Nigel asked me to write a quick description of my swim across the Lake Ontario. As a triathlete and not a”true” swimmer my experience, I’m sure, was a little different then most.
After speaking with other successful lake swimmers I quickly realized that nutrition is the most controllable element of a marathon swim as many swimmers get sick or bonk.
During the first part of my training I experimented with tuna, gel, almonds, Boost, yogurt and PB sandwiches. When I first met with Nigel he had a good laugh at my diet. He quickly laid out his nutrition recommendations of gel, sodium & water at 20 minute intervals. I immediately took his advice and the results were quite apparent after my next eight hour swim. I felt strong throughout and had minimal soreness the next day.
My “swim master” representing Solo Swims of Ontario has the record for the fastest time across the lake. He questioned me the morning of my swim about my nutrition plans. He made quite apprehensive about the food I was planning to use. To make things worse, after my fist feeding, a couple of kilometers from the Niagara shore one of three Hammer Gel bottles rocked to the bottom of the lake after bouncing off a zodiac boat. Luckily I had extra single portion packs onboard. As the initial hours past and the sun began to slowly set I would occasionally assess how I was feeling and only then think about my stomach. Throughout the entire 19 hours in the water my energy level was normal and I felt great. The added bonus to a gel diet is the rapid feeding time which is big factor in cold water. My body temperature could drop a full degree or two in a minutes time.
Nigel’s expertise became quiet evident again during my taper. As athletes know, tapering can more difficult then the actual body of training. You have to come to the realization that your training is finished and have the confidence that you are prepared. Nigel laid out my sharpening and taper perfectly and the week leading up the swim I felt great.
Many have asked “what do you think about for so long” – well… when I was 5km out from the Toronto islands and the water dipped down to 63F. I was thinking about warmer water. Mostly I was hoping that the water wasn’t going to get any colder as my hands and feet were loosing sensation. For the few days following the event I had some edema in most of my joints.
The experience as whole was fantastic. People, whom I would have never expected, stepped up quickly with support and fundraising assistance. As with most of my athletic endeavors the training & planning journey was the most enjoyable part.
Sick Kids is now $25,000 ahead and I have the honour to being listed below Marilyn Bell’s name 55 years later in a small park in Niagara on the Lake as a successful solo swimmer.
Many thanks to the people that supported my fundraising efforts for the hospital.
Shaun Chisholm