The Day of Reckoning

(Thanks for the pictures and for performing the physicals Matt! These two characters, Dr. Laurence Fuortes and Dr. Marek Mikulski, are my bosses at work and kindly gave me the month of July off.

According to Matt, "As you can see ("physicaly fit" [bottom photo]), both Lar and Marek are very buff after extensive physical training and anxiously await your return to complete their part of the deal: you swim the English Channel, they swim the Coralville Reservoir. After an extensive mental health examination (see "mental exam" [top photo]) both Lar and Marek have been given the go ahead on their "Swimming the Reservoir" challenge. These two are so mentally tough; there is little doubt that they can conquer this great feat."

I accept and await this challenge with much anticipation. I also want you to know that I miss the spacious filing cabinet room dearly.)


Hello all. If the weather holds up, as it looks like it will, this will be the last time that I blog before pushing off towards Calais.

I spoke to our caption, Andy King (aka The SeaKing) this morning, and I was told the good news that a Canadian fellow, the number three man, went out early this morning. Unless you hear from me otherwise, I will start tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 6:30 AM (12:30 AM CST) off of Shakespeare Beach. My body and mind are both feeling fresh and apt for the journey.

Thomas and I picked up our last supplies this morning including 12 L of water/fruit juice, Mars Bars, bananas, rope to attach the water bottle to, Zinc cream to heat and mix with petroleum jelly for body grease, safety pins to attach light sticks to (as I will probably finish in the dark), and a large sketch pad for the crew to write jokes, riddles, words of encouragement, and probably profanities to keep me amused and/or motivated.

Thomas is also bringing his suit and goggles to pace with me when the times are tough. We also will probably be joined by Collie, the Aussie, who was the first person to successfully cross this season (only 2 out of the 9 attempts on Monday were good). It will be wonderful to have his expertise aboard. I still need to talk to my friend Iain to see if he can make it down to join us on a rather short notice - as I didn't originally anticipate us moving through the window so quickly.

The rest of today looks like a 30 minute swim, some stretching and yoga, running through last minute check lists, making a few telephone calls (which are costing an arm and a leg by using calling cards at pay phones), eating pasta, and trying to finish my latest book, The Four Minute Mile (a very motivating text about the competition between three milers to break the impossible barrier - and Roger Bannister is able to finally do it while simultaneously juggling his third year of medical school). I finally hope to do a fair bit of resting.

As of yesterday, after summing up the miles in my journal that I have swam since January 1 of this year, I concluded that I have splashed around for 621.5 miles. Based on this, as well as my average stroke rates, I feel confident as long as my body stays warm and my mind does not allow my body to give up.

I appreciate the words of encouragement and thoughts that you all have given me to reflect upon tomorrow. Your support is truly heartwarming, and my deepest hope is to not let any of you down.

With much love and care.

As John and I have been living on weather forecasts, here are what look to be the crucial day specifications...

Sunrise 04:51 (BST) -- 10:51 pm Iowa
Sunset 21:08 (BST) -- 3:08 pm Iowa

High of 64 F
Low of 58 F

Water Temp: 60 F

Winds of around 8 mph

Average wave height in the channel: around 1 meter

At 6:30 BST, John will enter the channel for the last time. I wish him all the best and success or not, I am incredibly proud of all he has sacrificed for this endevour. God speed brother.

Swimming in the Window

I just talked to the skipper of our boat, and we have good news. My friend Collie, the Aussie, had a successful swim yesterday in 16+ hours. We are planning to have a celebratory dinner with him and his wife this evening. They both plan to join us in the boat on my attempt and I will appreciate their expertise and support. Iain, a friend from Oxford, is planning to come down from York to join us as well.

A Canadian chap, the number 2 man, is out on his attempt as we speak. If all goes well, the number 3 man will go tomorrow. Thus, it is looking like I could possibly go on Wednesday. However, if a bad day creeps up I could set sails on Thursday or Friday at the latest. The weather looks good - but then again we are on a very unpredictable island.

I just finished my morning swim and it was the smoothest and warmest yet. I am much more optimistic than a week ago when the conditions were quite the opposite. I also must thank mom for getting me petroleum jelly, which has acted wonderfully to help decrease my neck, shoulders, and triceps chafing. I'm also working on growing a full beard to help insulate my face. I must say I am impressed with it so far.

Except for the terrorist scares in London and the ushering in of the UK's new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, we apologize to be out of the news loop.

We were planning to see the movie Sicko but do not know if time will permit before we leave the island.

After a very busy weekend for London, with the Tour, Wimbledon, and the Live Earth concert, everything seems to be back to the norm now. Dover has remained quiet through it all, as we have come to find out that it is a very popular resort town for retired persons.

Le Tour De France...in England

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The Cantebury Cathedral. This day was actually a pilgrimage day to this cathedral to visit the tomb of Arch Bishop Thomas Beckett. Living in the 13th century, he apparently had the superhuman ability to cure people's gastrointestinal parasites. Im not even kidding.

The final sprint of the riders to the finish line.

The finish line. We had some really great seats.

Brothers.

The presentation of the coveted yellow jersey.

Le Tour de France: The Grand Departure

We have a lot to cover here in a brief amount of time - so please bear with me.

A few days back Thomas and I unsuccessfully tried to besiege the Dover Castle; however, as you can see by the photo it is rather fortified. In consolation, we journeyed up and across the White Cliffs of Dover. It was a most beautiful view looking over the ominous body of water and down the white sheaths of rock. According to an old Dover motto: "Bluebirds will fly over the White Cliffs of Dover tomorrow, you just wait and see..." We are both a bit mystified at its meaning, but we found it to be a bit humerus.

Later that day Thomas went for his first swim in the Harbour. A valiant effort it was, and he even went the next day without a wetsuit! I was able to get a few hour long swims and worked up to a 2.5 hour swim on Saturday. It was the most swimmers I have seen in the Harbour yet, and I enjoyed having a chat with some of them in the water. The Aussie that I had been training with swam yesterday - however, I still do not know the outcome of the swim. I plan to give him a call after this post. The nicest day of our trip was yesterday and it looks to stay nice throughout the week (fingers crossed)!

Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, Thomas and I took the train to Canterbury to see the end of Stage 1 of the Tour de France. We also were able to go to a beautiful service at the Canterbury Cathedral. The Tour stage started in London and rolled through the English countryside. It was a most spectacular event, and we were able to secure spots less than 25 meters from the finish line. After about 2 hours of the caravan of European advertisements, the racers flew by in less than 30 seconds. An Aussie won the stage by breaking away from the peloton at the very last moment. Yesterday, the entire tour entourage actually went through Dover and rode the Sea France ferry across the Channel to begin Stage 2 in France.

We a both now staying at a very quaint youth hostile for the rest of the week. I am obliged to have some of Thomas's famous cooking - although it is mainly just carb-loading. We were also able to mix up a concoction of baby food, rich chocolate ovaltine, crushed mini-wheats, flax seed oil, and some crushed IB Profine. I will subside on this concoction for much of the swim, but I will be able to treat myself to fruit juice, bananas, and power bars when it gets old.

We envy your hot Iowa weather, as yesterday was the first day that we have got any sort of sun. I also have not worn my shorts since I got off the airplane. The next few days we plan to mentally and physically prepare by getting lots of rest.

Still More Pics From Home (Dover)

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What a meal!! As the dollar/pound exchange rate is rather sickening, John and I have been existing exclusively on buying food from a gas station nearby. The meal (anna you would be so proud) consisted of noodles, baked beans, "crumpets", and microwave sausages. mmmmm.

My first dip into the channel's beautiful waters.

Fattening up--American style. Upon coaches orders (me), John has to put on a nice layer of blubber. Really no better way than to force him to eat a family bucket of the colonel's orignal recipe chicken. (note: as john's receeding hairline would indicate, the channel seems to be aging him. just kidding bro)

Our 5 star accomodations. This picture really needs no explanation. £30 per night.

More Pics From Dover

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The Dover Castle. Nestled upon a cliff looking over the town, John and I wanted to visit it but it cost $19 per person--way out of our budget. Thus, we are going to besiege it sometime this week, as we have found a medevil weak spot in the wall...just like old times.

The first casulty of this endeavor. While hiking in the cliffs I managed to lose my footing and spill a bit of blood. Didn't phase us though...obviously because i look so tough.

The White cliffs of dover...if you couldn't tell. The cliffs actually lie more by the towns of Deal and Sandwich but Dover gets all of the glory.

The White cliffs again. "There'll be blue birds over the White cliffs of Dover tomorrow. Just you wait and see"--local motto. John and I laughed for quite some time upon hearing this.