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Masterpiece roadmap for reaching goals
Randy Nutt; Director, Swim Around Key West; Open Water Chairman,
Florida Gold Coast, USA Swimming and United States Masters Swimming.
"Not only is this a masterpiece for those seeking to swim the English Channel
but a must-read for anyone who wants a roadmap towards reaching their goals."
English Channel Swimming Success
Michael Meyer (meyer@cavlogix.com) from Seattle, November 8, 1999
Interested in building your body up to a level where you can be
successful at long-distance athletic events?
While you may not be interested in immersing yourself in cold water
(sub 60 degrees), this book provides an excellent immersion into
one athlete's preparation and perseverance for success in one of the
longest and coldest competitive distance swims in the world.
A must read for any Channel aspirant
David Blanke (dblanke@velaw.com) from Dallas, Texas, November 3, 1999
Dover Solo is a must read for any aspiring Channel swimmer.
The book is a wealth of information regarding Marcia's well-conceived
training program, her acclimation to cold water swimming,
the logistics of a Channel attempt, and the swim itself.
All of this information comes in an engaging and revealing personal account
of the balance Marcia was able to strike between her Channel attempt, her work and her marriage.
Enjoyable read about what it takes to swim the Channel
Linda S. Cleveland (l.s.cleveland@worldnet.att.net) from Shreveport, LA, November 3, 1999
Enjoyable read about what it takes to swim the Channel.
A great book for any athlete to read. This is a chronicle of how Marcia Cleveland
defines her goals and then step-by-step achieves them.
A clear concise story from an amazing woman
stuomai@walrus.com from New York, NY, October 28, 1999
A clear, concise story from an amazing woman.
This is a clear and straightforward accounting of what it takes
to make it across the English Channel using body power.
Marcia Cleveland tells an astonishing story of the preparation and work and help
that goes into this swim.
Comprehensive chronicle of the English Channel challenge
Mark S. Newcombe (markcoach@aol.com) from Norwalk, CT, October 28, 1999
Comprehensive chronicle of the English Channel challenge.
Marcia Cleveland has delineated her story of the preparation and
performance of her English Channel swim in a comprehensive and
entertaining chronicle of the process.
Both her physiological and psychological preparation are clearly
delineated and provide a guide to someone who may be contemplating
the challenge of true Open water swimming.
For others it is simply a very interesting account of pursuing a
formidable goal and the trials and tribulations prior to achieving it.
I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the experience and recommend it to all who
enjoy the sport of swimming or the challenge of athletic endeavors in general.
I'm not a swimmer, but learned much for my own athletic pursuits
Reviewer: Susan Curtis from New York, New York December 8, 1999
An interesting and informative "must read" for swimmers and nonswimmers
alike. I thoroughly enjoyed Marcia Cleveland's Dover Solo and, although
not a swimmer myself, learned much that I apply to my own athletic
pursuits and daily life. Read this remarkable woman's story; you'll be
glad you did!
Must reading for the prospective Channel swimmer
Reviewer: Nick Olmos-Lau from Washington DC November 29, 1999
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Marcia Cleveland1s Dover Solo-Swimming the
English Channel. This book is enlightening and it fills a void. It is a
reliable and thoughtful work, published with the idea of helping the
prospective English Channel swimmer. This book provides specific advice
and practical information for planning this swim. Marcia1s book is
concise and objective; it is fluent and well written. I found it
instructing and easy to read. There are maps, pictures and illustrations
of excellent quality. There is an appendix with inspirational thoughts,
temperature and distance conversion charts, important addresses and
swimming contacts. Some interesting mind tricks games and thoughts that
allowed her to endure this lengthy and demanding process are clearly
explained. Marcia delivers what she promises by writing this book,
invaluable help for future and novice channel swimmers with their
attempts. She does this by recounting her experience that ended with her
successful Channel Crossing in l994. Marcia prudently warns the reader,
that following the recipe that led to her own success may not fulfill nor
suffice every English Channel hopeful. The book describes her
transformation from a pool to an open water swimmer and the steps that
lead to her decision to attempt to swim the English Channel. She reviews
important practical steps that she thought necessary to feel that she was
ready to do it. The relevance of swimming partners; cold acclimation and
endurance building are emphasized. She also discusses her experience
during her qualifying swim and issues regarding weight gain. This along
with details of her training system and her Maine mini-camp experience
round the first part of the book. Her trip to England and the details of
swimming the Channel start to finish comprise the second part of the
book. Her Channel crossing is discussed in great detail on hour by hour
blow, as well as the effects of currents and swimming patterns on her
progress. Her final approach system might prove useful for those finding
big boulders instead of sandy beaches at the end of their swim. In my
opinion her main contribution is sharing this experience with us to allow
the reader a rare insight into the life events that take place while
undertaking a goal of this type. There are some principles that apply to
all successful finishers. Marcia reviews them in detail, while noting
that training should be individualized. This work is an inspiration for
those trying to emulate Marcia. I recommend this book most highly.Nick
Olmos-Lau M.D.
A great book for swimmers, young and old!
Reviewer: A reader from USA November 20, 1999
My daughter read this book and loved it! She is a swimmer on a swim team
and this book was very inspirational to her! She even used it for a book
report for school and her teacher loved the report!
Esential reading for all aspiring English Channel swimmers
Reviewer: Michael Oram (Michael.oram@btinternet.com) from Ramsgate, Kent, UK November 20, 1999
This book takes you through the preperation and actual swimming of the
English Channel. It can be adapted for preparing for any swimming
challange worldwide and gives an insite into what the swimmer is thinking
-- and must think -- to be successful. Easy to read.
English Channel Swimming Success
Reviewer: Michael Meyer (meyer@cavlogix.com) from Seattle November 8, 1999
Interested in building your body up to a level where you can be
successful at long-distance athletic events? While you may not be
interested in immersing yourself in cold water (sub 60 degrees), this
book provides an excellent immersion into of one athletes preparation and
perseverance for success in one of the longest and coldest competitive
swim distances in the world.
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©Copyright 1999-2008, Marcia Cleveland All Rights Reserved