English Channel

Originally posted by Rob Copeland The injuries on Ron’s neck and shoulders appear to be salt water rubs. Swimming in salt water for extended periods typically rubs raw certain areas of the body where the repetitive motions of the stroke and the associated skin on skin rubbing (with added salt) will rub right through the skin. It looks like Ron missed a couple of spots when he greased up before the race. In his pre-race photos you’ll see he has channel grease under the arms and a little on the neck, but none where he was rubbed raw. Although the fronts of the shoulders seems a bit odd??? It usually takes one big swim (6+ hours) to really find our where you rub. Most people who have done ocean marathons, have 1 or 2 experiences of missing a spot or not keeping a spot properly lubricated. For me, in my first Tampa Bay marathon, I missed a spot on my neck, and after 10 1/2 hours of swimming it was a bloody mess. Fortunately I’ve learned from that 1 bad experience and from the wisdom of others. Lesson 1 – Learn where to apply grease (under arms, between thighs, around neck, …) Lesson 2 – Learn where NOT to apply grease (keep it away from goggles and eyes) You are right Rob if you don't apply lubricant to your chin and neck even the back of your neck you get rubbed raw. It appears to me the front of the neck and shoulder injuries are caused by friction. If you did not apply Vaseline or, (it looks like he used Lanolin) properly these marks appear. This also happens in fresh water. George www.swimdownhill.com

Originally posted by Rob Copeland The injuries on Ron’s neck and shoulders appear to be salt water rubs. Swimming in salt water for extended periods typically rubs raw certain areas of the body where the repetitive motions of the stroke and the associated skin on skin rubbing (with added salt) will rub right through the skin. It looks like Ron missed a couple of spots when he greased up before the race. In his pre-race photos you’ll see he has channel grease under the arms and a little on the neck, but none where he was rubbed raw. Although the fronts of the shoulders seems a bit odd??? It usually takes one big swim (6+ hours) to really find our where you rub. Most people who have done ocean marathons, have 1 or 2 experiences of missing a spot or not keeping a spot properly lubricated. For me, in my first Tampa Bay marathon, I missed a spot on my neck, and after 10 1/2 hours of swimming it was a bloody mess. Fortunately I’ve learned from that 1 bad experience and from the wisdom of others. Lesson 1 – Learn where to apply grease (under arms, between thighs, around neck, …) Lesson 2 – Learn where NOT to apply grease (keep it away from goggles and eyes) You are right Rob if you don't apply lubricant to your chin and neck even the back of your neck you get rubbed raw. It appears to me the front of the neck and shoulder injuries are caused by friction. If you did not apply Vaseline or, (it looks like he used Lanolin) properly these marks appear. This also happens in fresh water. George www.swimdownhill.com