and 58 minutes; about a 22 minute mile.


Crossing the finishing line:

Here is my cheering squad:
Post-race:
Andrew and me enjoying a post-race beer:

Talking about the time with Andrew and Emmett (the captain of my escort boat):

I feel great today - not stiff, not sore - I feel ready to swim.

10 HOT miles

This past weekend was the Kingdom Swim in Newport, Vermont. I participated in the 10 miles swim and let me tell you - it was HOT! Despite the fact that Lake Memphremagog is north - actually straddling the US-Canadian border, the water was in the mid-70s. I am used to water being in the 50s and low 60s, so mid-70s was scorchin' hot, and I felt it. That being said I was pleased with how I did - I completed the swim in 4 hours and 33 minutes, coming in 13th overall and 7th for men (there were about 84 participants in total).

Here are some pictures from the event-

The start/finish
Getting a pep talk before the swim began-
The start (which was much more civilized than I had expected)-



About half way done (if you look closely you can see the yellow kayak which Andrew was paddling - I'm in the water close by) -

Rounding the final buoy-
My fans-

Finishing -

Finished!


I've been back training this week - yesterday I did 7,000 yards in the pool.

Next up - the Boston Light Swim - 8 miles in Boston Harbor.