Swim & Tonic

Article – Dangerous When Wet

Posted on June 12, 2013 by courtneypaulk

Congratulations to Matt Bondurant for an excellent article and surviving Cork Distance Week! He truly captures what it means to be an open water marathon swimmer.

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/swimming/Give-Us-Your-Tired-Your-Sore-Your-Shriveled-Masses.html?page=1

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Battling the Boredom

Posted on June 4, 2013 by courtneypaulk

Cold Day on the Boat!

Over the last few weeks, I have trained in a lake in Tennessee, the Chesapeake Bay and in my “home river” – the Rappahannock. Matt has accompanied me on nearly every training swim since the beginning of April and, as you might imagine, all of those hours watching me swim – either from land or on the boat – can result in some pretty significant boredom. Thankfully, for most of those swims, Matt has had someone along for the ride. My mom kept him company when I swam at Buckroe Beach in the Bay. Our friends Sarah, Frank, Kelly, Jaime, Jordi, Mark and Myrna have put in significant crew time on the boat over the last month. And, we had one pit stop to visit our friends Bill and Patti. Thanks to all of this support – I’m ready for the season to officially begin!

One of the things Matt does to pass the time is to record video and, in particular, commentary. I’ve selected a couple of clips from the last few weeks. I’ve also attached a smattering of pictures from our adventures this Spring. Season starts officially next Sunday with my 11th Chesapeake Bay Swim!

Myrna is bundled up for a cold, wet day on the Boat!

Getting ready for a great day!

First warm day of the season!

Baxter wants to join the crew on the Boat!

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Spring Training!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by courtneypaulk

I am officially entrenched in Spring Training and loving every minute of it! I started swimming in the Rappahannock River about four weeks ago. The water temp held at a steady 60 for three weeks and last weekend it spiked up to about 66-67ish. Four weeks ago Matt and I headed down to Deltaville to get the boat aired out and for me to get my toes wet. Three weeks ago I got a tough 4 hour swim in with crew Jaime, Frank, Jordi and Matt in tow. There was LOTS of beer consumption on the boat that day which resulted in many interesting drawings on the white board (feel free to let your imgaination run wild). Two weeks ago was a cold and brutal day on the water with swells between 3-5 feet. Captain Mark and his first mate Myrna exhibited great spirit and were very hardy souls. Thankfully, Captain Mark was able to effectively navigate the boat to safety when conditions deteriorated quickly and significantly at the end of the day. We were so stressed by the time we got back to the marina – we headed to Cocomos for drinks!

Last weekend crew Sarah, Kelly, Frank and Matt accompanied me for a somewhat odd 5 hour swim. The day started out calm and flat. After about an hour – the wind and chop picked up and continued to escalate. So we made our way a little closer to shore for the boat to get some protection. Unfortunately for those on the boat, that didn’t quite work. So, they anchored and I swam around the boat for about an hour. Anchoring didn’t really help either and there was a little seasickness on the boat – so we decided to try going back out into the channel. Things calmed down just a bit for the last hour. All in all, it was a great swim for me in that I was able to work through conditions from flat to lots of chop and wind – and take it from every direction (not sure all on the boat would agree). And, I had my first feeding of the fish this season. Although, interestingly, it really was more of a feeding of the seagulls than the fish – as the seagulls immediately swooped in and scarfed up everything I had expelled (yum)!

I also had the opportunity to speak to a lovely group this week about my open water swimming journey. It is always nice to share stories of my adventures!

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My Own Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k…just not on Monument Avenue

Posted on April 14, 2013 by courtneypaulk

Yesterday, approximately 40,000 people participated in the annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. Sports Backers couldn’t have ordered better weather for it! Several years ago, I decided that, instead of running or walking in the 10k, I would swim a 10k instead. So, yesterday, rather than donning running shoes – I headed to the pool for my own version of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k – aquatic style.

During my swim, I was struck by the dramatic differences between the two experiences and, actually, in some ways, the similarities. As for the differences – when I entered the Collegiate School Aquatics Center I was alone, there wasn’t a party atmosphere, there was no music and no one was in costume. While I swam – there were no bands (except what I was singing in my head), no cheerleaders and no friends to talk to. Instead – I was by myself in the lane with only the black line on the bottom of the pool to keep me company. Because it was such a beautiful day – the pool was relatively empty and I counted maybe 3-4 people who came and went during my swim. The lifeguards swapped positions from in and out of the chair every half-hour. There was no one to hand me a cup of water – instead I reached in my bag of tricks every thirty minutes or so to ferret out a gel or some liquid nourishment. There were no signs saying “Way to Go Courtney…You Can Do It!” – just me and my thoughts. There was no one at the “finish line” saying “Congratulations” or handing me White House Rolls and no bag to pick-up from bag check. The whole “event” was relatively anticlimactic. When I left the building – the nice receptionist did say “Wow…you swam for a long time today.” I left the building and walked through the empty parking lot, got in my car and drove away.

But, at times during my swim, I found myself thinking about the similarities. There is a Ukrop’s sign inside the pool and I found myself looking at that and pretending that this was my own Ukrop’s event. As I walked into the building for my swim – my friend Bobby was coming out and wished me luck as I’m sure he would have done if I been running downtown. But, mostly, I thought about the strength and fortitude it takes to accomplish any sporting event. As I’ve said many times, it is about what it takes to dig deep within yourself to push your own limits – from both a mental and physical perspective. There were times yesterday when I was reminded how utterly mind-numbing it is to swim by yourself in a pool for hours and I thought – there is no one watching me and I could just get out and go home…no one would know. But, that would mean failing at goal I had set for myself. I also know that during this mind-numbing aloneness I have some of my best training – as I’m certain I will feel extremely alone in the Catalina Channel in September in the cold, dark of the night. And, just as I had to overcome my challenges yesterday, I’m sure there were many people out on Monument Avenue who had to dig deep to find the energy and courage to continue to run or to take that next step. When they reached the finish line – I’m certain it was all worth it. And, it wasn’t because there was someone at the finish line telling them they did a great job. It was the sheer pride of accomplishment.

When I walked out of the pool and drove away yesterday – I, too, had the pride of accomplishment…having pushed myself through another mind-numbing pool training swim. And, I was grateful that, next week, I will at least have the pleasure of doing my long swim outside. To celebrate – I got my own package of White House Rolls, came home, warmed-up a few in the oven, added some butter and looked back fondly on another great 10k day!

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Boston Light Swim

Posted on March 1, 2013 by courtneypaulk

Today….I registered for my third Boston Light Swim! I’m so excited that it will be held on the one-year anniversary of my English Channel Swim. It was after my first BLS that I decided to tackle the triple crown…so it has a very special place in my heart. And, it is extremely well run and beautiful.

It will also be one month before my Catalina Channel Swim. This summer is starting to shape up!

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English Channel Report #2

Posted on February 15, 2013 by courtneypaulk

Again…I recognize it has taken me a REALLY long time to post this. Matt has had some health issues over the last few months. In any event, I hope you enjoy the post!

So, we had our own Groundhog Day. We got up again on Friday at 2:00 a.m. and headed to Dover. Only, this time, I was able to get out of my clothes, slather on some zinc oxide to protect my skin and Vaseline for the chaffing. I jumped in a little after 4:00 a.m., swam to Shakespeare Beach and headed off on my journey to France.

The first few hours were pretty uneventful. I’ve been asked many times what it is like to swim in the dark. It is a little scary. But, primarily, it is a little disorienting. It is dark in the water and dark outside – like swimming in a big cocoon. I could see the lights on the boat – but that was about it. I actually found it peaceful. And, I was so happy to be in the English Channel swimming towards France that I really didn’t notice too much. I was a bit chilly…without the sun. But, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. And, when the sun finally started coming up after a few hours I was most grateful to have the warmth on my back – not necessarily the light.

Many swimmers struggle with stomach issues during long swims like this – and I am no exception. It is the bobbing of the ocean, the feeds, the intake of salt water, the smell of the boat fumes, and, of course, the adrenaline. About two hours into the swim, I was feeling very ill. I tend to vomit about 3 hours into any long swim. But, this time it was a little over 2 hours into the swim. Thankfully, I didn’t know how long I had been swimming because I wasn’t wearing a watch…I really didn’t want to know how long I had been swimming.

Usually, after I “Feed the Fish” I feel instantly better – but, I didn’t this time. The salt water was REALLY bothering my mouth and my feeds didn’t seem to be digesting. The salt water does a number on your mouth. My lips and tongue usually swell and, a few days after a swim in really salty water, the sides of my tongue usually peel off. YUM!

The way I feed is pretty typical – every thirty minutes I take in a mixture of Perpetuem which has carbs and protein plus a little powdered Gatorade for flavor. Once an hour I usually take in a gel or something else. My goal is to get 250 calories in per hour. This helps with energy and with body warmth. When your calories drop – your body temp drops. So it is extremely important to keep those calories coming (and staying) on board. I also have Vaseline available to slather onto my lips and mouth to help with the salt. The one thing I had not used before was canned peaches in syrup. I had heard that the syrup helped a lot with the salt effects on the tongue. About 3 ½ hours in – I stopped and said that my tongue was killing me. Eric asked if we had any canned peaches and I said – OH YEAH – let’s try those. So, at my next feed they sent out a cup with some canned peaches. They were the best thing I have ever tasted. They slid right down – the syrup did its job and coated my tongue and I asked to have those at every feed.

But, unfortunately, I continued to feel a bit sick. Otherwise, everything was going “swimmingly.” I was alternating singing songs to myself and lapsing into what is called a “flow state” – like when you drive for a few miles and you don’t remember having driven them. Your mind just kind of goes quiet. Then, a little over 7 hours in – all of the sickness that I had been holding onto came up. I vomited, and I vomited… and I vomited. I would start to swim and the feeding of the fish would start again. Thankfully, canned peaches aren’t too bad when they come back up! But, vomiting in the water is really pretty disgusting – it lands right in front of your face and you just have to push it away. I also try to be somewhat polite and turn away from the boat!

After that, I felt as good as I had felt all day and I thought – this is the beginning of the swim. Head down, one arm and then the other. The next few hours were excellent. I felt good and I seemed to be making good progress. Then, about 10 hours in, the current and the wind picked up off of the coast of France. I could see what is called the Cap – Cap Gris Nez… but it seemed like we were going to pass it. The conditions off the coast of France can be pretty rough. The wind had picked up to what they call Force 5 and it was coming off of the coast. So, I passed the Cap and we waited for the tide to turn heading back up the coast. This is the only part of the swim where my head wanted to give out on me. I could see the Cap and every time I looked up – it didn’t seem as if we were getting any closer.

At 13 hours in – all of the stress of seeing France and not making any progress caught up to me. I stopped and asked Matt how much longer and he told me to just put my head down and swim. Well…even though that’s what I had told him to say – I didn’t like that answer very much. So, I asked again – very vigorously. And, he yelled back and said put your head down and swim. I really didn’t like that…so, I splashed the water about and said, effectively… “Just tell me how much farther” and he yelled back and I started to swim again. Then, I started to cry…in my goggles. I thought why didn’t he just lie to me and say 2 more hours – or anything. I wouldn’t have known anyway since I didn’t have a watch. Then, I made myself stop crying because it was silly and I didn’t want my goggles to fill up with tears…there was enough salt out there. I think Eric sensed that I needed a little pick me up. After about 5 minutes, he came out of the cockpit and stopped me and he said in his perfect south England accent – you’re doin’ great love – no more messin’ about – just get on with the swimming – your next feed is likely to be your last feed – now get on with the swimming. That was all I needed. I put my head down and thought, I’m going to make it. I’m really going to make it.

I never doubted during the swim…but, I never really let myself believe I was going to make it either. I just tried to live in the moment as best I could. But, at that point, I let myself believe and it was awesome.

The next hour was unevently. I did my last feed and as we got close to shore, Eric came out and explained to me that he was going to stop about 500 meters away from shore, that I was to swim to shore, clear the water, get my rock and swim back to the boat. If I didn’t think I could make it back to the boat, I was to raise my hands in an x over my head and they would bring the dinghy to shore to get me.

I swam away from the boat and after a few minutes, my hand hit the sand. I tried to stand up and fell over a bit. The water was VERY shallow – but, I still had quite a ways to go to clear it. So, I decided it would be easier to just try to keep swimming than walk. I stood up a few more times and then walked to shore. There was a couple down the beach getting married and I didn’t want to disturb their wedding – so I walked the other way to find my rock. It is an English Channel tradition that the swimmer gets a rock as a memento of their swim. Some swimmers have to hunt for a rock, but when I hit the shore there were literally hundreds of rocks. I was so overwhelmed – I looked down and waited for one to speak to me. One did and I picked it up and turned back towards the boat.

I expected to feel this great sense of relief or accomplishment…but I really didn’t. I was happy and relieved – but I didn’t really have a huge WOW moment on the beach. The cruel trick in an English Channel swim is that, after you finish – you have to swim BACK to the boat. And, by the time I got my toes back in the water, I had started to shake…I expect because my body was starting to warm-up in the sun. I frantically tried to figure out what to do with the massive rock that I had picked up while I was swimming back to the boat. I shoved it in the back of my suit and headed back to the boat. Not only do you have to swim back but you have to get yourself onto the boat, then get yourself dried and covered up quickly before the shakes come and the channel cramp hits you’re your hands.

When I hit the boat – the first thing I asked was “how long did it take me.” For some reason I expected to hear 18 hours – which wouldn’t have made any sense given that the sun was still up. If I had swum 18 hours it would have been 10:00 p.m. Matt told me 14 hours, four minutes and 44 seconds…and I was thrilled!

It is a 2 ½ hour ride back to England. I don’t really remember much of the ride back except that I laid down and shook for a bit. But Matt did get me up as we were getting close to England so I could see the most amazing sunset over the White Cliffs of Dover. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

When we got back to the dock we headed back to the house and it took me several more hours before I really warmed up and stopped shaking. And, when I laid down in bed that night – when Matt was still downstairs with the crew and several friends who had joined us in England – that is the first time it really hit me. And, I said out loud, sitting by myself – I am a Channel Swimmer. I will never get tired of saying it.

It was an amazing journey and, thankfully, it isn’t over yet. I have the Catalina Channel swim scheduled for September 2013.

Posted in English Channel, Triple Crown | 1 Comment

English Channel Video

Posted on October 16, 2012 by courtneypaulk

Here’s a video showing the journey! Enjoy!

Posted in English Channel, Triple Crown, Uncategorized, Videos | 3 Comments

Channel Report #1

Posted on October 10, 2012 by courtneypaulk

So…I recognize that this has taken me a long time to post. I hope that the substance of the post addresses that. And, I further recognize that I haven’t even posted a full report. I promise it will be finished and completed soon…in the meantime, here is installment one! And, I will be posting some video 🙂

On August 10, 2012, I swam across the English Channel. It took me 14 hour 4 minutes and 44 seconds to swim from Shakespeare Beach (just south of Dover) to Tardinghen, France (near Wissant and Cap Gris Nez). I expect, if you’ve found your way here, you probably know that…but, still, I like saying it. It is like when you first get married and you introduce your spouse as your “wife” or “husband” for the first few months – it feels odd and fun all at the same time. So…now I am a Channel Swimmer…I’m not sure I will ever get tired of saying it.

I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to write this blog entry. As you might expect, it has taken quite a while for this accomplishment to sink-in. And, frankly, I’m not sure it really has. I look at pictures and video and talk about it and, while it may seem a little trite – it is still completely surreal to me that I did it…that I am a Channel Swimmer. Many days I have looked at my watch and thought – I got up 12 hours ago…that seems like a really long time ago. Then I think, how the heck did I swim for 14 hours. A few days ago I walked outside in shorts and a t-shirt and it was 64 degrees and I actually got a little chill. I thought…seriously…I swam for 14 hours in 62-63 degree water…and I’m getting a chill in 64 degree air. But, perhaps the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with is the “down” feeling that inevitably comes after an monumental event like this. I hesitate to say “depression” because I’m certainly not depressed. And the outpouring of well-wishes has been amazing, overwhelming and appreciated. But, for the last two years, the bulk of my time away from work has been singularly focused on one goal. I analyzed everything I did…eating, drinking, sleeping, stretching, extra-curricular activities that might have been dangerous…and, of course, every swim and how to accomplish exactly what I felt I needed to in my training. Suddenly…all of that disappeared. I thought it would be freeing and, at first, it was. But now, I’m feeling a bit lost because there is simply no denying that it is done…I have done it. And, I think to write about it, to write this blog entry, was the final acknowledgement that it truly is done…the goal has been accomplished. I didn’t expect to have mixed emotions…but, there it is, I do. Elated and somewhat sad all at the same time…

But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Most people have inquired about the journey …and quite a journey it was. On August 4^th, Matt and I arrived in Heathrow and met our friend Nate who was also arriving from the U.S. We picked up our rental car and I was the lucky one who got to drive on the opposite side of the car and the road for the first time. We crammed all the stuff (and Nate) into the car and headed to Walmer – about 3 hours away. It was quite an adventure …as I continued to get stuck in roundabouts or took the wrong exits out of the roundabouts just trying to get to the highway.

We arrived in Walmer and found the house we had rented…a beautiful old house called “Church House” – which I would highly recommend to any future channel swimmers. I wanted to go for a short swim…as, I had, of course, been dreaming of putting my toes in the English Channel for a VERY long time. So we got settled and headed to the beach. Nate decided to take a dip with me and we went for a short 30 minute swim. The water was chilly – but as I expected, about 63. It was also extremely salty – also about what I expected. But, after 30 minutes I was already starting to chafe a little and my mouth could definitely feel the impact of the salt. Good to know so I could take it into account for my swim.

The next day, our friends Todd and Mary were to arrive and we had a quiet morning at the house while Nate went out exploring. Then, later that afternoon – Nate and I went for another swim – a little longer this time. I was feeling comfortable and ready.

On Monday the 6^th we had arranged to meet my boat captain – Eric – in Dover to see the boat and discuss the swim. Eric is an excellent boat pilot and has exactly the right demeanor to lead a swimmer across the English Channel. He is witty, warm and pragmatic. He said he expected that I would be going off either Thursday or Friday – a little earlier than I expected. Originally there were two swimmers before me during my “tide” – but swimmer #2 had his passport stolen and had been delayed leaving South Africa. As a result, that meant I was bumped into second position.

By way of explanation, swimmers typically book swims during the “neap” tides. There are two types of tides – neap tides and spring tides. Neap tides are on the quarter moons and spring tides on the full and half moons. Generally, the shift between low and high tide during the “neap” tides is less extreme. Correspondingly, the shift between low and high tide during the spring tides is more extreme resulting in higher highs and lower lows. As a result, swimming during a neap tide means that you aren’t pushed as far north or as far south when making your journey across the Channel. My neap tide was from August 8 to 16. Each boat pilot books approximately 4 swimmers during each neap tide.

So…when we left the meeting with Eric the plan was that I would likely swim Thursday or Friday. I immediately went into planning mode. While I had certainly been “planning” for quite a long time – this was it. I needed to get my bags packed, additional items purchased, etc. We needed to be ready to go when Eric called.

Matt and I spent Tuesday running around buying things, packing and re-packing with the goal of being ready by Tuesday night. I wanted to rest (and eat) on Wednesday. Wednesday came and we did our best to rest, double-check the bags, hydrate and eat. We confirmed with Eric that we were a go for Thursday at 3:30. I had a relatively bland dinner and headed to bed around 7:00. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

The alarm went off on Thursday at 2:00 a.m.. I got up, showered to loosen the muscles and wake myself up, ate a few boiled eggs and toast and we were off to Dover. The drive from Walmer to Dover is about 15 minutes. As we were heading into Dover, I noticed some fog. I rationalized that it was going to be morning soon – so the fog must be lifting rather that settling in. Also, Walmer sits a bit higher than Dover and I thought that it would make sense for there to be fog higher in the cliffs but, hopefully, not in the Channel. As we were descending into Dover, I noticed a little fog – but nothing that I thought would cancel the swim. Still…when there is fog and it is dark, swimming doesn’t seem quite prudent.

We arrived at Dover Harbor, paid to park, unpacked the car and began carrying the bags to the boat. There was at least one other swimmer loading his boat…there was anxiety and excitement in the air. I was a little concerned about the fog – but trusted Eric and knew that he would not put me in harms way. We boarded the boat and I met our boat observer, Keith, for the first time. Keith was very kind. He obviously understands a swimmer’s stress before a Channel swim. He went over the rules of the swim with me and explained how things would go along the way. It was good to have something to focus on while we began making our way out of Dover Harbor. But, as I looked around, I could tell that the fog was in fact, NOT lifting, but clearly settling in. We could barely see the other boats around us…or the light leading out of the harbor. I tried my best to focus on Keith. Also, the water was extremely rough and the fumes from our boat and another boat nearby were thick. Mary, Todd and Matt were standing in a line on the side of the boat. I sensed that they were not feeling well and that they were being kind enough not to share that with me. I, too, was feeling a little sick to my stomach and the more we traveled towards where I was to start, the more fog there seemed to be. The boat was moving very slowly and it was sloshing about in the chop. Eric, Gary and Keith were huddled-up in the cabin and I could tell that things were not going as planned. Gary kept stepping out of the cabin and looking for landmarks…but there was nothing. We couldn’t see 10 feet beyond the boat. So…I continued to sit in my chair, trying to keep my wits about me and wondering whether I was really going to swim today. But, I thought, I must continue to think as if I am until someone tells me otherwise.

The boat slowed and Eric, Gary and Keith all came out of the cabin and began looking around. Eric explained that there was a 100 foot wall right next to us with lights on it and we couldn’t see it. The doom of an aborted swim began to creep-in. Because the start time is hugely dependent upon the tides in connection with the swimmer’s speed we could not wait an hour or two to see if the fog lifted. Essentially, it was now or a few hours before another high tide. Then – it happened – Eric said we were aborting and heading back to Dover Harbor. Eric said it was the thickest fog he had ever seen in Dover. At first, I was disappointed and a little upset. But, it would have been dangerous and frankly ludicrous for me to start a swim in dense fog at 3:30 in the morning.

When we got back to Dover, Eric and I discussed when to try again. He said the weather looked good for Friday, so I elected to try again Friday morning at pretty much the same time. Eric said he would call me later in the morning to confirm. So we unpacked most of our gear from the boat, repacked the car and headed back to Walmer.

When we got back to the house we all headed back to bed. We would have another 2:00 a.m. wake up call on Friday. Eric called later that morning and said we looked good for a 4:00 a.m. start on Friday. But, he asked if I would consider heading out on Thursday afternoon and swimming into the night. Eric said there was a chance that the wind would pick up off the coast of France on Friday afternoon and that the conditions could impact my swim. He thought that the conditions could be a tad better from Thursday afternoon into Friday. That question prompted a new round of stress. I wanted to go when Eric suggested. But, I had been on a roller coaster ride of emotions over the last 8 hours. And, I was a little concerned about the cold setting in if I swam into the night. Friends had told me that it is much easier to swim into the light than into the dark. I called my friend Mo who had given me great advice before I left for England – but I couldn’t get in touch with him before I had to make the call…Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. My gut was telling me Friday morning. I was more concerned about the effect of the cold than the chop. I train in chop…I do well in chop. Cold water for a really long time and night swimming were lesser known factors. And, primarily, I felt like my head wasn’t going to be ready to go 12 hours after we aborted. So…I made the call – Friday morning it would be.

Posted in English Channel, Triple Crown, Uncategorized | 2 Comments