Won`t Get Fooled Again..!!!

Well this week’s blog is about as serious as Ricks blogs will ever get..!! Don`t worry this deep moment won`t last for long..!..there is meaning in choosing the mighty Who`s song “Never Be Fooled again” as this week’s blog read along song..As you will see as you read... why not play as you ponder our meaningful thoughts...lol... ;-))...

The 6 Big Time Charlie`s in Dover

Okay...let’s get Deep...Ricks were fooled into not having fun on our 2011 channel swim ..!!Plain and simply...we were 6 big time `fun time` Charlie’s, ex pool swimmers who had done it all, we had a few ex British age group champions in the team, we even had an ex England and Great Britain swimmer among our ranks...so what was there to stop us having fun in the channel...??

The Fun Time charlie`s with the Wonderful  Freda Streeter at
Swimmers Beach in Dover Harbour

We did all that was asked of us and more, to get ready for a channel relay. we did thousands upon thousands of kilometre's in the pool throughout the winter, then did  100,s of Miles around Swan Pool  in day light and at Night., We did the expected (12hrs round trip from the West Midlands) Trip to swimmers beach in Dover just  to meet the wonderful  Freda “ The Channel General ” Streeter and do her  3 hrs swim around  Dover harbour , just so we could get one her famous certificates  saying Big Ricks had passed her test and were ready for the channel  , I mean if that wasn`t  we even did an extra  combined 5hrs test swim at Swan Pool..!! ,and as we did all this training we had great fun, all of us felt great to be swimming again, Great to be back swimming as part of team  once more ,because for most of team it had been 20yrs plus since after most of us had given up competitive swimming.!!! ,( Mmm Competitive in swimming terms means  .. NOT MUCH FUN..!!

Night Swimming @ The Swan

Okay, after 20yrs of retirement, we were backing swimming , back training , and back to feeling competitive..!!!(That word again), even after 20yrs you can not help yourself falling back into old habits , (as hard as you try.)., So just like we were all teenagers again, we foolishly started looking at fastest channel times, We Started thinking we could beat that time..!!,and maybe perhaps set a record.!!!  Ricks Coach Basher,  then said " i wonder if there is a record for the fastest over 40`s team EVER..!!" ...Remember what we said earlier, Competitive in swimming terms means..Stress, Putting yourself under pressure To Perform, and off course Winning .! all of which means you don`t have much Fun..!! until the race is over.. As Ricks headed To Dover, were ready, we were more than ready. This channel lark would be a breeze...everyone of team was in great shape, we were swimming fast (4k a hour speed), and our competitive streak had taken over.!!( which means ` No Fun` remember)  thanks mainly to Ricks Coach Basher.!, we have found the out the fastest over 40`s team did the channel 9hrs 40.!! so that was it...pressure was on..but we thought  the swim would be done in 9 hrs or less..!! .,what fools..!

This Easy Channel Lark Route.lol..
(all 35 miles of it.)

Okay...you might think what are Bigs Ricks on about...? as in thinking WHY we were fools...?. because as most of you know We made it across the channel in July 2011.., a Perfect result some would say, and it was ..!, but ( A BIG BUT ) the channel crossing itself was not as much  fun as it should have been, not because of the resaons you might think, like sea sickness ,or choppy conditions , strong tides and swells, jelly fish stings , having to swim 15 miles further than was expected , as that is part and parcel of channel swim...so why had our adventure gone from being so much fun for 9 months , to being a bit of let down on the day...Competitive

                                                             This is NO Dream,

                                          The swim starts...no one is saying much...!!

So when big Ricks Paul entered the sea at 1.15 a.m, it was raining, windy, the boat was being tossed about by the waves oh and lets not forget it was in pitch darkness,Paul swam towards the shadows of the White Cliffs of Dover and Samphoe beach , we could only just see the cliffs in the of the moon light, all we could see of Paul was a green light attached to his goggles, none of us said a word as Paul swam in, we heard Paul shout from the beach ready...and the clock was started for the Race...!!! (what race i hear most say,  this is the channel, one of the greatest sporting challenges in the world..!!! you,ve trained for 9 months to enjoy this moment..!!)..

The Don..5hrs in..trying 100% to break that record

For hour after hour we gave everything 100%, like you do in a race....!! and not what we should have been doing and just enjoying the whole experiences .!! we eventually got France in 11hrs and 10 minutes some 1hr 30 minutes slowly than the record.!! and we were disappointed ..and we should n `t have been...we should have been celebrating .!! Our Pilot Fred (Fred has over 40yrs of experience with channel swimmers) gave us some great advice, Advice that we have taken to Heart and to head, so we won`t get fooled again..!!  Fred`s words..." The Channel is never a race guys..sure there are best times for a crossing, but you should never ever judge anyone or any team on how long they take to cross the English channel, every successful crossing is as good as last..no matter if it took 7 hrs or 17 hrs..., no 2 days are ever the same in the channel just like 2 swims are never the same, so how can you judge success simply on times .., ....Now cheer up lads you`ve just crossed the English Channel in the worst conditions of the year...that must be a good reason for a glass or 2 champagne....." 

A toast to our channel Pilot Fred Mardel 

we Learnt a very good lesson last year, its not race, the channel is bigger than that, Its something to be enjoyed and treasured.. that's something we plan to do with our double channel swim in June..we would hate for others to make the same mistake we made on the day of your swims , don`t get caught up in racing, instead of just enjoy an amazing experience...well that enough heavy chat from Ricks for a life time..time for another glass of bubbly please..... Now only 110 days until Big Ricks 2012 Double swim  Big Ricks Swim Team are attempting a 2 -Way swim of the English Channel  between the dates of June 25th to 1st July 2012.. We know the thought of swimming 60 miles really is quite Boring to most of you..!!, BUT  the thought you are helping people beat and  Breast Cancer and Heart Disease  by sponsoring Big Ricks really is exciting .!!! `This swim will be completely meaningless without your amazing generosity , We know times are hard so we really,really thank you from the heart for your support..Ricks x 

                                         (simply click this link below to Donate .)

www.Big.Ricks2wayVirginMoneyFundraiser.co.uk

Some of this weeks sessions:

Perry Beeches (Pool 25m) 5/3/12

Perry Beeches Pool 25m 29/2/12

Village Pool 25m 28/2/12

Perry Beeches Pool 25m 26/12/12

Walsall Gala Baths 33.3m pool 25/2/12

Perry Beeches Pool 25m 22/2/12

The Michael Phelps View off New London 2012 Olympic Pool
Lane 4..The Best Seat in the house

Take Me Down To The English Channel

Ricks Blog read along tune this week is By the Great Frank Turner...."Take Me Down To The English Channel " we are loving the verse  that could have almost been  written for Ricks Superstar  "Super Camp Daz".. the verse is .."If i ever stray from the path i follow take me down to the English Channel and throw me where the water is shallow and then drag me on back tom shore.." well we will Darran but only after you have finished your Hour slot.!!;-) why not Play as read on...Rx 

 http://www.crimson.co.uk/ 

Big Ricks double channel team big got a massive boast thanks  Rob at Crimson (http://www.crimson.co.uk/ ), thanks to Crimson`s amazing generosity and support, Ricks are now  well on the way to Funding our channel Boat Costs, once this is done, we can then fully focus 100% on the fight to help support our 2 chosen Charties the Breast Cancer Reaseach and the British Heart Foundation.... Rob, you and Crimson are stars..Rx

Channel news this week , is all to do with training and more Training...Now the children have gone back to school after half term ,The team can get a good month to 6 weeks of hard training done before the Easter half term break.!!, We are aiming at 4 to 5 weeks of over 20,000m ( 20k per week) in the pool. .., We know from last years Training, this was the hardest time in getting ready for the channel, its nasty, its painful, its no fun, its boring.!!.,but all the boredom,and pain, we be worth it come the summer,. in the mean time if we get this Pool work done and done well, the platform as it regards our fitness will be massive , we only have 6 weeks or less before open water at the Swan starts, we know we have to fit and ready for it to start, as we can`t spend weeks getting used to the cold this yr, we just don`t have the time, it will be straight in and swim.!! now when the 1st day at the swan comes...that will be nasty, painful , but a lot of fun..! 

As you can see , Swan Pool is still just a little bit to cold yet for us restart training, however for Big Ricks open water coaching God Dan , its still feels lovely and warm at 1.5 degrees .!! If there is braver ( crazier ) person in open water swimming in the UK than Dan , then we are yet to hear or meet him or her ( and we include Lewis Pugh!)...the man is cold water god.!! 

check out dan,s pictures from this morning dip..

http://www.coldwaterculture.com/2012/02/breaking-ice-february-5th.html

Big Ricks Swim Team are attempting this epic 2 way swim across the English channel because we want to help and support  both charities in their amazing work to help save Lives..  ...Any support  you can give in our quest  would be amazing , any sized donation will help improve the quality of someone's life, Maybe even save a life...!! Its knowing how important even the smallest amount  we raise with this challenge will help others , that will keep us going through the many tough and dark times we will experience in the 24hrs we swim in the English Channel in  June ( 24th to 1st July)..

If you if you wish to help and support Big Ricks, then simply click this link below to  Donate ...Thank you so much...

www.Big.Ricks.2way.Virgin.Money.Fundraiser.co.uk

Big Ricks Members Jenny and Paul  pictured along their Perry Beeches SC
team mates at ASA Staffordshire Masters Championships at Wolverhampton(19/2/12)
(Ross,Rob,Jenny, Stuart,Gez & Paul) 

Okay below  are are some of the training sessions Ricks have done over the past week , hope they are of use to some of you..one last thing this blog Ricks have to say a massive thank you,( i think we mean thank you.!!)  to Perry Beeches SC (http://www.perrybeechesswimming.co.uk/) Masters Coach Amaro Viloria  for his amazing support and Amazing sessions he has given the team so far the this Year. As you can see from  the picture above Amaro`s work is paying of for Jenny and Paul, as between them they won 6 county titles at staffs counties meet..

sessions..

 Village Gym (25m pool) 4 X 200

200 f/c drills

200 No 1 Form Drills

200 Kick choice

200 IM... (800m)

20 X 50`s F/C 75% effort (Bi Breathing 3 or 5)

5 x 50`s @ 45 seconds

5 x 50`s @ 50 sec

5 x 50`s @ 40 sec

5 x 50`s @ 50 sec

8 x 50`s Kick @ 1.10 (NO FINS)

2 X 400`S T-Shirts (3 ½ L`s good stroke form ½ L 100 sprint) 20R

6 X 125`S (2 X 25 95% EFFORT 20R, 4 X 75, S @ 1.15) ALT F/C and No1 Form

400 easy Snorkel/pull buoy swim

200m swim down

5 minute warm down stretch.

Walsall Gala Baths (33.3m pool)

Kit used in this session Snorkel,T-Shirt,Fins,Pull Buoy& Paddles 

 Perry Beeches (25m Pool )

Main Set is 100%

once the main set was finished we tried out some Micheal Phelps Starting Drills.!! 4 x 1  minute of drills, well if you want to dive like the great man.!!

 Village Gym (Pool 25m) Idea of this Tough set is to go of @ 1.30 per 100 (wanted to average a chilled 1.25)

it was hard for the short distances..( no rest) , but gets much better for the longer stuff )

Main Set f/c ( mix in at any time Pull Buoy, paddles,snorkel,t-shirt work)

100,200,400,600,800,1000

1500

1000,800,600,400,200,100

300m swim down to make up to 8k..;-)

 Perry Beeches (25m Pool)

This is was a Beauty for a Sunday afternoon

 Walsall Gala (33.3m pool) 200m easy swim

Pre Main (to get your heart pumping a little)

4 x 100 @ 1.35

6 x 2`s @ 65 sec

6 x 1s @ .35 sec

Main set.

6 x 500`s (75% effort at a good tempo)

2 x 500`s @ 7.30 (T-Shirt and Fins)

2 x 500`s @ 7.30 (T-Shirt and Pull Buoy)

2 x 500`s @ 7.30 (Paddles or Snorkel)

F/C Drill Set

3 x 2`s (1stL doggy paddle, 2nd L head up scull) R15

3 x 2`s (1st L head up scull pull, 2nd L head up full stroke) R15

3 X 2`s (1st Kick with fins no Board, 2nd 100% full stroke) R15

Swim Down

400m easy ......Total Session 5200m

5 min stretch down

 Perry Beeches (25m Pool)

This Might take a bit of translation ..(T.S.F) means T-shit,Snorkel and Fins..;-)

 Perry Beeches (25m Pool)

This was A Killer session..the 45 minutes Twin stretch cord set was not fun

 Walsall Gala Baths (33.3m Pool)

Warm up

200 m

15 x 2,s of 65 sec

2 x 200 f/c kick with fins

main set ( T-Shirts ON !)

6 X 100,s of 1.35

3 x 200`s of 3.15

2 x 300`s of 4.45

6 x 2,s of 65 sec

400m f/c drills ( head up, sculling, shark fin, doggy paddle ect)

200m easy swim down

5 min stretch down..total swim 4.4k

 Village Gym (25m Pool )

 Perry Beeches (25m Pool )

Guys ..You Love this one.!! we did...Not..;-))

Hope the session are useful to some, we try to keep them fun, try to keep you thinking as you swim.!!  R

The A.S.A Swimming Times..(March)

The A.S.A Swimming Times
No1 Swimming Magazine in the UK
http://www.swimming.org

Ricks need to give a Massive thank you to Peter at  A.S.A The Swimming Times
for a great write about Ricks year in 2011.
(Double Click pictures if you want to see them better.!! ) 

The Swimming Times Report on the Channel Swimming Association Dinner 2011
Ricks  are so proud to have their Names along side that of Chloe McCaredel and
 Pat Gallant-Charette and Kate and Justine from the SNC (2 person) Team

Big Ricks Swim Team are attempting this epic 2 way swim across the English channel because we want to help and support  both charities in their amazing work to help save Lives..  ...Any support  you can give in our quest  would be amazing , any sized donation will help improve the quality of someones life, Maybe even save a life...!! Its knowing how important even the smallest amount  we raise with this challenge will help others , that will keep us going through the many tough and dark times we will experience in the 24hrs we swim in the English Channel in  June ( 24th to 1st July)..

If you if you wish to help and support Big Ricks, then simply click this link below to  Donate ...Thank you so much...

www.Big.Ricks.2way.Virgin.Money.Fundraiser.co.uk

Big Ricks CRUK & BHF Charity Poster 2012..

Now only 95 days until Big Ricks 2012 Double swim


 Big Ricks Swim Team are attempting a 2 -Way swim of the English Channel  between the dates of June 25th to 1st July 2012.. We know the thought of swimming 60 miles really is quite Boring to most of you..!!, BUT  the thought you are helping people beat   Breast Cancer and Heart Disease  by sponsoring Big Ricks really is Totally  Amazing  .!!! This swim will be completely meaningless without your amazing generosity , We know times are hard so we really,really thank you from the heart for any support you can give us..Ricks x 

                                               (simply click this link below to Donate .)

    http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/bigricks

Big Ricks 2012 Anthem Take Me Down To The English Channel..By Frank Turner...!

Swim For Your Heart

Special Valentine’s Day Swim..

Big Ricks are proud to be part of The Global ` Swim For Your Heart Day` 2012

. www.swimforyourheartfeb14.com

Well as you know today is Valentine’s day.., A day to show your love, to give a heart to the people closest to you..!.. , it’s a special day for everyone not matter what country you happen to live in, So what better day could have been  chosen for 2nd  Global   " Swim For Your Heart  " event to take place.......Big Ricks 2 way Channel team did a swim on Saturday( Picture Above) and again this morning for the Swim For Your Heart Day.  I,m sure you are aware of how important the Fight To Beat Heart Disease is to everyone in Ricks Swim Team, we Know Heart  Disease can be prevented if we all work together..

So Today , why not  make time out of your busy day and go for chilled relaxing swim.. Maybe use the time think of love ones Past and Present , or just  Swim for Your Heart, after you have swam please Try and support your local Heart Charity where you can, they need our help To Beat Heart Disease ...Ricks had a nice swim 8000m this morning , it maybe not have been chilled and relaxed , but we will be thinking of Big Rick. as we Swam....Rx

http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com/

The idea of Swim Your Heart was the brain child of Pat Gallant Charette from Maine in the United States, 60-year-old Pat (sorry for dropping your age in Pat...you look much younger) is full-time nurse who cares for her three young grandchildren and is inspiring friends around the world with her attitude and marathon swimming achievements. 

Pat kicked off 2011 by founding the non-profit Swim for Your Heart February 14 organisations that support heart disease-related charity groups through a worldwide swim. The swim for your heart day in now support by 28 countries   

Despite all the demands on her time, Pat manages her time well enough to train and travel the world to honour the memories of her two late brothers.  With hundreds of miles of training under her cap, Pat started her summer season by becoming the oldest American woman to complete the English Channel in 15 hours and 57 minutes.  Not content, she headed west and became the oldest woman to complete the Catalina Channel in 14 hours and 11 minutes. And is now in training to swim the Cook Strait in New Zealand in 2012..!! the lady is simply amazing...Ricks are proud to have Pat as friend and we are also proud that we are able help her  in a small way  to spread the word about Heart Disease through swimming  in the UK

                                      "Swim for your Heart...Feb 14."

From recreational swimmers to elite swimmers YOU CAN JOIN IN!  Simply find your favourite lake, pool, ocean, river on February 14; swim for a mile or an hour or 30 minutes.  You can also participate by donating to a heart program of your choice.

By getting involved as either a swimmer or supporter, you are joining with others throughout the world in thought and action to bring awareness of heart disease and its prevention. http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com/

We Can Beat Heart Disease Together ..!!
if you wish to Donate you can either go direct to the
British Heart Foundation web page
http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/donate.aspx
or you can Donate to Big Ricks 2way Channel swim
http://uk.bigrickswimteam-virginmoneygiving.com/
(50% of the Money raised goes to the British Heart Foundation the other 50% to Breast Cancer Research UK ) . 

Thats Life....,By Frank

This has Personal meaning for Ricks Team, why not think of a song that 

that's important to you, and maybe post on Facebook for all to listen..

2012.....!!!

2011 was simply amazing... !!, We can not wait to see what 2012 has in store for us all...we wish everyone and great and successful 2012...R x

There is Lots of Big Ricks news to come in the next few weeks ....so watch this space..

but in the mean time here are some of our sessions over the  Christmas and New year period .

hope they are of use Ricks...

This Weeks sessions: Enjoy..;-))
(*Note..Big Ricks love our training toys..so some additional equipment needed for these and all our sessions are, Kick Board,Pull buoy,Mini Fins(Flippers),Hand Paddles,Snorkel, Drag trunks, old T-shirts. )

3/1/12 Village Gym (25mpool)

5 min relaxed warm up stretch..EASY..

Main Set 7 x ( 600`s)

6 x 100`s relaxed  warm up choice stroke, well it is the 1^st the session of the yr..r20

6 x 100`s f/c  of 1.40 ..75% effort (long Bi Stroke 3,5) Paddles

12 x 50`s kick with fins NO board ..1^st 25 U/W 2^nd 25 choice..15r 80% effort

6 x 100`s f/c 2 100s of 1.40,2 100s of 1.35 2 100s of 1.30(again Bi Breathing)Pull Buoy 

6 x 4x1 IM`S reverse order (F/C,B/S,Back ,Fly) 15r

6 x 100`s F/C of 1.25..90% effort ( Bi Breathing for as long as you can )

12 x 50`s IM..(3x50`s on each stroke) 20r

400m swim down

5 to 10 minute stretch..Total 4600m

2/1/12 Village Gym
Land and Conditioning workouts

29/12/11 Village Gym (25m pool)
400m easy swim f/c drills... (400m)
20. X 50,s f/c aim for easy 45sec per 50.. of 1 min (75% effort) (1000m) Paddles
200 easy kick...choice (200m)
3 x 400,s aim for 5.15 or better...going time 6 mins (100 %)....1200m
200 easy kick choice (200m)
10 x 4x1 IM, S of 2.00...75 % effort (1000m) wear T-shirt
200 easy swim choice
20 x 50`s f/c aim for 35 second per 50 or better..(Of 1 min 100% effort) 1000m
400 kick drills with fins...
400 easy swim down...
10 stretch down...6000m done..;-)

27/12/11 Village Gym (25m Pool

5 min relaxed warm up stretch..EASY..

Main Set..50 x 100`s hitting around 1.20 per 100..

Going of 1.35..try and keep them an even pace..75% effort (paddles,pull buoy,snorkel can be used at different times throughout the set )

Swim down easy chilled 400m choices

10 minute stretch down

Total 5400

23/12/11 Village Gym (25m Pool)

5 min relaxed warm up stretch..EASY..

Warm Up 200 easy FC followed by 4 x 100 (broken down into 50 at 50% effort, 50 at 75% effort) (600)

Kick

8 x 50 (alternate 50 at 100% effort, 50 at 75% effort) (400m)

Pre Main

4x 50`s (25 easy 25 100%) wear t-shirt

4x 50`s (25 100% 25 easy) (400m) wear t-shirt

Main Set

4x 500 (50 at 100%, 200 at even race pace, 50 at 100% hard, 200 at even race pace)

This is a hard swim if done right. Looking too hard of race pace...! Then recover back then 100% again) (2000m)
Try a set with either Pull buoy or Paddles

Swim Down

400 gentle Back and FC....

10 minute stretch down Total..3800m

21/12/11 Village Gym
Land and Conditioning workouts
20/12/11 Village Gym (25mPool )

5 min relaxed warm up stretch..EASY..

Warm up

400m (200 easy, 200 drills)

Kick set 600m

6x100`s Freestyle.1^st and 3^rd lengths hard, 2^nd   and 4^th recover .30r pull buoy

 Main Set

7x400 (straight 16, then14 x2, 10 x8, 8x8, 10x6, 12x6, 16) short rest between each 400, try and mix up the 400 with another stroke not freestyle.)

Pre Warm down

12x1. (Breathing set... breath every 6, 7,8,9,10,11 straight, 11,10,9,8,7. keep an eye on how many strokes it takes you. It will come useful in the weeks ahead.)

Swim down 400m and 10-minute stretch

19/12/11 Village Gym
Land and Conditioning workouts
18/12/11 Perry Beeches (25m pool )

Wednesday 23/3/11 ( perry beeches pool 25m)

Warm Up  easy 400m

Main Set....(Ladder Set )

 5 x 800.s 

 1st  set  800 @   

 2nd set  2 x 400,s @  6.00 snorkel

 3rd set  4 x 200,s @ 3.00 pull buoy

 4th set   8 x 100,s @ 1.30

 5th set   8 x 2,s @ 45 sec   then 16 x 1,s  @  25 sec

Swim Down 400 mixed strokes 

17/12/11 Walsall Gala Baths (33m )

Main set 12 x 400sm

400 warm up every 3^rd length back stroke.

400m 90% effort 5.30 or better

400m kick ( 2x 200)

400m 4 x 4x1 IM 20r

400m 90% effort 5.30 or better pull buoy

400m Kick ( 2 x 200 with fins)

400m(6 x 2`s hitting 55 seconds) 15r paddles

400m ( 2 x 200 of 2.45)

400m 2 x 200`s kick)

400m Pull buoy 90% effort 5.30 or better)

400m 12 x 1,s ( 3x1s on each stroke) 15r

400m swim down

10 min stretch

16/12/11 Village Gym
Land and Conditioning workouts
13/12/11 Village Gym (25m )

WARM-UP: 1,000m ( various drills on any stroke of your choice..)

Main Set

1,500 freestyle @ 22:00 minutes

3 x 500 @ 7:00 (descending, total time faster than the 1,500)

Swim Down 600 m

11/12/11 Perry Beeches (25m)

Nice and relaxed 3000m f/c swim ..str8


As you know Big Ricks Swim Team are massive supporters of the British Heart Foundation..so if you only take one thing from looking at our blog page today then  please make it this...Click the Video to watch as Vinnie Jones shows how hard and fast Hands -Only CPR to Stayin`Alive by the Bee Gees can help save a life...this is no joke...Vinnie is supporting the BHF in their new ad campaign...Watch...it may help you save a life one day......!! Rx

                                     

                                                      BIG RICKS SWIM TEAM                                    BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION SPORTS TEAM OF 2011

Its Been A Fairytale 2011

Sorry..it had to be done.. its Christmas .!!! and  this has to be one of the best loved Crimbo songs ever..!!! the classic Fairytale of New York..( plus was there ever a better line in a song than " you scumbag ,you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot,) why not play as read..!!

Channel Success..
July 20th 2011

It’s certainly been a fairy tale 2011 for everyone involved in Big Ricks Swim Team, and we do mean for everyone, because Ricks are a Team in every sense of the word. , it’s not just all about the swimmers,  it’s about our families, our friends old and new , and I could go on...the help ,support and encouragement this year has just been overwhelming....

Ricks swimmers proud to be Supporting
the BHF and CRUK 

 We are Proud to finally announce that Big Ricks Swim Team along with many people’s help and support have raised over £18,000(Inc Gift Aid) for The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK in 2011...in fact it’s well over £20,000 if you take into account the amazing support AF Blakemore & Sons gave us by agreeing to cover all costs of our Channel Crossing in July..

It’s such amazing amount of money, we can not believe people`s generosity in such tough times here in the UK...we will never be able to thank you all enough...the Money when its finally been cleared and the gift aid collected will be split 50/50 between both charities. 

Big Ricks Team along side other supporters of CRUK
at Birmingham university CRUK research Facilities 

We know Cancer Research UK will use the money you donated to continuing their  ongoing  research into  hopefully one day soon to find a cure for Cancer.!!..Ricks have seen at 1^st Hand what amazing work CRUK do when the team were very kindly invited to tour the CRUK research facilities at Birmingham University in August   

The other 50 percent of the money donated   will go The British Heart Foundation Walsall Appeal. We are not sure at the moment be we are hopeful , that  thanks again to everyone’s amazing generosity we have helped The British Heart Foundation purchase 9 life saving portable Defibrillators. They are to be placed in GP surgeries and medical centres in partnership with NHS Walsall in 2012...We know without question a Defibrillators is a piece of live saving equipment , it helps restore the hearts normal rhythm following a cardiac arrest...    

So that 2011 done... we have managed to do all the things Big Ricks  hopes to stand for... they are To Have Fun.. To Stay Fit and To Help Others...! and we also never forget  we do all this in the memory of our  dear  friend  Mark Rickhuss..x All  that’s left to say is massive Thank You to everyone , and hopefully you will join up with us all again, as we plan do it all again to 2012.....!!! Big Ricks Swim Team x

And Finally 

Big Ricks  would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year..!!!! 

Step It Up......

Ricks Blog Tune this week seems  to be very apt for the start of December and the fact with have got step it up and start training 100%...its the classic tune by the Stereo MC`S......" Step It Up." Listen as you read..dare you not to dance...;-)) Its Time for Ricks to stop partying , time to move on from this years swim ,Its time to get training , time to focus on next yrs 2 way channel relay swim...its planned for late June 2012..It seems a long way off.. but not really...we only have 4 months of hard pool and land training to do before we head back into open water in March..!! so its time to step up...!!  ( hope these training plans might help other  swimmers, we look at other blogs for sure for ideas..as we all know how hard and boring pool training can be for all of us.!!) happy training .Ricks

This Weeks Sessions ( Land Work is also being done twice a week..concentrating in Back, Shoulders,Core,Chest and Triceps don`t go mad, your not trying to be the next Arnie.!!!)

11/12/11 @ Perry Beeches (25m),

10 minutes stretching...IMPORTANT..!!!

Concentrate on good form on all strokes ALWAYS.!!

Warm Up 

800..( 200 swim kick pull swim ) choice stokes BUT no F/C on this set. Main Se t  3 X 1200 F/C  70% effort

1200 ( 3 x 400 of 6 minutes) 1200 (6 x 200 of 3 minutes) 1200(12 x 100 of 1min 30 ) try and make all the sets comfortable, want it done an even pace Warm Down..

6x2 ..breathing every 5..long stroke..counting strokes again 400m easy swim down

5 minutes stretching

10/12/11 @ Walsall Gala (33m pool)

10 minutes stretching

Warm up.

200( 3 x 2`s F/c to Back) 15r

200 (3 x 2,s F/c to Breast) 15r

200 ( 3 x 2`s Back to Breast ) 15r

Main Set..75% effort ( aim to hit 5.45 or better per 400m) 15r

2 x 400`s F/C Full

2 x 400`s Pull Buoy

2 x 400,s Paddle & Pull Buoy

2 x 400,s Full & Snorkel

2 x 400`s Paddles, Pull Buoy & Snorkel

Kick & Full Set ( fins , but NO Board)

200 (3 X 2`S  up  u/w Fly Kick back Full Fly ) 20r

200 (3 x 2`s  up back kick, back full stroke) 20r

200 (3 x 2`s  up f/c kick back full f/c use snorkel) 20r

400m easy swim down

5 minute stretch down.

Total.5600m.

8/12/11 Village leisure club (25m)

10 minute Stretching.

400m( 2x200`s choice stroke drills not F/C ) easy,nice and relaxed.

Main set...75% Effort (Aim to Hit 2.45 per 200) R15

10 x 200`s

2 x 200`s paddles

2 x 200`s Pull Buoy

2 x 200`s Pull Buoy and Paddles

2x 200`s Full with Snorkel

2 x 200,s Pull Buoy ,paddles and Snorkel

Kick Set 80% EFFORT 20R

4 X 100`S f/c  going off 2.00 minutes

400 easy swim done

5 minute stretch.

Total 3200m

6/12/11 Village leisure club (25m)

10 minute Stretching.

400m( 4x100 each stroke drills) easy,nice and relaxed.

Main set... (Aim to Hit 1.20 per 100) R15

21 x 100`s ( use Paddles and Snorkels for this set)

Kick Set...Fins, NO board

8 x 25`s U/W Fly Kick R20

Kick and Full set..(with fins) 20R

4  x 50`s (25 fly U/W,25 fly full stroke)

4  x 50`s ( 25 Back kick,25 back full)

4 X 50`s (25 kick f/c,25 f/c full..try snorkel on this set)

400 easy swim done

5 minute stretch.

Total 3700m

4/12/11 @ Perry Beeches (25m),

10 minutes stretching...IMPORTANT..!!!

Concentrate on good form on all strokes in this warm up

400m easy choice Full (at least 3 different strokes)

400m easy choice Kick (at least 3 different strokes)

300m reverse IM Full...(3 lengths on each stroke)

300m reverse IM Kick...(3 lengths on each stroke)

200m Full (25.f/c, 25 No 1 form)

200m Kick (25.f/c, 25 No 1 form)........(1800m)

Main Set...90% effort...F/C

3 x 100,s f/c (aim 1.10 or better) 30r after each 100

1 minute rest

3 x 200,s f/c (aim 2.20 or better) 30r after each 200.

100 easy swim down....(1000m)

Starts, Turns and Finishes set...important..!! (500m)

F/C drills...600m various...

200m easy swim down

5 minutes stretching

3/12/11 @ Walsall Gala (33m)

10 minutes stretching

200m full every 3rd length back

200m full every 3^rd length breast

200 Kick (2 f/c 2 back 2 breast)

3 x 2,s F/c full 1st length head up 2^nd length head up sculling (try and get chest high in the water with head up...work those legs)

3 x 2s F/c Pull 1^st length head up 2^nd length head up sculling (try and get chest high in the water with head up...work those arms...NO KICK)

Main Set 10 x 300`s F/C 70% effort.. 20r or of 4.45...

2 x 300`s Full

2 x 300,s Pull buoy

2 x 300 Paddles Full

2 x 300,s Paddles and Pull Buoy

2 x 300,s Snorkel Full

Think about stroke for the whole set..!! Tempo, catch. Bi breathing, kicking from the thigh not the knees, hip movement through the pull

Kick...8 x 100 (set done twice) with Fins No Board

100... (1ST L F/C, 2ND L Under water, 3RD L F/C)

100 ( F/C , U/W,Back)

100 (f/C .U/W, Choice)

400m Swim down Choice

5 minutes stretch

Total 5200m

1/12/11 Village leisure club (25m)

10 minute Stretching.

400m easy F/C...nice and relaxed.

Main set...1 hour timed and distance recorded swim.

It’s never fun but its great gauge of improved fitness through the winter...should be done at least once a month...learn your pacing...a good swim 4000m in the hour

400 easy swim done

5 minute stretch.

Total 4800m

Before we sign off , the Team would like to send a special get well message to Big ricks swimmer Nick “Mr Average “Platt...Who as you can see from the picture has had somewhat of a miss hap with his tiny feet ...! But Not to worry it’s not as bad as it looks,  Nick is that competitive and driven, after many yrs off  be always coming last in Rick's swims ( we keep telling  him it’s not a race.!!) he finally  decided enough was enough ..so he took the strange decision  to  have  some plastic surgery  done on his dainty size 5 feet in an effort to 1^st  beat the elusive  30 minutes barrier  at one the Great Swims one mile races, but even more important he also  hope the results of increasing the length of his Big Toe, he will at last be able to beat  fellow Ricks swimmers Mrs Platt and Keil “Chewy” Morris .!!!  Seriously we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Walsall Mayor`s Civic Awards 2011

Big Ricks At  Walsall`s Civic Awards Held at Walsall Football Ground (25/11/11)
Nick,Kiel ,Paul and Gary

How Posh..!!  ICE..

The Awards are affectionately known as "Dora`s" after Sister Dora,
one of the Borough`s best known historical figures 

Ricks were short listed for... 

                                                     And the Winner is.....

Big Ricks with the amazing young swimmer Tully Kearney...

Tully was awarded The Outstanding Sporting Achievement Of 2011.Ricks were very proud to have been nominated by Paul`s daughter Lauren, and to be placed runners up to Tully was massive bonus for the team.. ... you had best watch out for Tully at the paralympics 2012 ...she is going to be a star

Big Ricks Basher Receiving Ricks Runners up award from our Host for the evening BBC`s Bob Brolly and Walsall,s Mayor Gary Perry



Basher`s proud to accept the award on Ricks behalf

Ricks Dora..!!!

Big Ricks were so proud to be a small part of the Mayor`s Civic awards., Walsall as town always seems to get bad press locally, yes things are tough for the people of Walsall ,and yes maybe some of things that are reported are dissevered we don`t know, But going from what we witness on Friday night the town has some amazing people in it, doing some incredible things , for their local community . Achievements  that never get reported.!!, Achievements  that would go unnoticed and unrewarded  if it was not for The Mayors Civic Awards.. Well all we can say is that Big Ricks are Proud to be part of The Town of Walsall, and we are Proud to represent  Walsall when ever we swim around the UK...;-)

Click Video to see Ricks report on a fabulous night at the  Walsall Mayors Civic Awards 2011

Easy choice for Blog Tune this week..." What have you done today make yourself  Proud"