With the fall behind us, and the winter season beginning here in western Pennsylvania, open water swimming will be out of commission for a few months! While I enjoy taking the plunge into the frigid waters around Pittsburgh throughout the winter months, I will have to travel south or the west coast to find water to train. We are hard at work planning for 2013, as well as the forming of a committee to revamp the Team Forever mission to assist those less fortunate – more details to come!
Training and cross-training has continued to push my limits, as I am enjoying taking part in trail running, cycling and lifting at the gym. While I typically continue these activities year round, they are significantly tapered off when it comes time to train hard in the months leading up to my marathon swims. With the Cook Strait a little over four months away, I have really started to kick up the training in the pool, the trails and at the gym. I have struggled a little to keep the weight on for the upcoming cold swims (primarily in the North Channel) as it is difficult to do that when exercising as much as I am; even more in the coming months. Swimming is an amazing sport, but it surely can take the weight off your frame!
I am entertaining all ideas as to how I can train for the cold of the North Channel, as there is simply no way I could train where I live once the warm (then hot) weather sets in the spring and coming summer. I have taken a look at Endless Pools, to see if there was possibly a way to maintain a water temperature of 50-55 throughout the spring and summer, however at this point they do not have a cooling agent which can do this. Once April hits, the water in the lakes around Pittsburgh will climb into the upper-50s and eventually into the 60s – a temperature which is great for most swimming, but not when we examine the extreme cold of the water around Ireland. I know I will find a way to complete my task – a challenge I am looking forward to completing!
The motivational speaking engagements have been going well, as I have had the honor of presenting to several groups recently, and a few more coming up soon. Anytime I have the opportunity to speak to a group of young adults about motivation and self-empowerment, I am all for it! Please contact me via my website, or Facebook if you are interested in having me speak at your next event – I promise to not disappoint!
I hope everyone has an excellent upcoming Thanksgiving holiday with those closest to you. I am forever thankful for the amazing people in the open water community I have had the honor to swim with, and become friends with. Our bond with open water is a unique one, and something I thank the Lord every time I get to share that gift with others! Continue pushing yourself to accomplish your dreams, and never be afraid to open up a new door which you never thought could be possible. You never know what you might find you have a knack at, and I encourage you to never stop exploring!!
Happy Holidays and God Bless!
Darren