go to 'douglas osborne' on face book for more swim pictures

ALSO THE 'CHANNEL SWIMMERS PILOT FEDERATION' web page when updated will show the results of the channel attempts for my relay team 14hrs 58m with the 'Eltham swim club'2007 and the results of my solo swim 2008  

There is a diary of events below the first intro notes, some details of training and people involved.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online. please note there are 3 events (now 5 events)!  (actually this is getting out of hand, i'm losing it, i'm doing lake windermere again july 2008(done, 6hrs 37mins), also Bupa Great North run '13.1 miles'oct 08 DONE 2HRS 03M24SEC, *Hastings centenary marathon 26.2 miles dec 08) july o7~lake windemere 10half mile swim, channel relay swim late summer 07,  JUST COMPLETED SILVERSTONE 2008 HALF MARATHON 2hrs 05mins.9/3/08 London Marathon 13th april 2008 4hrs 38 mins., solo swim 2008 english channel done results was ? read the diary to find out!!. the event date of 2006 above on the top of the page is wrong and i cannot change it directly..all these events will cost me over £3000 personally, thats not including all the effort put into charity nights and fundraisng costs, i am not an athlete just an average bloke in an average job(tube driver on the jubilee line) with 4 kids a dog/hamster and a mouse under the dish washer, oh and a supportive wife thankfully. if you donate on this webb page it goes direct to the charity and passes no ones hands in between, ensuring they get the full benefit.  ps has anyone got a mouse trap? our new cat got the gerry!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Leukaemia CARE Society will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support. ensure you read the sponser info properly so the 28% tax can be claimed back off the government. you must enter the same name as what is on any payment card. when sponsoring! or taxman gets it, but you can leave a special message also to say who you are + comments.

31/7/06.  i am scared stiff to be honest as i've an over active imagination when it comes to sea & sharks, thats part of  what i am trying to conquer.  also to raise money for those who desperately need it.  i will attempt to swim the english channel to france. i have a friend who trains people for the event. so i have information on whats needed and what to expect. i will be assessed to see if i could do it next year 2007 or if it will be 2008.

 put  your orders in early for any duty free's, lol

The more i'm sponsored the less i can try and pull out with eyes on the event ! this event will cost me £2000 personally.  thats the first hurdle. that pays for swim time and training and relay dry runs in open water (i;e say five of us swim a chunk of the channel each as a team , to france, to get the feel of things) also for  the back up team whilst attempting a crossing.

well it's 16/9/06 and i am still training, i've been doing 1hr of swimming twice a week to build up my stamina. its tough going trying different ways to improve my stroke and breathing technique.  after speaking to someone who achieved my goal i realised just how tough this will be. i felt a bit daft at first wearing a swimming cap, and my wife susan has begged me not to wear those skimpy speedo's the fit fellows wear, lol.  but sooner or later i will have to don them...it looks as though this will be a 2yr training program, so it will give me plenty of time to get ready i hope.

3rd nov o6 well the training goes well, i feel a lot better for it. i can actually do a full length of the pool doing butterfly now, thats a tough stroke, i swollowed a lot of water in the first few sessions as your pushed hard, and had to rush to the loo on way home couple times...was a close call.   if things were hard @ first now we're told to jump out @ each end and do sit ups one end and press ups ' the other, and get straight back in now.  i feel like i'm in a rocky movie, just hope i don't have to swim after a chicken!  well it looks like i'll be swimming lake windermere 10 1/2 miler next year with a view to channel swim in 2008.

i had a photo taken yesterday (2/11/06) with train operations manager simon groves of north greenwich handing me a cheque for £150.  it should appear in on the move before xmas.  don't forget pass this web page on to your contacts, ty.

thanks DAVE STEWART your first on the board ! Daves a train op at acton town        distrct line. daves a lovely bloke but i will not go for a drink with him anymore unless he loses those doc martin boots, he wears em even in a night club!!!

see grahams comment in the donation list.  graham thats not nice, so i will have to tell people about your mister meaner............ me an graham stanbridge (north greenwich tube driver) went to the england holland game in nov/06 only graham left his passport @ home... and missed the flight, lol..so if i do get eaten on route i will chuckle about that as i rumble around those savage jaws.

14/12/06 i'm still swimming but due to an injury to my knee i cannot use my legs, so its all arms @ the min..with a special little float that you keep between your legs. i will try to hold a drink up like i did for the london marathon in 2005, plenty of quality raffle prizes like before such as massages, hair cuts, booze, sunbed tokens and such like that i managed to get the local shops to donate. it cost me £300 for the venue dj and food, but the knew landlord said he wont charge for venue, the last due raised £1,300  minus my £300. so £1000. it was well supported oh and plenty of people ended up bald for the cause. in the end after most people paid up there pledges i sent £1,588 of to the charity and any tax they claimed back. not bad since the target was £1,250.

 19/2/07 ok,  just let u know my knee is better but not perfect now, seeing specialist on weds 21st feb07. dont know that will help?  prob tell me to rest it !   but i'm back refereeing @ the weekends/ midweek now, loads of abuse, two offers of a punch up so far this year  always from the losing side it seems.  funny game football,  brings out the worst in some people.

I feel lot fitter than i did before i started this swimming regime, not actually losing lots of weight but firmer all round, the man boobs are lifting.

12/03/07 i met up with the mad men who swim in charlton lido all weathers all year around this morning.  after a quick chat and advice to do only 4/8 lengths only(water temp is approx 10c/ just below 50 'faren..) i toddled of to the shallow end.  down i progressed on the ladder, the veterans watching and i'm sure chuckling with straight faces, a few steps down ~my god~it was not cold it was ridiculously freezing! more chuckles i'm sure of it..c'mon in says a fellow swimmer casually do a breast stroke, its warmer than usual !  i go into waist deep and a bit more, my breath is sucked away, its so cold your body tenses so tight you cannot breath except only panting, after controlling my breathing i slid in... i was in, wishing i was definately not in. i cannot explain the shock of the water only that the only thing to do was to swim to create body heat. my body was so tense it was hard to actually swim at all.  after 2 lengths of course i convinced myself i had cracked it, ( lol, who was i kidding )? i swam 5 lengths and got out feeling quite proud lol. these fellows are quite mad i'm sure of it.  who would want to do this voluntarily?  anyway i'm going again tomorrow.

20/3/07 I'M SWIMMING 5 DAYS A WEEK NOW USUALLY BETWEEN 30 MINS TO 1HR, AFTER PEOPLE STARTED HANDING GIFTS AND BUYING TICKETS FOR THE CHARITY NIGHT, THE PRESSURE I WAS LOOKING FOR TO HELP ACHIEVE MY AIM HAS STARTED.  LIKE BEFORE WITH THE LONDON MARATHON, PEOPLE ASK HOW I'M GETTING ON, I'D HAVE TO MOVE HOME AND JOB NOW   SO NO-ONE WOULD RECOGNISE ME.

4/may/07 well its almost impossible to keep up so many days a week training i've found and keep a family life in control.  So i'm training @least 3x per week now but much more intense.  i'm tumble turning for 1hr solid with no breaks front crawl only.  i've been told to keep to 1hr and try to do more lengths. sunday 6th may is the begining of harbour swimming in dover. that should be a chilly experience.

7th may well i dipped in the sea yesterday at dover at about 10am,  yep it was cold , about 52 degrees.  once in  hardly being able to do a proper stroke at first, contending with waves and current although niether to an extreme, your skin gets a strange tingling almost burning sensation from the cold. it takes a while to adjust about 20/30 mins to the coldness, then you can start to get a bit of rythem but is so different to swimming pool enviroments.  i had to roll onto my back a couple of times in the first 20 mins as i was reaching from the foul taste of the sea water, thats not nice at all, i was about 200yards out at the time.  i entered the water in dover harbour by the 'old miners' statue, near the large glass shelter, there was 30 or 40 of us all ages shapes and sizes, it was cold enough on the beach in your clothes. we swam left to the harbour wall and back, it took me about 45 mins.  i must admit it was an horrible experience for the first 30 mins!  onthe return i got some sort of order of how to tackle the water. this being my first swim in the sea with cold/waves/foul water taste/ did give me a sharp lesson in whats to come.  once i was out of the water we had a 40min break and back we went, one fellow said its always easier the second time as we changed up for the re-run. he was right i got in quicker and went straight into good stroke with breathing rythem, things were looking up, oh yeah right... it was better but still very cold, the tide was coming in fast and i was pulled about without realising it.  tanya harding called out to me 'doug where you going?' (tanya was in some form of kayak come canoe) i looked up and realised that i had somehow turned 180 degrees and was going the wrong way  another lesson learned there. after my first visit to dover i felt ok, i got 1 under my belt and felt pleased with my 2nd swim. bring it on thats what i say.

21st may well yesterday was my 3rd visit to dover harbour and i must admit i'm pleased with my progress, the water feels a bit warmer although still very cold, and i can get swimming straight from the off, the weather was kinder as well with a nice bit of sun to warm us on the beach, unlike the previous week where it rained throughout.  there seemed to be less people each week, maybe they didn't fancy it again after there first try.  3 people were helped out of the water saturday as they were over come by the conditions.  sunday was quite mild though and i progressed to two lengths of the harbour in 1hour 5 mins on my first swim, and slightly less doing an 1hour on my 2nd swim. i've got used to the taste of the salt now and got a flavour of diesel on sunday too.  i caught quite a colour on my face and back from the sun. i suspect i will be tanned one side and bottle white the other if i don't watch out, maybe a bit of back stroke then to even things up. i need a pay rise now for the petrol and my nippers are playing on the beach and eating in the pier cafe. i'd like to mention a couple of people who i swim with at eltham and dover (some of whom are doing the channel relay swim with me this year) and hope your looking in on this site~ andy farris, jackie cobell, julie.  mike cross. oh and lorraine who is mainly swimming with mike as they are much more advanced than most, doing 2 to 3hr swim sessions without a break.  poor julie was suffering with her lips on her 1st sunday session, they were really blue with the cold, andy's missus was on hand last sunday with sun cream for him and i will have to do the same next time the suns up. jackies doing well she's in her early 50's and seems to really enjoy it. good luck all and keep it up.

10thjune managed a 2hr swim and rest and back in for another 1hr hour today, jellyfish are about now, some people stung on saturday, i've avoided them so far its just a matter of time. but i'm enjoying it now and thats half the battle.  its nice to feel the freedom of swimming 3 or 400 yards out and feel confident. i've been lucky with the conditions so far at Dover.  i'm doing a 3hr straight swim next sunday, and i'm actually looking forward to it ?

17th june 2007 into the fire this morning, tanya agreed for me to do 3hrs over the phone for todays swim, i'd felt stronger last week and wanted do a longer continous swim.  i arrived ealier at 9 am and freda who dishes out the different coloured hats(different hats denotes different times in the water, they are all numbered and your registered) said don't mess about go in with my lot, do 4hrs hours and take a drink after 2hrs (which is a small cup with a warm booster drink). by the waters edge and and finish off with 2 more hrs. well i've said that i've been lucky with the conditions so far, but it was rough today and i spent 20 to 25 mins in the same spot in some places the waves were very choppy and all the muck was churning up from the bottom. i did wonder at one point if i was fighting a losing battle, instead of swimming directly to the other wall i did a 90 degree turn and just headed towards the beach to try and find a way through the tide. i was level with one building it seemed for an eternity.  i swam about 200 yards to my right and then tried again to get a bit of movement in the right direction.  several people were caught up in this washing machine as it was described when i got out. i finally got some change in the current and got away from the rip tide.  it really tested my staminar as i had been swimming for more than 3 hrs at the time and i really had to dig in.  oh did i mention i was stung several times also by jellyfish, its wiered feeling you swim over them without knowing, then you get a prickling almost warm feeling, i first felt my cheek tingle then the stinging senation it passed under my left cheek and along my arm and ribs and leg.  i was stung a few times but to be honest it just made me swim better because i was on auto pilot and was slowing a bit, hopefully thats as bad as they sting. when i got out i got the well done and then the news of well you can do 6hrs in one hit next weekend. i shook tanya's hand and said thanks very much i'll see you next week then ! 

sunday 24/6/07 it was wet and miserabley windy throughout for the observers, thanks for passing the booster drinks and banana chunks, especially the mini chocolate roll at the 5 hr mark (yummy), you deserve some credit being the unsung heroes on the beach. well i completed the 6hrs, i had reservations about being bored, and getting caught up in the washing machine like the previous week.  i wondered how many times i would get stung by jellyfish but i did not fortunately, although i have got a pinch like bruise on my neck (peckish fish)?  also chaffing in the groin,  and my right shoulder which comes from chin hair friction, (no, groin was not caused by chin hair friction)!  my left shoulder was very painful after 5 1/2 hrs because i strained it laying a friends patio during the week. i completed 10 1/2 lengths of the harbour each length is approx 3/4 of a mile. so i done roughly 8 1/2 miles there abouts.  i wanted to do 12 lengths but i was cautious of burning out and was protecting my shoulder.  i stuffed myself silly in the pub restaraunt the' flag ship ' by the small boat harbour and downed a couple of pints of guiness. i was shaking and blue for quite some time, but the 6hrs gives me a certificate to swim the relay or channel attempt now. just have to have a medical and pay for any attempts now.  acheing a bit here and there today 25/7/07 but nothing serious, its my age probably. lol.

2nd july  nothing new today . done 5 hrs in the water .  8 lengths of the harbour, which wasn't to bad considering it was very choppy.  i felt more confident than i've been before and swam to the rough end of the harbour  with confidence. the waves were rougher than i've experienced before but i've learnt to relax and roll with them. some swimmers stay down the other end and swim in the calmer parts, but, i cannot see the point, if your going to swim the channel you've got to get in the mix and experience the rough too.  on the day of your big swim if things get rough you've got to be be prepared surely ? the jellyfish were not about but Alison streeters mum (freda) stung me for £20. for banana's and maxin drinks.  fare play to her though sitting on the beach for 6hrs plus, every sunday organising shows dedication.

8th july i turned up at 9am sharp on the beach, tanya my trainer was out in the channel with a swimmer, i was left to freda's devices help.  freda said 'its a lovely day for it, in you go 7hrs thanks today'.  gulp, it was a nice day i couldn't argue, the water was near flat and around 60 degrees. as usual my left shoulder gave me gip around the 4 1/2 hr mark, but i swam through the pain, around 6hrs hours it seem to ease off. doing 12 lengths today wasn't to bad for me. i'm told its around 1400mtrs per length just over 3/4 mile so you work it out. i finished it with more energy in the tank, so i'm pleased with my progress. i had to travel down the night before because of the 'tour de france'.  its a struggle sometimes when i finish late at work and get home at 2:30am then drive to dover for 9am. i hope its worth it..

15thjuly arrived dover 10:15, i did not fancy swimming today, i did not fancy the 70 mile journey to dover either.  i had a family party the day before and then a work colleague and some friends talked me into a few pints in the belvedere ciu club. i never drink the night before a swim, its risky. anyway i turned up. thankfully tanya asked me to do only 3hrs in the harbour. it took about an hour before i really got swimming, i really wasn't in the mood, it was choppy and the water was slapping me about. i was phaffing around a bit on my own swimming and looking up to often. after about an hour i got into it finally. the water had warm and cold spots,i'd rather it cold only or warm only, because when you've been through warm spots then a really cold spot suddenly, it really sends a shiver through you.  someone had emptied their ashtray into the water it seemed...dog ends floating all over in one part, whats that all about? selfish people!  anyway i done my 3 hour straight swim and came to the beach, barry threw my fleet shoes to me (good for the beech and swimming pools, look on figleaves.com under swim wear section). i felt guilty and paddled back out and swam for another 20 mins to try my shoes in the sea. i got out had some munch 1 guiness and off i went home to finish at last my friends patio.  at last i can concentrate on the swimming again (hopefully my shoulder will get better now i'm not mixing cement and carrying slabs). 16th still felt guilty at doing only 3hrs yesterday so i dropped of my daughter to school and got an hour in at crook log sports centre in bexleyheath.  before i got tied down with any chores. pool swimming is so boring now compared to sea swimming, its hot and safe, i need the danger element. the coldness,waves, rip tides jellyfish but not the dog ends!

thanks to charlie www.justgiving.com/monkeymonopoly

7th aug 07, sorry for some reason my computer wouldn't let me update, anyway...after reports of a 25 metre eanuch..mutant eel..over 70ft long reported a week prior in the lake by the daily mirror i set off. on the sunday there were 3 swims i was asked last minute to do the last swim.  i had not fed properly and then had to travel in the row boat, sometimes rowing, the 10 1/2 miles of the lake from lakeside to ambleside.  the wind was kicking up and white horses across parts of the lake making it hard for rowing and swimming on the journey to ambleside.  i decided i would swim even though i wasn't best prepared, if i have to suffer 21 miles plus sea conditions in the future why worry now? this was only (gulp) 10  1/2 plus miles. i set of fast for me, the adults and kids cheering.  i turned left past the large ferry jetty out of their view and calmed down a bit, i would never keep this pace up, it was the excitement.  i had a glow stick attached to the back of my trunks.  it was getting dark quick.  soon all i could see was the silhoutte of the people on the row boat and a small 5 inch glow stick. i had to follow the light as best i could, my hearing impaired by ear plugs and head mostly submerged.  i was adrift of the boat many times, it was my first go at this.  feeding came roughly on the hour, this is the only way of gaugeing time, they won't tell you anything.  we followed the contours of the lake.  as the hours passed by i thought of all sorts, the eanuch ! the picture of the great white on the front pages on the day previous. i had weed tangle around my leg and then my stomach. at one stage i swam into a rock..lucky my right hand touched it firstly and slid down at an angle towards me. i was enjoying the swim and looking forward to the maxin boost drink, which your given whilst trying to tred water and keep up with the boat. my only whinge was that at a feed i wanted milkyways only! richard gave me a mr kiplin slice and on another occasion a peppermint which felt like a gob stopper after 6 hrs in the water. both of these (excuse my manners, but anything goes on a long cold swim) i spat back at him catching him sweetly both times which gave me a chuckle. i caught sight of the hotel and aquariam lights at lakeside and the new i could get stuck in a bit more.  you can see the lights though from several miles away. they dissapeared via a contour, it was uite some time until i got sight of the end again. i thought i ight be freeked by a night swim, but i felt ok, you can't see anything so your mind set is what you want it to be. when i arrived at the finish i tried to stand up but cramp threatened my thighs, i relaxed then stood up and took 3 steps to finish the sim on 7hrs & 1 minute. it was 03:30 something, i was freezing once the wind caught me. on came the warm kit and we drove back to camp. 10 mins in a warm shower helped, then of to my little tent and dived into an old army sleeping bag i'd borrowed. i slept fully dressed. i had done it. a couple of days later when all the adults swims finished, the kids done thier relay swims. my daughters first swim in the went well, she swam for 28 mins the first go and 24 and told to get back in he boat on the 2nd. not bad for 11yr old. well done shannon you beat your demons of looking down in the lake.  i was a proud dad.

25/26/27 aug07 stayed in Dover all weekend over the bank hols, done a 4hour 2hr and 3hour swim over the 3 days. weather was good in the main and the harbour water smooth and warm, well warm to me anyways, perhaps not for your average day tripper. had a nice trip out on dave and jackie's boat to folkstone & back, thanks to you both.  my relay swim is imminent now, just waiting for a call from tanya.  the record was smashed twice for the channel this month with a russian fellow completing in 7hrs 7 mins for the 21 miles, then a bulgarian in the last few days clocking 6 hrs 57 mins which is incredible. i've enjoyed my swimming and really improved but these fellows must have fins. make no mistake though how tough it is, these are proffesionals.  on the other hand i've heard of some good successes from average channel efforts and plenty of others not making it. even when you don't make it, (average of  9% only make it )it costs you a tidy £2000 for the boat and crew. there was not many swimmers this weekend, maybe because plenty have attempted thier goals and some away, but i hope to see some of the chirpy faces still even when they've made thier attempts. good luck to you all.

sep 6/07 well i'm back in one piece, we set off on our relay swim at 04:37 from shakespear beach next to dover harbour. the 6 person team consisted in order of 1st 2nd 3rd etc into the water, myself 41yrs, lotte(female) 75yrs old !,roz hardiman 55yrs, ,jackie copbell 53yrs, steve bailey 13yrs, andy farris in mid 30's. the boat stopped a short way of the beach 50ft or so, and i swam into the beach (shakespear) and walked onto the dry area.  i'd left my own goggles on the table as i left for the boat at 02:30.  i had to borrow a brand new spare pair, they had not been broken in, this was terrible for me. it was pitch black and they signalled for me to commence the swim. i went into the water and immediately these cheap goggles steemed up mine are anti steam, with the first few waves they started leaking especially the left one. i could not see a thing and the water seemed to punish me for leaving my own goggles, to try to explain the sensation of trying to get through the first bit of breaking waves with no vision was like being put head first into a sleeping bag and being slung overboard in the darkness of night and being tossed about in the waves.  take a second and picture that in your mind! i battled through the braking waves then stopped tipped out the water and looked for the boats side lights, on catching sight i was off again determined to make the best of the situation. i couldn't see nothing but the boat side lights, i can now understand why some people quit before they really get started. do you remember in an earlier paragraph where i mention about swimming in the rough end of the harbour so as to prepare for moments like this. after about 15mins i really settled into my stroke and just got on with it. its a funny thing but its why i'm doing this swim, the element of fear or defeat and trying to conquer it. before i knew it my 1st hour was up, not long after i was out of the water the sun rose up. lotte(lotty)and roz coped well, roz has done a swim across the solent and came to lake windermere with me, she is wheelchair band, but very determined not to let that stop her.  before i knew it all the others had done their first hour, i was back in the water but with some very decent goggles this time. i settled straight into the swim and was doing 60 to 62 strokes per min for the whole hour, i quite enjoyed riding the swell of the waves, it felt much better than the first swim. 4 boats had set of in the early hours ourselfs and 3 solo attempts. i believe one was succesfull, 2 others quit, 1 quit early doors( the swimmer was being violently sea sick) after a few hours and another several hours later. make no mistake it's an epic journey, and you can see why people give up. you have to do your time in the harbour to condition mind and body, i know some were cheating by getting onto the beach out of sight in training and staying in the smooth areas of the harbour bobbing and chatting(bobbing=treading water). anyway  on my 3rd swim i put a lot of effort in, steve the young lad was quite ill and didn't want another hr also andy had had a previous tough hour with large waves and sea sickness, i thought between me lotte and roz we would reach the beach and save them from going again. roz was was near to the beach in france, we could see an old pill box at the bottom of the cliff face with stairs leading down to it. i convinced steve to jump in and swim the 200 yrds to the beach to get a stone for keep sakes, jackie jumped in with us, andy and lotte took pic's from the boat and tanya our coach was slung over board by one of the pilotman called lance hahaha. we took 14hrs and 58 mins but here we were in france, we had a little hug and each grabbed a stone lying on the sandy beach. now to swim back to the boat. the waves were coming at us but did we care? nope. it wasn't long before i was lying in bed at my brother-in-laws house. after all that time at sea, when i laid down i felt that dizzy sensation you get when your drunk. anyways thanks for reading and donating. the dover swims are almost finished now until april/may next year...THE SOLO.... beam me up mr scotty! 

9th sep 07 got to dover  late today everyone had gone, and i ended up going in on my own. i got some strange looks walking around the car park to the beach in my lycra kit, oh well what could i do?  i had to leave my clothes etc in the car. i got to the water without being arrested, walkin there in my speedo fleet shoes which you can swim in. i hid my car key in some bushes and hoped there were no magpies around. it was strange swimming out alone at first i'm used to large groups going in. its true you feel a safety in numbers, even though it probably makes no difference. i text a couple of people to let them know i'm swimming for an hour or so just in case something did go wrong. half hour into the swim dave and jackie came by in thier boat, jackie slung me a fruit shoot and a milkyway. i dont know,  what can you do? its rude to refuse so i munched and drank had little chat and set off again. i somehow felt really comfortable in the water since the channel relay swim last wed's, most of my swimming had been done under no pressure to get anywhere, but the relay had a target and i swam more consistent and faster and with better rythem than i had ever thought i could, i was doing only 60/62 strokes p/min but i try to roll and stretch my arms and  pull a full stroke . infact  i was a bit dissapointed to not to do a bit more of a challenge. the thing is i know there is room for improvement. i need someone who can improve my technique now, not just tell me to go up and down.  i'm going to miss the sea swimming, its folding until next may after next sunday.

8th oct, not much going on of interest at the moment.  i'm swimming 1hr sessions, 1/2hr runs on hill programmes now and refereeing at the weekends.  i've applied for a place in the london marathon 2008..via leukaemia a charity..gulp...i'm hoping it will help my fitness during the winter for next summer's big swim. i'm going to try swim hand paddles soon to see what effect they have on my technique and strengthing of the shoulders.  i did have 1weeks rest from the training during september, well i had to i had acute tonsilitis, swollen glands in the throat is not funny.

12/10/t07 i tried something new today, i purchased a pair of webbed swimming gloves for £8.  the idea is that they work your shoulders harder and make you swim with correct arm and hand movement.  wow !  they really do make a difference, firstly its harder to pull through with your stroke, in effect its like swimming up hill, working the shoulders harder, and arms.  secondly if you dont lift your elbows high and and exit and enter your hands correctly the gloves catch and drag in the water. after 64 lengths of a 25 metre pool i tried swimming without the gloves.  i felt like i was swimming faster immediatley, my arm and body technique was definately more defined and correct.  i switched back to the gloves after 8 more lengths and finished the session on 110 laps.  later as the day grew longer i could really feel the difference of the work out with gloves. it was like that feeling you get when you have missed running or weights sessions for a while and the day after overdoing it effect. yes i recomend you get some soon!.

6/12/07 i've been accepted by my charity to do the london marathon in 2008, hopefully my knee will hold. i think i'm definately going off the rails.  it was hard enough the last time i trained for it.  i was a lot fitter then playing football and squash prior, and having done the great north run in the september 2004 prior to the 2005 london marathon.  i've not been as active with leg sport over the last year and half due to knee prob's.  i've been carrying to much weight so it will be harder this time around.  if your interested in my old web page from 2005 go to ' www.justgiving.com/dougieruns  to check my run results go to london marathon site and type my name and run no. 40522 for the 2005 london marathon

15th jan 2008, xmas is over, let the battle of the bulge begin ! god my trouser's got tight over xmas.  i got out of the routines of swim training whilst helping a friend decorate some rush jobs, and then going to my own job.  then pulled something in my back and had a chesty cold with 2 weeks of near no sleep from coughing at night.  in all i prob didn't swim for 9 weeks! anyway my first night back tonight went ok.  we are in the new club at ELTHAM but i'm not impressed.  the lanes we're allowed are 4 only (not enough), and you can just about pass each other when in the opposite direction.  its cramped and its an ugly type of training. something will have to change. kim is taking the adult training at the moment and she as an affection for swimming exercises most won't of heard of b4, so at least its interesting.  apart from that i'm on the road again training for the London Marathon.  two weeks i've been at it and i'm just starting to enjoy it a bit now.  my legs were like lead weights after xmas and my chest was heavy from infection over xmas.  i gave blood the day before my first run and i don't think that helped me much either.  anyways i'm on 4 mile runs few times a week  & a bit of reffing. i'l have to step it up rapidly though or i'll be dead meat in april.  the dreary weather don't help but you can't use it as an excuse can, can you?  anyone at work want a raffle ticket for cash prizes see me or brian sequin.  1st £100, 2nd £50, £25. £5 a strip of 5 or £2 a single ticket. draw to be announced when enough tickets sold.

26th jan 08... things are picking up again, i'm back in the training buzz and running and swimming back to back,  although i'll run first before swimming as i got chaffing easier after swimming for an hour then running home, my skin probably softened up from the water.  but at least it doesn't seem such an effort as the previous 2 weeks did.  with 2 weeks annual leave off now i can pretty much get stuck in just when i need to without worrying about time.  on a different  note please take care to bolt your front door or chain it/double lock at night if you have a double glazed type  front door.  my friend was broken into whilst in bed 2 days ago, they put something through the letter box and pulled the handle down.  all this went on whilst he was in bed upstairs with his wife and two young kids.  apparently its happening a lot in the bexleyheath area of kent at the moment.

30/1/08at at the Eltham swimming club session, myself and robin were asked to swim a mile tonight in the 25mtr pool it was to see how our times were going, so we done some warm up lengths first then they timed us.  i done 27 1/2min approx, about 5/10 secs behind robin.  i was pleased with that as i wasn't going full pelt.  i usually swim at crook log for an hour doing the same pace constant, so i must be doing over 2miles per 1 hr session.  considering i started just over a year ago struggling after 1 length i'm glad i've stuck with it.  just shows you what you can do if you keep your targets clear and stop making excuses.

3rd feb 08 well its going well in the donations dept, my dad Vic Osborne has encouraged his freemason lodge's to donate yet more to the cause with a promised £200 soon to be handed to me, he already passed me £100 recently. not to be out done his brother Robert Osborne has told me of a pledge from his lodge for £200 also. thanks to you and your lodge companions for your kind donations.

9th march 2008 just back from SILVERSTONE addidas flora half marathon (13.1miles), some how managed to complete it, it was windy and chilly.  very dull run also, nothing to look at.  just running on the race track mainly.  i think there were only about 5 thousandish runners  i think my time was reasonable, waiting for results on marathonfoto.com                bib no. 4724 and my stepsons first half marathon 4725.   considering i've not been able to do much running, (my knees don't like it) er and other excuses..i'm glad to of got round.  just got the little prob of the london full marathon on 13th april next month.  then concentrate on the swimming once more.

12/3/2008 WORKS RAFFLE.  3 PRIZES

train operator BARRY JONES WON£100,                                     train operator  JOHN RYAN WON £50,                                         train operator tom TOM WILSON £25

THANKS TOM FOR YOUR DONATION OF £25.00,  £150 WILL GO TO THE CHARITY AND THREST TOWARDS COSTS OF THE CHANNEL PILOT CREW.  SO A TOTAL OF £185 WENT TO CHARITY.   THANKS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED. BEN ELLIOT BOUGHT £10 VIA (ONLINE)

16TH MARCH 08 travelled to dover for the cspf (channel swimmers and pilot federation) annual dinner and presentations.  stayed in the premier lodge which is a good location on the beach front.  we went down to the beach after breakfast, the camera's were rolling for 'street doctor' they filmed the swimmers going into the sea, mid low 40'deg my car showed 8deg outside air temp, so i guess the water was there abouts if not colder. i had no intention of getting in 'BUT' i was coaxed by my fellow swimmers.  i did not bring any swim kit, i could feel the water calling though.  i stripped off and run in with my boxer shorts, i borrowed a hat and gogg's, i was being filmed so there's a pos that i could be arrested at a later date for wearing pink goggles and hat and boxer's (no the boxers were grey)!  i just prayed my boxers wer'nt transparent when i got out.. it was shocking and hard to breath at first, few strokes later i paddled out for a bit and then back. some done 20mins or more which is a bit risky at that temp, it affects you long after your out if you over do it.

23/3/08 my neighbour coaxed me into doing a fifteen mile run this sunday morning, we arranged to meet at 08:30 and get a train to charing cross from belvedere and run home, approx 15miles.  when i woke up it was snowing!  so we decided to run into town and train back so we didn't get cold waiting at the station.  off we trotted, snow and some headwinds were not to deter us.  we run down to charlton and then followed the river path all the way down to and over Tower Bridge, again along the river on the west side as far as Westminister Bridge, back over and along the river to london bridge onto the south side.  we stopped for a 'McDonalds'' and then walked like cripples up the iron stair case by Guys Hospital which leads into the railway stn. a brief stop and warm up allowed our legs to stiffen up. our feet were wet and cold as i started a game of '''''SOAK WAYNE WITH THE PUDDLE'''''''towards the end of the run, it took my mind off the cold and sleet when i decided to jump into any large puddle Wayne my neighbour passed.  we caught the train back to Belvedere, then walked the ten mins back home to losen our legs up.  the final distance was 31+kilometres approx 19+miles. with less than a month to the london marathon i feel a bit better about it all now,, ty wayne

15/4/08   i'm still very stiff in my calfs and thighs, the london marathon (13th) put me through some strange weather experiences, it was sunny and warm to start 0945am at greenwich, but as the run progressed it clouded over, soon we had rainfalls, then sun, then more rain and suddenly hail stones ! it was bitterly cold then it cleared for sun and rain and more hail.  around the 12 mile mark my hands and forearms swelled, also my calfs were really tight every thing was aching like mad, i've never experienced the swelling previously. i wondered if i had been stung. i had 2 pain killers on board for emergencies and swollowed them. i had to tear off my pace band and loosen my watch by two holes. i was unsure whether to carry on? i felt ok apart from muscles tensed and swelling, it was painful! i got to the half way stage approx 2hrs and 5 mins(13.1 miles, ) which i thought was ok because i started at the back of the charity red start group. i had to get pass the slower walkers and runners, (i got plenty of elbows to the ribs trying to pass em) and the bottle neck by cutty sark came to a virtual stand still as we walked around the boarded up ship re-mains delaying me by around 2mins. the weather just got worse as the run progressed for me, i grabbed a pint of lager off a by-stander and took a sip as i passed through the ISLE OF DOGS (many cheers from the drinkers by the pub). i burped like mad for around the next 50yrds.  it was a great atmosphere though and any thoughts of stopping were swayed by bands, cheering spectators and my i-pod music fitted with the nike + chip reader (chip in your shoe). many thoughts pass through your mind as the hours and miles pass by. i was pleased to finish on 4hrs 38 mins 41 secs.  weighing in more than a stone heavier than i ran it in 2005 with only a 3rd of the training, i only lost 6 mins on my previous attempt. i found out after that the vast climate changes was the reason for my hands etc swelling. it was painful, bloody hard, but i really enjoyed crossing the line without stopping.  an emotional meet up with my wife and 3 children rounded the day off for me back at the charity after party. would i do it again ? you bet i will !!  the reason i ran the marathon was to help my mind st for the channel attempt later this year. learning no pain no gain first hand...

5/5/08 well i missed the opening day of the sea swims yesterday, i had a birthday party to attend for my stepson, we went to the comedy club and had a good laugh at greenwich on sat night, i know which choice most of you would of made too. but i'll be back to the grind from now.  thanks all who have sponsored me, i'm amazed to have nearly hit 4K I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVEN HIT MY £2.5 K TARGET.  thanks to you all.

works raffle result for 26th april- bob thomas £100 (nog t/op)  bernie kehoe(wembley t/op) ian thompson (neaseden met t/op) £25.   thanks to you all

17thmay08 I done my first serious sea swim yesterday,  was in for 2hr 20 odd. was about 11/2 degrees i believe. well the car showed that anyway so may be less in water? my hands and feet were totally numb. then my forearms brrrrrrrah. i got bit bored after a while to be honest, so i cut it short, lol. later in the evening i joined up with 'Erith district swimming club' their supposed to have a good rep'.  done an hr with them with their masters night.  first time i done diving off blocks. then we done different swims from Eltham training., with the clock. much more sprinting and serious swimming going on with them, very competative.

31st may ..last week saw me doing a 3hr swim in Dover Harbour, conditions were sunny a bit choppy in the water (nothing to bad) still a chilly 11/2 degrees.  i swam just over 5 lengths in that time. once onto the beach i nipped into my little2 man pop up tent i purchased from DECATHLON takes allof 2 sec's to put up. my hands and feet were numb, it's much nicer to change in the tent than under a tail. also protects from the chill factor of the wind, resulting in a speedier change of clothes and warm up. ONLY 3 MONTHS NOW TO THE BIG .SWIM....GULP.

well i'm cream crackered ! 4hr swim last sunday and then a 6 hr this sat followed by 5 hr on the sunday, it was really cold, no sun at all just mist in the cliffs and overcast, several peop's got out earlier than they wanted to due to being so cold. in the last hr of my 5hr swim on sunday the sun reared its head breaking through just to help me through the last hr.  i swam most of the weekend in the company of mike cross, who is doing a two way swim across the channel in the next few weeks ahead. i generally swim alone with my head tucked in wall to wall. but i did a few various new directions with mike and had to work harder to try and keep up with him. mikes been at it for 15+yrs with 2 succesful channel crossings under his belt.  a seal was tracking 1 swimmer sunday morning, the swimmer was oblivious to the seal behind him. he was the only 1 in the water at the time about 300+yrds out.  the main of us were just going in a 9am and watching the seal behind him. it disapeared and i did not see it again. mike had mentioned the seal the day earlier and that it approached him then swam off, gave him a bit of a fright at first.

15th june after a marathon journey and drinking session following the Dutch football quest in SWITZERLAND from thursday to sat, i was not looking forward to the drive down to dover this sunday morn.   anyway i got in just after 9 am. the weather was ok, the temperature was fine for me. i got off to a good start, i done some good swimming for the first 4hrs and felt that the switz sausage fest must off paid off after all ! top that with mac donalds and shed loads of vodka and beer and i think i finally found all the ingredients to swim without getting cold and not give a dam !   i slowed down in the 5hr and the last half hr was a drag.  my shoulders were ready for a rest, maybe not so much vodka then next time.  but it was hard not to get in the party mood. the dutch dress up way beyond any other supporters i know. i slept in my 2man tent with a friend and some random drunk Dutch fellow who tagged along with us thurs night under a tree in the middle of BERNE, by the train stn.  you don't make stuff like this up..  its like camping by charing x stn..or kings x.  anyway we met how Dutch friends the next day and watched the french get a beating 4-1,  the bands and fans were a great atmosphere. i was not best pleased though with grahams m8's they're all 6'2upwards of 6'5''. i felt like a dwarf at 5'10 amongst this giant nation of Dutch fellows. had to jump on the spot to see the game!!

 22june done 5hrs in good sunshine but windy weather, the water was kicking up which made it a bit more interesting, i stuffed 3 chocolate penguins down mytrunks and munched away after 3hrs swimming each time i got to the other harbour wall, i felt like a naughty schoolboy, but it made them taste better.  i got a bit burnt from the sun and nodded off in the cafe after while waiting for my grub in the pier cafe. what can i fit into my trunks next saturday?

10th july the previous weekend was a sat 6hr and sund 3hrs swims, after a marathon drive sat night to guildford and back again to dover and then home in the evening. this weekend was back to the 6hrs then 5hrs sunday, feeling stronger each week towards the end.  sat i walked along the harbour after my swim and saw a huge jellyfish dinner plate size! i hoped not to bump into any time .  i keep getting requests for the choccy penguins stuffed in my shorts, i'm sure these peop's would not normally approach me for choc's from that location along the general street!  i'm on standby now from 2nd aug to do my channel crossing, gulp.  god help me

12th july saturday saw me doing a 6hour swim, and sunday 13th i asked for a shorter spell beacuase it was my wife's birthday, oh dear ,the reply was 6hours today!  thanks, barry, freda and irene they cracked the whip!!!  but to be honest i enjoyed the back to back swims.  i finished with a short burst of butterfly to finish off and felt quite strong.   a few peop's are feeling the aches and twinges as the training gets longer.  it seems to be the faster swimmers, the slower ones (still good swimmers) probably put less stress on their joints, slimmer swimmers are suffering more from the cold as well as the anti is upped. i can see them shaking in the water when i talk to them, one girl was getting hyperthermic and had trouble with her speech and lost it a bit, she had to get out, it was her 1st 6hr swim.  all those years of being called 'SUMO' by my sunday football m8s, it seems i've found a good use for the blub.

21st july o8 i actually pass other swimmers now, amazingly.  though not that many.   i swam in the company of jane murphy on sunday, her husband is called the king of the channel, that's due to being the man that has crossed it the most times successfully.  she asked me to keep her company as she was doing her first 6hr swim.  she had a knee replacement earlier this year.  i've bumped into kev one week and then few times jane whilst swimming between the harbour walls, we had a few laughs and got a friendship going, i've done around 8 6hr swims amongst the 5's and 4's this term and good job too!  we kept a good pace going from wall to wall and done our first length in 24 mins (approx 1400yrds if in straight line, but you never do, so approx a mile done). on the return it was always about 28 mins, currents favoured 1 way more.  i felt she was at full stretch and held back a bit at times, but she's got the pedigree to dig in and did, i tried to allow her to dictate the pace, (the good thing about swimming with someone that you feel slightly stronger than is, you can play with your stroke to see which is best, and that's exactly what i did, i had 4 hrs of trial and error. i now know my best style for me at last) when we reached the wall we had about a min/or 2 then set off again.  she was enjoying the company of a target to look at beside her, we swam 4hrs hard like this.  i really enjoyed her company too, i was pushed also as she had high expectations of herself and felt the time goes quicker if she kept her head down and got on with it.           

    unfortunately i had done a 6hr the day b4 with the intention of an early finish to get back and relieve my mum from my kids.  i felt guilty but i had helped break the back of the 6hrs, the sun came out part way through so she would not suffer with the cold anyway. i also wanted to taper down a tad for my windermere swim this coming weekend. prob sund or monday. i've got a lovely sun tan mark across my forehead the blokes at work had a good laugh this morning.  

i watched 1 fellow on 5hrs mark sat trying to drink from a small cup and most of it went on his arm or in the water as he shaked uncontrollably.  he was doing a 7hr swim, god knows, he would be able to mix a good milk shake time he got out ~lol.

28/7/09 yesterday saw me walk into the water at AMBLSIDE, Lake Windermere, in cumbria uk.  the water was favourabley warm and calm from end to end, the end being Lakeside AT THE OTHER END 10 & HALF MILES DOWN.  i was keen to get under 7hrs this time as last year was a night swim taking 7hrs 1 min.  i had loaded up the night before with protein powders and maxim (hypontonic powder) and a carb's mixture too.  plenty of herbal tea (ginger & lemon) and bread sandwiches.  in the morning again beans scrambled eggs bread and porridge oh and more herbal tea.  it was a very sunny day, the swim was going well and i had rested all week with only a medium 1hr session of swimming on the wed's.  i felt good throughout the swim and only drank MAXIM at intervals and declined any food, i didn't want my blood going to my stomach to break down food, just supply me oxygen to my muscle and lungs.  following the boat at times was awkward as it quite often was ahead and directly in front of me, or far of to the front on the left and the sun would be in my eyes if i turned my head that way, so at times i drifted away from course, i yelled to them to keep to my right slightly in front as my neck ached enough without having to keep looking up to see if i was travelling in the correct line.  several hours into the swim and many thoughts had passed,  then the one where you think 'is this going to end'?  because it was sunny and the water was so clear, i could see plenty of plant growth and fish darting about, it makes a change to see whats beneath me.   at about half way a crowd from the Eltham swim club some in the water and my wife and children cheered me on, that gave me a boost.   all in all i felt positive and strong throughout and was glad to catch a glimpse though, of a building i know which marks the end.  i knew then that i could pick up the pace without fearing running out of steam.  i heard my wife/kids and the others cheering me to the finish,  i put in a blast of energy to see if i could, i walked out feeling good, not like last year where i kept looking up for the finish area from miles away. the hugs all round started and then i was told i'd finished in 6hrs 37mins.  i was pleased with that, having knocked off 24mins from the last effort and knowing that i could of gone quicker also 'in say the last 2miles'.  maybe next year after i knock of 2 stone perhaps...i

   it was a nice pre-run for the channel, it helped with the mind games you go through when your in the water for so long, not being allowed to know how far you've got left or how long you've been in.  you go through spells of feeling twinges in your muscles all over your body when your swimming hard and for so long, its when you start to realise how involved the whole of your body is in this exercise. i'm getting there, its been a long time coming but it's seems to be working for me now. fingers crossed though for good weather on my channel swim next month, gulp.

2/8/08 just 45 min hard front crawl today due to work commitments doh!        3/08/08 4hr swim dover very choppy grey wet horrible compared to last week! 

9/10TH AUGUST,   BACK TO BACK 4HR SWIMS IN THE CHOPPY WEEKEND WATERS OF DOVER, THE USUAL DODGEY SWIM CAP TAN ACROSS THE FOREHEAD AND UV GOOGLE MARKS AROUND EYES.. NOT LONG NOW,  I'VE STARTED DREAMING ABOUT THE CALL TO SWIM THE CHANNEL NOW,  ITS ALWAYS A SIMILAR DREAM,  A STRUGGLE TO GET TO THE BOAT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THEN I WAKE UP.  HOPE THIS DON'T GONE ON EVERY NIGHT.

23/8/08 well i had last weekend off from swimming in dover as i had a chill on my chest, i had been asked with only about 18hrs notice to attempt the channel last friday at 9am.  i was not well, i felt under par during my sessions during the week.  thankfully it was a good miss for me.  12 people set off on friday for their solo's, only 2 made it.  it was because they were fast swimmers, i'd checked the weather for friday and it was to start good then really get rough for anything out there. hence swimmers being pulled out even though some wanted to carry on.  the person swimming with the boat i would of used and time starting did not make it!   i've had this sat off, but i'm on it for sunday and maybe monday the bank holiday too. i just don't know how much i should be swimming now?  i've knocked the fast swim club on the head for now, and just doing weds club swim with Eltham s/club.  there is currently only 1 swimmer there who is really putting any effort in (robin).  hes doing a relay this year.  i also had a progression from e-mails to text to now the occasional chat with a fellow swimmer via phone who lives in N/IRELAND.  his name his gary knox, and as much as he says i've inspired him, i'd like to let him know its likewise, as we have conversed since around last october, just when i may lay off a bit, his keeness has kicked my sorry A.  unfortunately his target swim today was a bad day to swim on, a 9 mile swim in the sea, in around 11* and with his family on the shore within site, he was told to get out as he would not make the exact spot they wanted him to land, and the tide was taking him sideways. 4hrs in the sea almost there, how annoying.  still i'm sure he'll crack it.  with some english channel swimmers there also and not being able to make it, you can see how tough it is.  keep going GARY !!

24/8/08 a 70 mile slog down to dover with the wife and kids for my swim today, it was grey and wet on the way, great joys await me!  i arrived at 10:45 and was in for 11am, under Freda's orders i done 3hrs, i tried out a new style of front crawl today, i watched a dvd by 'total imersion'.  i was trying as the dvd says 'to make myself long and slippery'!  my wife has always called me slips, so all i needed was to be was long.  i was thinking don't play with your stroke now, and torn with, well what if it helps me ?  so i decided to immerse myself in this long slippery thingy where you try to pass through a small hole of water, rolling side to side and keeping my lead hand ahead of me breaking the water in the 4 o/clock position just under the surface, trying toget the timing right on when to pull back as the rear hand cuts in just above the head at an un-usual to what i'm used to driving down towards the 4 0/c as the over arm goes back.  trying to also keep my head in the prone position, all this was difficult in the choppy end of the harbour, but started to feel better in the smoother end. after about 1hr 20mins i started to feel comfortable with it and it felt more natural.  i timed myself to see if there was any noticable difference.  the first timing was slower, but i was still only getting used to it, the second faster by about a minute. which is quite a difference, i wasn't convinced yet though. but there was one noticable difference, i was not feeling any stress on my air flows, so i must be travelling without as much energy used than usual.  as i was into my last 15 mins of training, i was about 3/400 yrds out, i could here kids yelling and screaming? i looked at them, they were screaming at me to get out !  get out quick!  i had a flash back to the JAWS film.  i looked around me with a hopeful not see anything please look! i was the only one in the water and so not even a 50/50 chance with another swimmer biting the bullet..i swam back quite quickly, this stroke will be my saviour!  i wondered if the seal that follows the swimmers was trailing me.  i got back and asked what was up?  'freda is fed up of the rain and we are all packing up and going'!  ahh well thats a relief, nothing nasty in the water and i bombed the last few hundred yrds in my new learned style, and it all felt quite natural.  i'm back on it againn tommorrow, i got the flavour again.

25/8/08 on time today, i slipped into the water, eager to continue where i left off yesterday.  straight into my new style  i'm going to spend the 2hrs i'm in today and get this stroke going comfortable or drop it.  it started ok as i headed for the rough end of the harbour, i felt ok and my strokes seemed good, to avoid lower back pain i needed to keep my head lower as i felt some twinges there, the only trouble with that was as the water was rougher i lost my direction easier.  i tried to get a fix on the beach each time i breathed, the waves were not making that easy.  after 1 hr i saw 4 relay swimmers had set off from the clock end of the harbour and were about 75yds ahead of me.  i used them as a target, i was going to keep swimming in this new style, not racing but long slippery comfortable strokes (yeh right) . i was getting better at it, shortly after a i felt my hand touch the foot of trailing swimmer.  normally relay swimmers bomb along beacause they only usually do 1 lap, approx 2miles.  i was suprised to catch him so quick, i upped my stroke but kept it comfortable for my breathing.  after a while i looked around and they about 200yds behind me. i reached the far wall, with about 25 mins left b4 i was due out, i was begining to really enjoy my swim today, i set off again, something happened in that small space of time that was different to any other session i'd done b4. there was 1 swimmer about 150 yrds ahead of me with the red hat (denotes a solo channel swimmer in training usually) i again used him for a target, after about 200yds i suddenly felt my speed just really pick up, i wasn't trying any harder, but my hole body found a rythem that allowed me to glide through the water, it was effortless, i felt a a silly grin come over my face, i was swimming properly for the first time in 2yrs.  why had it taken so long?  i whizzed passed past the swimmer, i was not breathing heavy, i was not racing, it felt so natural, i felt like i could swim for ever!  i had to get out as i was being picked up, i wanted to keep going, it seemd a shame.  i am really looking forward to my next swim now.  a week ago i felt down with the chill on my chest, plus some personal problems, i thought i may of peaked at windermere. it seems i found my mojo again!!

30th/31st august  friday night i sat at home and succombed to a few scotch and cokes, little sleep and woke early for a small bowl of porridge, running late to pick up robin i was hungry b4 i got swimming, ( Robin from the eltham club). i was expecting 3 or 4 hrs max swim, Freda (as per) suggested in her persuasive manor that i do 6hrs, poor robin had only done 3hr swim previous max, as he's only doing a relay this year.  we swam together for approx 4hrs at a decent rate, then robin done another half hr on his own and some sun bathing as he had to wait for me to finish, i tried to get out 15 early because robin had a dinner appointment, Freda ROASTED me as i walked out, ' GET BACK IN THERE MR OSBORNE! i did another 1/2hr with my tail between my legs  (whimper- whimper) i finished with a short burst of butterfly , Freda again said  'if you can finish with butterfly do another hr' i legged it to my 2man tent and dived in zipping it tightly behind me. i heard no scary footsteps and got changed.  then we drove onto the A2 and got stuck in a rd block and diversion, sigh it took ages to get back nearly 2hrs!  anyways i was back again sunday for a 3hr no drink or food swim. i almost done it too, but some DEVIL PASSING IN A BOAT  threw me 2 milkyway bars, oh well be a shame to litter the harbour i thought!  also it was 2half hrs into it, this will never do (shhhh) don't tell Freda, please please. if i get caught i won't grass you up jackie & dave honest !!  ps cheers they were tasty.  MIKE ORAM c/s/p/federation has told me to be ready from 6th sept with 2 solo's and a relay swim listed ahead of me i'm 4th on list now. but to expect to pushed up the line possibley.  its all weather permitting now. won't be long..

3/9/08 unfortunately today my wife left for guildford to be with her sister as she is released from hospital.  her sisters battle against cancer has failed.  it seems its a matter days most likely before it all ends.  FRANCES SPALL is her name, thanks to all who have helped raise monies towards helping people like FRANCES, you can leave a message for her on this web link, if you donate a minimum of £2 or more if you wish, leave your comments in the box, i will print it for her.  ty all

monday 8th september 2008 on sunday evening i was sitting on the death bed of my sister-in-law FRANCES SPALL i was stroking her hand, my phone rang, it was Tanya Harding, 'doug' she said, 'it's time to swim the Channel'! i kissed Frances on the head and told her i must go now, to swim the channel, for you.     my wife and Frances's three children were all perched on the bed, her husband in the chair,  positioned where he could constantly hold her hand.  i could barely speak those words to her, she spoke softly we smiled at each other, it was very emotional for many reasons, i said 'i'll see you tomorrow' , i left the room.  i knew i would only have this 1 chance to do it for her whilst she was alive. i set off from guildford to my home, on route to dover i picked up FRANCES'S nephiew Patrick fitzhugh from maidstone. he was my camera man and support. 

we span out of the harbour in the pilot boat, i've since learned 5 other swimmers were attempting the channel at the same time 1 in a dry suit (wimp).  it was about 4am, i had to jump off the side of the boat and into the sea.  i swam to the shore on shakespeare beach, Dover.  i felt no fear no emotions, i told my self this is just a swim, a swim that i will complete as normal, just like all those training swims. the horn sounded on the boat, i walked in trying not to damge my feet on the stones. the water felt good, the darkness did not bother me. i slippd into a steady front crawl as soon as i could.  my right goggle lens started to leak, it continued to leak for a few hrs, i perseveared with it, i thought that it was probably the coldness effecting the seel and if i swopped it could happen to the next pair, i swum using one eye, i had to laugh though, it reminded me of those old corny western films where the indians could sleep with one eye open for danger, i could never do that as a kid, how gullable was i ? anyway it eventually sorted itself out.  i never ate anything until the 4th feed, only drunk maxim.  the sun came up mixed with clouds, it was a good sign that would help me warm up.  half way across i could really feel the cold right through my body, it made me shudder at times, my jaw clicked many times and my teeth grinded together also, i had to concentrate or i would look like the old man from steptoe and son, toothless.  patrick was unwell on the other side of the boat, and my observer was ill also.  lance (the pilot) also sean 2nd pilotman and first aider were very good keeping close with the boat not leaving me behind chasing and sucking in to many diesel fumes. the boat was called 'sea satin'. through the feeds i never complained just passed the odd mickey take and laugh, mike dropped my portion of banana on one feed and i watched it drift off, lucky seagulls!  i ate either chocolate mini rolls, banana and sometimes a carbohydrate gel which i TOLD  tanya 'please use them as they really do work', she don't like change.. my stroke rate obviously dropped the further i travelled, nicola millichip my observer asked me to pick it up!  i smiled a silly grin at her, of course though she was right i had too.  she is a veteran of two successful swims across the channel herself.  as dover cliffs faded the french cliffs became clearer. i shouted to mike cross (another veteran) i've cracked this haven't i !  i had been swimming for around 10/11 hrs, he said mate your going to get this, but he knew that i had at least 5/6hrs more to go, the tide was pulling me wide off the mark, towards Calais.  i was feeling the cold in my head now, the sun was fading fast to my right, i swam away from the boat a few times out of its shade, and then back to try and stay on course.  thoughts of all discriptions go through your mind as you keep plugging away, i swam through large clumps of sea weed like giant spaghetti, and over many jellyfish that were down at a safe depth, you feel like your going quick but, your not.  the French coast started to light up as the evening drew on, i wasn't far now 2/3hrs at the most i thought, another support boat pulled along side and said 'their swimmer had quit on 13hrs for one reason or other, 2 other swimmers quit one on 4hrs.  i was to damned close and no way could i afford another 2k plus the time involved, her in-doors would string me up, FRANCES was playing on my mind, no way could i stop,  all those hrs travelling to dover, windermere and hrs of swimming in the day and night, giving up everything i would usually do.  it was now pitch dark again, the crew told me i would soon have to swim the last 3/400yrs to the beach without the boat for legal and depth reasons, i could only see distant lights beyond the beach, Mike cross jumped in be-side me to see me safe to the beach, i could never keep up with mike when fresh, he breast stroked be-side me, all the time trying to put his foot down on land, finally he called to me 'PUT YOUR FEET DOWN DOUGIE, PUT YOUR FEET DOWN SON'!  i let my feet drift down and my god! THERE WAS SAND UNDER MY FEET, 'NAHHHHHHHHH, NOOO WAYYYY'! i muttered. i ran through the water i was now chasing that chicken, just like rocky (boxing film), the water became shallow and i ran onto  the sandy beach turned around a few times with my hands fisted and raised in the air, plain old dougie osborne had done it.  i  was here, no-one else was, where was the bloody drum bands for christ sake! oh well i was starting to get really cold with the wind whipping through me,  i said sod the momento stone mike, its all sand here i'm off back to the boat.  in we walked and swam around 400 yrds back and clambered on board, all in a days work my son......pass the bloody pain killers ship matey!  unfortunately i learned when back on the boat that FRANCES HAD PASSED AWAY AROUND 08:40AM WHILST I WAS SWIMMING FOR HER. IT SEEMED LIKE DESTINY?  I HOPE YOUR PROUD OF ME FRANCES, YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED. XXX

11th sep 08,  since i done the swim my mouth has erupted in ulcers with a swollen tongue, my throat also ulcered and swollen, my appetite is immense but i am struggling to swollow food,  my tongue is cracked and losing a few layers of skin.  i'm taking precauationary anti-biotics, had drs check up and resting.  each time i fed when swimming across i got sea water in my mouth mixed with my drink or feed, its just path of the course. a small price for the cause.  looking at the video footage of when i climbed back up the stairs onto the boat i personally felt ok in my mind, but viewing the footage it was obvious how wrecked and far i had taken my body through any barriers physical or mental, my wife could not believe how weak i looked.  it just shows you you can do more than you think with a little bit of preparation mentally and physically, but dont try this at home, its dumb and i should be locked up.  my wife sister and mother should of been more responsible and stopped me!!  mmmm what can i do next?  any suggestions ?  c'mon you can thing of something!!

AH WELL ON THE 5TH OCT, i hadn't run for at least 10 weeks because of losing to much fat for the channel swim, then pure lazyness (well earned, and odd job catch up time to pay for my trip to the great north run in Newcastle),  drinking heavily on fri 3rd and a late night and excessive eating sat 4th and a fun day out were prob not the best preparations for a half marathon on sunday!  but... i actually beat my previous time of 4yrs ago when i trained harder for it !  so it seems the secret is to drink heavily into the night whilst dancing in a night club in sunderland is the key!   bye eck i groaned from when the alarm went off at 06:30 until i arrived at the start line with my wife susan..she was pushing me to do it, (did she want me to have a heart attack)?  as usual we arrived late, i climbed over a barrier to get into my coloured no. section, otherwise it was me starting at the back of 52k peop's no ty m8.   the run began and sue saw me off like before, and like before i got to end first (well before sue that is) !  its a very hilly course but much better organised this time as far as seperating, more allowance and placing rulesfor run times..so not so clogged up on the road as before, hence perhaps the better time.  anyway after struggling to get back to our hotel (be warned there was a 2hr wait to get on the metro sytem after the run, although we cheated using a local cab to bypass some stops and traffic) we had a sauna and swim also used the jacuzzi.  well worth the extra expense.  nice weekend, great atmosphere, try it,  you'd enjoy! 

RAFFLE RESULTS DRAWN ON 11TH OCT 08.  UNBELIEVABLEY THE WINNING TICKET DRAWN BY STRATFORD DMT MARK NEWTON  WAS '365'  THAT MAY NOT SOUND UNBELIEVABLE UNTIL I MENTION THE WINNERS NAME~ TRAIN OPERATOR  (JAMMY)BARRY JONES (BAZZA). THIS WAS WITNESSED BY TRAIN OPERATOR ANDREW MOLES.  150 TICKETS SOLD AND £100 PRIZE, £50 TO CHARITY.  THANKS TO THOSE WHO BOUGHT ONLINE. ALSO THOSE BY CASH.   THIS WEB PAGE CLOSES ON 31/10/08 I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY BEST THANKS TO ALL THAT SUPPORTED ME BY DONATIONS AND ENCOURAGEMENT,  

SOME OF YOU WHO ARE THINKING OF MAYBE DOING AN ACTIVITY BUT ARE PUT OFF BY INJURY OR WEIGHT  OR ABILITY SHOULD READ THIS NEXT FEW LINES.                I HAVE HAD KEY HOLE SURGERY ON ONE KNEE, AND HAVE TORN ALL MUSCLES AND DAMAGED TENDONS ON ANKLES SHOULDERS AND MY OTHER KNEE IN THE NOT SO LONG AGO PAST, I ALSO HAD A COLLAPSED LUNG IN 2002.  AFTER WATCHING MYSELF GAINING WEIGHT AND POOR FITNESS IN A SEDENTRY JOB, I DECIDED ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH, IF I CAN ACHIEVE MARATHONS AND CHANNEL SWIMS, I'M PRETTY SURE YOU CAN SET YOURSELF LITTLE 1 AT A TIMES STEPS TO AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL FOR YOURSELF.  UNFORTUNATELY I AM STILLA FAT BLOB WITH MOOBS BUT A PROUD MOOB OWNER AT THAT!    GOOD LUCK AND NO EXCUSES! 

previous draw saw rob thomas t/op nog win £100, bernie kehoe t/op wmb pk £50 and t/op ian thompson metropolitan line £25

lucky people in the 3rd raffle with blue tickets drawn on 13th august 08     stratford dmt arnold memeh £25 3rd ,  north greenwich  t/op barry jones (fiddle!) £50 2nd, and first prize to paul channing a stratford t/op £100, posters will be up in depots.           paul and arnold have kindly requested that their winnings go in to the charity! nice touch gentlemen.

10th oct 08 raffle 150 TICKETS SOLD drawn by DMT MARK NEWTON, WITNESSED BY T/OPERATOR ANDREW MOLES.  WINNING TICKET NO.365 BELONGING TO TRAIN OPERATOR AT NORTH GREENWICH BARRY JONES.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO BOUGHT TICKETS ONLINE.

.  listed here are some of the buisnesses and people that have given a prize or donation towards the 30th march 2007charity night. thanks to mark/tracy houghton for printing the tickets

albert 34 kingswood ave belvedere £10, estate agents robinson/bellgrave/jackson £20 tel 01322 441010, la one hair/ beauty nuxley road £10 voucher and goodies, nuxley rd florist £30 voucher 01322439519, charm haircraft £5 voucher nuxley rd, The style co 01322 434 925 hair/beauty £20 voucher nuxley rd,            brian bonnini dmt @nog £5, free cut & blow dry voucher from westend styles  and goodie bags supplied by tariq rashid who does supplies for all occasions wedding/parties both these shops by abbey wood stn in wilton road, SUPERSALES NUXLEY VILLAGE / EDWARDS ELECTRICALS LOWER BELVEDERE RAFFLE GIFTS.

thanks to simon groves train operations manager @ north greenwich tube stn for purchasing 10 tickets for 10 train operators(drivers) for the charity night.

more prizes to add, 6 months free membership to parkwood liesure centres worth over £200 ps thanks to        jason stanton !!!

 THANKS TO TIM RICKSON, AFC GRASS ROOTS REP

FOR GARDEN TOOL REPAIRS  CALL 0208 467 0741.  THIS RELIABLE LAWN MOWER AND OTHER ENGINE DRIVEN GARDEN REPAIR SHOP IS BASED IN CHISLEHURST, KENT.  FRIENDLY AND REASONABLE PRICES, ALSO DOES SALES OF GOOD CONDITION 2ND HAND EQUIPMENT.  THIS SHOP IS RECOMMENDED BY MAIN MANUFACTURERS.  PLEASE MENTION THIS PAGE, TY. I USE IT SO SHOULD YOU!

thanks to all that came to the or donated on line for the charity night , there are too many to mention, if you only put a small amount in it all adds up and thats what counts.  its about chipping in and helping. thanks to you all , dougie osborne.