M
Mary
I know that valve replacements are compared to a journey over the mountain, but I don't really want to climb a mountain. I can't think of any reason why I would ever want to climb a mountain. I look at mountains, and think, NO WAY! 
So, I am going to consider my surgery a long distance swim. I know that most VRers will think of me as climbing a mountain, but in my mind, I'm swimming the English Channel.
Anyway, I've got my will, living will and power of attorney papers notarized and ready to go. I've got phone numbers entered in the cell phone. I have started making final lists of what animals and plants need what while we're gone. I'm getting a manicure and pedicure tonight (clear polish) so when everything else feels yucky, I will have attractive hands and feet!
I've called the hospital to determine the arrival time for the heart cath on Monday (I had put it off in hopes that I couldn't have surgery if I didn't find out ). And, my Heart Hugger arrived today! I think I have almost everything taken care of.
I just need to find my flippers, goggles, and swim cap and hope the plunge into the water is quick and tolerable!
Commonly Asked Questions
How far is it across the Channel? Approximately 21 miles (32 kilometres)
How is it that some people have had to swim for many more miles than that? The shortest distance is 21 miles - but on either side of this, the French Coastline drops away, so you have further to go to make landfall. You will swim over the surface of the sea for 21 miles (or more) BUT the sea moves its surface many miles from side to side as the Tide ebbs and flows. You may deduce from this that unless a miracle happens and there is no Tide (!!) on your Swim day the only way you could cross the Channel in a straight line would be if you could counteract the effect of the Tide by swimming against it. But this would be a waste of valuable energy.....you will get tired - the Tide will not!
How long is it likely to take? Once you can provide a realistic report of your sustainable Swim-speed in cold, open water - then you, your Trainer and your Pilot will be ready to relate this information to the conditions you might expect to meet in the Channel!
What sort of sea conditions should I expect? You should discuss your experience of Open-water swimming with your Pilot and agree on what is safe and reasonable. Sea-state can change very quickly, with little warning (see Information/Registration Pack). The Pilots have considerable knowledge of the local waters and you will expect them to give you a fair chance of a successful swim without placing you at risk. The Pilot will retain the right to stop the swim if he considers it inadvisable to continue.
What temperature is the water in the Channel? During the Swim season (July to September) you may expect the temperature to range from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. July starts off cold..... August has the best of it..... September can cool off quickly if the air temperature drops!
Are there any Training Facilities available? Some swimmers are able to arrive several weeks in advance of their Swim date - and can complete their distance-training, cold-water acclimatisation, and make use of the open beaches. (But this is hardly the time to make radical changes to your Swim-stroke, Feeding pattern or Diet!) Whenever you arrive, you will undoubtedly meet other swimmers who are preparing for their own attempt - who will be happy to swim with you.
What about Feeding, during the Swim? Don't forget to bring adequate supplies of your preferred feed and refreshment. You are advised to try out several different ways of taking refreshment from a helper - by cup .. by bottle/squeeze-pack etc. .. handed directly to you (without direct contact!) ..from a feeding-pole and cup .. by bottle on a line etc.,so that you are prepared for most eventualities.
Do I need to use Grease? Most Swimmers use Grease. Some cover themselves liberally to keep out the cold as much as possible ... others just apply Grease to the 'rubbing' areas (neck/shoulders, arm-pits, groin, etc). Grease ('Channel Swimmer's Grease') is now very difficult to obtain locally and you should experiment to find out what is most suitable for you and be prepared to make up your own blend
Are all Swims done in daylight? You should be prepared to swim in twilight, (or in the dark) for part of your swim. Some Swimmers will swim on a Night Tide. Bring (or arrange) a supply of 'Light-Sticks', and devise a suitable method of attachment to you.
What should I bring with me? Spare Goggles ... Spare Cap ... Spare Clothing ... adequate Towelling ... Blanket or Sleeping Bag ... Feed ... Grease ... (this is by no means a complete list!!). Come well prepared.
Can I take my own assistants/friends/supporters with me? By prior arrangement with your Pilot - according to his own discretion and the numbers permitted by his commercial licence.
Are there Sharks in the Channel? Its too jolly cold for most sharks ... and sightings are so rare that you won't need a cage!
So, I am going to consider my surgery a long distance swim. I know that most VRers will think of me as climbing a mountain, but in my mind, I'm swimming the English Channel.
Anyway, I've got my will, living will and power of attorney papers notarized and ready to go. I've got phone numbers entered in the cell phone. I have started making final lists of what animals and plants need what while we're gone. I'm getting a manicure and pedicure tonight (clear polish) so when everything else feels yucky, I will have attractive hands and feet!
I've called the hospital to determine the arrival time for the heart cath on Monday (I had put it off in hopes that I couldn't have surgery if I didn't find out
). And, my Heart Hugger arrived today! I think I have almost everything taken care of.I just need to find my flippers, goggles, and swim cap and hope the plunge into the water is quick and tolerable!
Commonly Asked Questions
How far is it across the Channel? Approximately 21 miles (32 kilometres)
How is it that some people have had to swim for many more miles than that? The shortest distance is 21 miles - but on either side of this, the French Coastline drops away, so you have further to go to make landfall. You will swim over the surface of the sea for 21 miles (or more) BUT the sea moves its surface many miles from side to side as the Tide ebbs and flows. You may deduce from this that unless a miracle happens and there is no Tide (!!) on your Swim day the only way you could cross the Channel in a straight line would be if you could counteract the effect of the Tide by swimming against it. But this would be a waste of valuable energy.....you will get tired - the Tide will not!
How long is it likely to take? Once you can provide a realistic report of your sustainable Swim-speed in cold, open water - then you, your Trainer and your Pilot will be ready to relate this information to the conditions you might expect to meet in the Channel!
What sort of sea conditions should I expect? You should discuss your experience of Open-water swimming with your Pilot and agree on what is safe and reasonable. Sea-state can change very quickly, with little warning (see Information/Registration Pack). The Pilots have considerable knowledge of the local waters and you will expect them to give you a fair chance of a successful swim without placing you at risk. The Pilot will retain the right to stop the swim if he considers it inadvisable to continue.
What temperature is the water in the Channel? During the Swim season (July to September) you may expect the temperature to range from 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. July starts off cold..... August has the best of it..... September can cool off quickly if the air temperature drops!
Are there any Training Facilities available? Some swimmers are able to arrive several weeks in advance of their Swim date - and can complete their distance-training, cold-water acclimatisation, and make use of the open beaches. (But this is hardly the time to make radical changes to your Swim-stroke, Feeding pattern or Diet!) Whenever you arrive, you will undoubtedly meet other swimmers who are preparing for their own attempt - who will be happy to swim with you.
What about Feeding, during the Swim? Don't forget to bring adequate supplies of your preferred feed and refreshment. You are advised to try out several different ways of taking refreshment from a helper - by cup .. by bottle/squeeze-pack etc. .. handed directly to you (without direct contact!) ..from a feeding-pole and cup .. by bottle on a line etc.,so that you are prepared for most eventualities.
Do I need to use Grease? Most Swimmers use Grease. Some cover themselves liberally to keep out the cold as much as possible ... others just apply Grease to the 'rubbing' areas (neck/shoulders, arm-pits, groin, etc). Grease ('Channel Swimmer's Grease') is now very difficult to obtain locally and you should experiment to find out what is most suitable for you and be prepared to make up your own blend
Are all Swims done in daylight? You should be prepared to swim in twilight, (or in the dark) for part of your swim. Some Swimmers will swim on a Night Tide. Bring (or arrange) a supply of 'Light-Sticks', and devise a suitable method of attachment to you.
What should I bring with me? Spare Goggles ... Spare Cap ... Spare Clothing ... adequate Towelling ... Blanket or Sleeping Bag ... Feed ... Grease ... (this is by no means a complete list!!). Come well prepared.
Can I take my own assistants/friends/supporters with me? By prior arrangement with your Pilot - according to his own discretion and the numbers permitted by his commercial licence.
Are there Sharks in the Channel? Its too jolly cold for most sharks ... and sightings are so rare that you won't need a cage!
