Arch 2 Arc - Enduroman Coaching

Beth Sharpe from San Franscisco, joined our coaching programme after attending the January Endoroman Lanzarotte swimming camp and underwent an accelerated programme of training. 

She accomplished much in the training including a successful end to end Windermere swim in 7 hours 20 mins, Tomales Bay in 9 hours 20 mins and a Catalina Channel crossing in 17 hours 30 mins.

Beth ran extremely well from London to Dover, recording our fastest time of 17 hours 50 mins which is one of the fastest for a woman attempting Arch2Arc, however, after 8 hours and 45 mins of swimming in challenging conditions, we stopped the swim for safety reasons.

Sean joins us in his ambition to achieve Arch2Arc after already completing the Triple Crown of open water swimming - English Channel - 2024 in 15 hours and 2 minutes; 20 Bridges - 2025 in 8 hours and 3 minutes; Catalina Channel - 2025 in 11 hours and 2 minutes.  In addition to achieving so much at a young age, Sean is a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and brings a measured approach to his training and preparations.  

Sean successfully completed Arch2Arc in one of the most controlled displays of endurance racing I have seen, becoming the youngest Enduroman and claims the non-wetsuit record.

Run: 21:50; T1 Dover: 9:08; Swim: 12:39; T2 Calais: 5:02; Bike: 16:03. Total: 64:42

John Phillips joins the team for the late October Arch 2 Arc challenge.  Applying a disciplined and focussed methodology to his swim and run preparations in particular, John is making the most of the available training time to maximise his skill development and become as efficient as possible whilst combining a range of alternative approaches to his training. 

Sadly, after 17 hours, John's throat was suffering from the conbination of excessive salt water and diesel fumes and for safety he was withdrawn from the swim. 

Meeting up with Reka at this year's Arch 2 Arc swim camp in Lanzarote, I was impressed with how she balances her training with her work and caring for her young son.  Talking with her about her preparations, it was hard to not get caught up in her infectuous enthusiasm and we join forces to support her in her final months ready for her late September solo challenge.

Sadly we were not blessed with the best conditions for the swim.  the run down was perfectly paced at a little over 24 hours and after a good rest, the swim began on a chilly night.  The first hour went well with slick feeds from Anička Michalcová Hráchová, but the second hour was quite choppy in a stiff breeze.  Réka was being sick, and although she has swum throuh this before, after 2 and a half hours she was feeling disorienated.  Being unable to take even warm drinks, her stroke rate dropped and she became cold.  Team Réka encouraged her until it was starting to become too risky and, delirious and confused, sadly we pulled her from the water after 3 hours.

Run - 22:47

T1 Dover - 14:09

Swim 19:06

T2 Calais - 12:27

Bike - 26:42

TOTAL 95:11

Run - 28:24

T1 Dover - 09:26

Swim - 19:15

T2 Calais - 12:20

Bike - 23:05

TOTAL 92:30

Claire Smith begins her A2A take 2 after her solo run around Mallorca. taking up the option of a two staged approach, we will work with Claire to develop her allround strength and fitness for a year before launching her on an A2A specific programme.

Update: Despite enduring an extremely hot run down to Dover, Claire pulled out of the swim after 4 hours feeling the effects of the run the day before.

Run - 21:51
T1 - Dover 08:58
Swim - 14:52
T2 - Calais 05:22
Bike - 16:00

TOTAL 67:03

CURRENT MEN’S NON-WETSUIT RECORD HOLDER For the full story please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6M3p3mIibE

For the full World Record Story, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6M3p3mIibEFor the full World RecorStory, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6M3p3mIibE

Run 19:30
T1 - Dover 14:10
Swim 15:22
T2 - Calais 12:34
Bike 15:33

TOTAL 77:09