Our first day in Folkestone we met a swimmer that was scheduled to swim across to France the next day. He was about to go for a warm-up swim and looked nervous about the rough weather/waters and how they would effect his chances the next day. We decided to rest, and hope that the weather got better the following day.
It was a good thing we waited, because the water was perfect and calm for us on Friday. We hoped that meant a good chance for our Channel Swimmer. I have to admit that I was still intimidated by the cold, milky-white water, and it was really unsettling not being able to see my hand after it entered the water.
After a while I got used to it and felt great for working through the fear. I really enjoyed the rest of the swim and felt totally exhilarated moving through the water. We went again the next day, and had an even better time. It was a bit sunny, so the optimistic locals all came out to enjoy the last of summer.
We were the only ones in the water, so I felt a bit like the entertainment as I struggled to get on my wetsuit. I swam out quite a bit further that day, and felt pretty secure in the super-salty buoyant sea. At one time J got worried and swam by to check on me. I just flashed him a smile and said I was having FUN!
We swam almost every day, and the waves started to build as the weather got rougher. I got some good experience swimming in heavier chop and swells than I'm used to, and it helped me feel more confident about the upcoming St Croix Coral Reef Swim.
Tomorrow I do my first 2-mile swim in Lake Washington (back on home turf) and get to see if swimming in the English Channel helped my training out. Of course I never attempted the crossing to France, but a man from Finland completed it on the day our friend was scheduled--I think he made it!
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