Fresh off of completing an Ironman distance triathlon, Mike Solberg decided to fulfill a goal 30 years in the making by swimming the English Channel in late 2009. But he also wanted to make it especially meaningful to a group of school children in Angola.
In this podcast, Mike and I talk about his amazing experience, and how the journey still continues despite him having completed this monumental accomplishment. Be sure to listen in as Mike gives his special insight into what it takes to swim the English Channel – and what it’s like to do it for a cause.
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to swim the English Channel? In this podcast, we speak with Todd Paul and his trainer Craig Strong who spent the better part of 2009 preparing for what’s considered by many to be the ultimate long distance swimming challenge.
Join us in this fascinating story where we talk about the entire experience, and give you an in-depth look at what it takes to actually train for and complete the 21 mile swim from the cliffs of Dover to the coast of France.
Swimming the English Channel: An Interview with Todd Paul and Craig Strong
Key highlights:
(1:00) Why swim the English Channel?
(3:35) Planning and preparing for a Channel crossing
(7:25) Swim schedules and workouts leading up to the event
(13:05) Nutrition, cross training, and managing the “inner game” of long distance swimming
(21:55) The swim start – from arriving in England to beginning the journey
(26:20) Todd’s first few hours – marine wildlife encounters and sensory deprivation
(31:40) Craig’s perspective from the boat – from a strong start to an uncertain several hours with the coastline just in the distance
(49:35) The beach landing – the last and most difficult mile, an unexpected jellyfish encounter, the thrill of touching the ground, and a brief but euphoric celebration
Every so often cities such as Chicago, Evanston, and Wilmette will close down their beaches due to higher than normal bacterial counts. Have you ever wondered why that happens?
In this podcast, we speak with Todd Connor who is a candidate for Commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Be sure to listen in as we talk about the history of the district, how it operates, and why we should be concerned about who’s watching over Lake Michigan.
