CuttingWater

Friday, April 9, 2010

To shave or not...


Question of the day:

Should I shave before a real long swim, such as an English Channel Crossing?

I coach youth swimming, pool racing, focusing on speed. At certain levels of competition, primarily teens and adult with full body hair, yes, shaving can take off hundredths of a second....but the main thing shaving does, is put your MIND into a FAST frame. Shaving helps psych you up.

I don't believe shaving in LONG swims, makes you faster or makes you colder. I shave my arms and legs before a channel swim, primarily because it is a COOL feeling. It is part of my preparation. It's a personal decision.

I don't think the hair keeps you warm, if you're ready for 60 degree water, a little hair on your body is not going to help.

Swim for the day: 9000 yards

Swim: 3 x 800 (12 min)

Pull Tube: 4 x 200 (3:10) ***alternate Br. pattern per 200
Fulcrum: 200 (modified Catch-up stroke
Pull Buoy: 4 x 200 (3:10) ***

Swim: 2 x 800 (12 min)

Rev. Hans Paddles: 8 x 100 (1:35/1:40) 25 Catch-up per 100
Big Paddles: 4 x 200 (3:10) 50 Catch-up per 200
Reg. Hans Paddles: 2 x 400 (6:15) 25 Catch-up per 100

Swim: 1 x 800
9000/ Total for week 35,000 yds

Have a wonderful day.


Dream, Prepare, Succeed.
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2015 ... Swimming for Homes for the Brave

After spending the past 20 years paddling from Dover to France, it is time to venture into new waters, while helping some special people.
Soon, I will be traveling with my A-team to Scotland to swim the length of the famous Loch Ness.
As always, I try to help a Foundation raise funds and awareness and I thank you for interest and support.
I am deeply troubled with the thought of homeless individuals, especially in our US Veteran population.

That is why I am teaming up with our Connecticut-based “Homes for the Brave”. Can you imagine not having a place to call home?

Here is more information about Homes for the Brave! -Facebook pages – https://www.facebook.com/pages/ABRIHomes-for-the-Brave/199613606735630?ref=hl

- Annual Appeal with more information about our financials and programs- http://www.homesforthebrave.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/HFTB-2014-Annual-Report-FINAL.pdf

-Check donations can be mailed to the following address:
Homes for the Brave
655 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604

- Donations can be made online as well: https://homesforthebrave.isecuresites.com/products/index.php?type=1110

Please write “Loch Ness Swim/Marcy” to track your donation.


I will always be dedicating my swimming to all those battling cancer and in the memory of 4 special people in my life. Cancer first hit my family when I was young. My grand-aunt Eleanor Kersavage, passed away with uterine cancer and my Auntie Bea Halchak battled with brain cancer.

On January 1, 2002, our LEHY family lost Nikki Giampolo to bone cancer, just turning 16 years old. Her spirit still lives on in our East Hartford swim team.

In July of 2009, my brother-in-law, Gregory Allen Urban, who passed away, after a valient battle with lung cancer. I can see him now, talking about cars and projects around the house, music and his family.

I know Aunties, Eleanor and Bea, Nikki, Greg and all the angels will help me CUT through all this water this summer.

The St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, based in Bridgeport, CT provides financial support for the needs that Health insurance companies don't cover, in addition to providing affordable cancer screening, wigs, medication and other things to make life easier for those suffering with cancer and their families.

Please make a donation, and thank you.

Online donations can be made at: http://give.stvincents.org

or you can send a check through the post to:

Swim Across the Sound
St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation
2800 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203)576-5451

Thank you so very much, peace and good health to all.