The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

Karl C

Nigel Kimpton is swimming "the Channel" on 4th September 2008. (could be 4th,5th,6th, or 7th depending upon the weather)

Nigel is the proprietor of Benfleet Physiotherapy - Multi Disciplinary Clinic, heading Chartered Physiotherapists, Sports Scientists, Podiatrist and Remedial Masseur. He studied at Northern Institute, Blackpool where he gained L.C.S.P(Phys) and is a State Registered Physiotherapist, registered with the Health Professionals Council (PH 75875).
After deciding to swim the "ditch", I thought it a good idea to raise some money for our returning-injured forces personnel through the "Help for Heroes" charity.

http://www.justgiving.com/nigelkimpton

My very good friend Frank Palmer, manager of Gloucester Park Swimming Pool and member of team “torturers/coaches/helpers” met Johnson Beharry VC recently, and he sent me a good luck card, which was very much appreciated being it from a true hero. So when you get such encouragement from someone like that, then a bit of shoulder pain and the touch of some cold water certainly seems to pale into insignificance!

And as for me, I'm 49 years of age (although I look 25ish), and I am married to Kim, my long suffering wife. We have two children, Terri (repetitive x-factor entrant) and Amie (weight-training rock-chick), and two grand children, Cerys and Evan. I am a chartered physiotherapist, having my own clinic inBenfleet(www.benfleetphysiotherapy.co.uk).

So, if you find this venture of interest to you or indeed you just find my discomfort "funny" in any way, then please do try to donate as much or as little as you can for this good cause. And if you would like to appreciate a little more background to undertaking this swim, then I have tried to capture the essence of this below.

Thank you,

Nigel

I decided about a year ago to swim the channel after many long drunken evenings with my training partnerFreddieSpring. Alcohol induced small talk led to booking the boat ( Andy King and his boat "Louise Jane") for the first neap tide between the 4th and 10th September 2008.

I've always been involved with sport. As a kid, my mother encouraged me to get involved in "track" as I showed some talent at school. I can remember her sweeping the track clear of snow in Winter for her OCD son. I ran in the British league for Woodford Green AC starting at 400m and then moving up to 800/1500m. Having won some races and other bits and bobs, I decided to try my luck in the "States" where I tried the Santa Monica Training Club for a couple of years just to hone my ability to withstand a "beasting". I stayed in LA for the 1984 olympics but didn't achieve the qualifying time, although quite a few of my training partners competed with great distinction.

Having returned home, married Kim (my long suffering wife who has always supported me), and endured several surgeries, I could no longer continue running due to injury. I then turned my attention to triathlon with the same drive and enthusiasm, although some might call it obsessive and compulsive behaviour! After a while I found myself competing at Olympic distance (1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run), and then at 3 World championships and 1 European championship. I have also competed once ay the World Duathlon championships.

However, after 8 years of training twice a day, I decided to concentrate on my business interests....and then the opportunity arose to undertake the Channel swim. Most of my training is being done at the Gloucester Park Swimming Pool in Basildon with a great bunch of "fat blokes" and slimmer ladies (and many thanks must go to Frank for the sponsorship of "pool time" which is much appreciated) while most "open water" training is undertaken with Fred along the seafront at Southend ( at a bracing 6-8 degrees during Winter time!)

mikemoreton · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

Good Luck Nigel. I will be sponsoring you for sure.

Regards

MM2

(Note to self - be wary when drunk and not talk about swimming)

Karl C

Update.......Monday 25 August............

We have now spent hours and hours in the cold water of Dover Harbour - oh boy, makes Southend seafront seem like a paddling pool! Interesting waves, jelly fish and a playful seal!

Starting inMay havedone loads of 3 and 4 hours swims, a 5 hour and 3 x 6 hours (compulsoryqualifying time), a 7 hour and, 2 weeks ago I decided to do a 10 hour non-stop - this was to get my head round and my body used to being in cold water for that long. From chatting to successful swimmers from all over the world it seems that the cold is the real problem, it gets to you after about 7 hours.

With the help of my two open water mates Frank and Dave (who hope to support me on the day) and who have joined me on several 4, 6 and 7 hour swims, it is amazing how good it is to know someone with you is feeling the same cold, the same aches and pains and has the same shrivelled bits and pieces.

Now we know it is "on" - despite the jelly fish.

We have now met Andy King, our pilot, looked over his boat the "Louise Jane" and listened to his advice..

So many challengers have not succeeded or "missed their slot" due to the awful weather we have had up to now , but, having checked with Windguru and Metcheck it looks like things are going to settle for the 4th - 10th September.

So, here we go...........

Keep watching and, PLEASE remember our heroes, they are SO worth your thoughts and appreciation. www.justgiving.com/nigelkimpton

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 252

Nigel wishing you every success. I am sure all your hard work will pay off. Be thinking of you. Good luck.

Karl C · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:02 am Post subject:

Hi everyone,
Well, what a pig of a day we had on Monday!!
Pretty high sea and big swells so......in the 45 minutes it took us to head out of the harbour in the boat and cover the two or three miles along to Samphire Hoe, the beach where the swim starts, most of us felt really seasick, including me.
Sorry guys, it didn't go well, I started vomiting within the first 5 minutes, and, thereafter, on a pretty regular basis. After a few hours we decided that I was getting so dehydrated and, as I couldn't keep any fluids down, there was no chance of completing the swim.
My back up team were throwing up all over the place and it was getting pretty difficult dodging all the flotsam and jetsam around !!! The annoying thing is that if you were able to start on the beach without rocking and rolling around on the boat before the swim, well, things could have been OK and I would be telling you a different story now!
Really gutted, but I want to thank all you guys who have donated to The Heroes and, even though I was not successful it doesn't stop anyone continuing to send donations to the website to help them - they deserve it.
Thanks a lot. Nigel

mikey · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:27 am Post subject:

Don’t be to down with yourself Nigel

It was never going to be guaranteed ….

In fact, that’s exactly what made the attempt so commendable, and something we should all learn from.

Far too often people are happy to stay within their comfort zone.
How long has it been since instead of asking “Will I get a PB”?,
You’ve asked yourself “Will I Finish”?

Because you think it might be beyond you …
Is all the more reason to attempt it in my book

Well Done Nigel

Your time will come …. & I’m defiantly sponsoring you

Mikey

Ian J · #2 Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 259 Location: Rayleigh

I have to agree with Mike, as JFK said "We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard"

If it was easy everybody would do it, I can't remember the exact stats but aren't only 10% of Channel Swims successful?

Best Wishes on your next challenge.
_________________
Whad'ya mean "Run fat boy, run"? I AM running!

Tony Mead · #1 Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 35

Well Done Nigel and team. It must have been so hard to turn and leave without reaching your goal.
It’s not just about the day of the swim you put a lot of time and training in just to get to that very choppy start line. Well done for getting that far. What’s next???
_________________
http://acmdrivingschool.com

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

Well done anyway Nigel. As you know from my whingeing over the past few years it's the commitment to try that is important. Success is never guaranteed. And Mikey's point about us all pushing out of our comfort zones is well made.

Will be in for another pummeling from Gemma soon. All the best and great cause...one of my mates on the Mont Blanc ultra was also raising funds for same charity......see you soon.
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Karl C

Noon 13th July 2009:

Nigel is primed and I understand from his training team that he is just waiting for the nod from his pilot and then he may be going today

:director:

I will keep you uptodate once I hear...

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 252

Best of luck Nigel, be thinking of you.

Karl C · Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

Just heard from my people in the field (or in the water, so to speak..)

"2 big low depressions coming thro foot, expect to go Friday or Sat now.."

Mike Mason · #7 Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 1055 Location: Hockley

if we include Karl...is that 3 big low depressions......?
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

stevedavis · Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 19

Hi.

Has anyone heard how Nigel got on ??

Cheers
Steve

Karl C · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject:

Weather at the weekend too rough, and promised to be too rough all week - so he is home and waiting for the call again from the pilot of the boat...

stevedavis · Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 19

Thanks Karl.
Fingers crossed

Graham · #3 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 384

Any news? Weather has been filthy, so windy for the past days/weeks. Anyone know how long is he allowed for his window?