As previously posted, an evening seminar on nutrition was discussed for the swimmers in Myrtleville.  Certainly, nutrition does seem to be high on the Myrtlevillian agenda.  Rather than a big long seminar, I thought we might just focus on one thing – the golden nutrition period of 45 minutes post-swim, AKA the muscle recovery window.

As the saying goes – here’s the science bit: this is the time when muscles are restored, repaired and regenerated.  All of the processes that help repair damaged muscle tissue, build new muscle and replenish muscle energy are activated immediately after exercise.  It is almost as if a switch was turned on.  However, this switch has a timer.  After 45 minutes it automatically turns off.  We call this 45 minute interval the “muscle recovery window.”  To take full advantage, all you have to is consume the right combination of nutrients within 45 minutes after a workout.

That all sounds fair enough, doesn’t it?  I don’t think there’s a problem with getting our elite swimmers to consume nutrients in the 45 minute window, so let’s just focus on six words there – “consume the right combination of nutrients”.

Where in those six words does it say “cake”, “sticky buns”, “custard slices”, “sausages” etc etc etc?  Hmmmmm?

Back to the drawing board for the nutrition plan – or the frying pan and oven, maybe.

I personally didn’t get into swimming because I wanted to do loads of laps or distances in the sea.  It’s ended up that way a bit, but I do try to remember the reason I started sea swimming was I was really, really fat: feckin’ huge I absolutely loved splashing in waves at a beach whenever I got the chance. Hours, I’d be in there.  Saturday morning was a reminder of that.  Not much swimming, but a great start to the day.

Lots of people went in and watched out for each other.   Of course, it didn’t look too enticing at first.

Anne hides her real feelings about the state of the sea (or not) while Breda goes into another of her karmic trances (It IS sunny and calm. It IS sunny and calm).

James Slowey was first in and dispensing advice on his way out.  “I wouldn’t go in there if I was you”, was the advice.  The beard was weighing him down.

You did need to have a bit of focus to get in – gaps in the waves were in short supply.

It was like a bath when you got in, though.  Like a bath.

Warm, fluffy waves to snuggle into in Myrtleville. Toasty, like.

Swim tonight at 6.00.  Forecast is still a little Easterly but much lighter than the weekend, so hopefully some swimming will be possible.  We can’t go playing all the time!

I think we all knew there might be some potential for confusion if the pictures of “lots of flesh and some people in rubber suits” were to be touted on the web, but it was amazing to discover in the Examiner on Saturday that we are, in fact, Property Porn.

David McWilliams says that “property pornographers peddle lifestyle fetishes to the middle classes”.  So, not just a porn site, we’re a fetish site too!  Incredible.  Apparently, promoting the aspirational lifestyle of the Myrtleville Swimmer adds value to properties. You think I’m making this up?

Selling the aspirational lifestye of the Myrtleville Swimmer.

Text a bit small?  Here’s the most important part.

Just in case you missed our bit.

Lifestyles of the idle rich – that’s us.  They must have Denis Cregan-Condon in mind. I wonder what our cut from the sale will be?  Enough for a night out in Bunny’s and The Pine Lodge, surely 🙂

After the night with Eilis, there was some discussion about organising another evening event.  “Nutrition for swimmers” was the topic being suggested.  At first I thought it would be a very good idea.  Then I considered the group of swimmers we have in Myrtleville.  To be fair, if it’s one thing they’re experts on – it’s their own nutrition.

100% not nutritionally challenged.

There’s no way they’ll miss out on the key 45 minute post-swim window to replenish the food supply to the muscles.  They’d hardly miss 45 seconds.

Pat Lowry ensuring that the ‘golden window’ for post-swim nutrition isn’t missed. Feed ’em on the beach, says Pat.

If anyone is feeling a weakness on the way home after all the sausages and cake, just have some Smash pre-made and ready for when you come in the door.  That’ll fill you up.

The only nutrition tip you need. None of that fresh food rubbish.

A reminder that the Bunny Swims are going ahead next weekend:

Remember, if this is your first weekend back, be smart, don’t stay in too long, swim with someone for company, and wrap up warm afterwards. This weekend schedule is all about starting to reacclimatise and the social catch-up!

As an added bonus for the weekend, we’re having a Bunny Ears competition.  Whoever has the best ears will get Finbarr Hedderman’s medals for his North Channel Swim, which Siobhan Russell is sick of dusting.

Anne Sheehy has got her entry in early.

It’s a good attempt, Anne, but not a great attempt.  I’m sure there will be lots of others trying to beat this and win Finbarr’s medals.

By the way, while we’re talking about Anne, what – I wonder – was she saying to Gary here?  Maybe: “I thought that didn’t happen until after you went into cold water?”  or, “Not even a HARCON shower’s going to help you there, Gary.”

Swim Safe this weekend and always 🙂