Nth Curly 2k swim

The first week of taper and thus a reduced volume. I did want to have three solid swims though, and I certainly got that!

The week's totals were: 6.5k swim (171%), 125k cycle (69%) and 25k run (60%).

The highlight of the week was the 2k ocean swim at Nth Curl Curl. The plan was to get a 2k swim out of the way so I wouldn't be so nervous on race day in 2 weeks. I was nervous through the week and was looking for excuses not to enter.

I woke up to a rainy day which didn't matter however I was crossing my fingers that the wind wouldn't be a southerly/onshore so the conditions would remain OK. I was really nervous and could only eat half a piece of toast. Crossing my fingers didn't work. We got out of the car and it was really windy and choppy - bugger! Paul and I were staring out to sea wishing we were back in bed whilst Caty strode up to the rego desk to enter. I looked at Paul and he looked at me - *gulp* no pulling out now.

I jumped in the wetsuit and walked down to the start line only to find it was even worse conditions than it looked from the surf club. The gun went off and through the break we went. The first buoy was about 200m out to sea and by the time I got out there I thought about turning around and coming straight back in. It was really choppy and it was hard to breathe without getting a gob full of water. The course turned right and continued to a buoy at Sth Curly, before returning the same way. I turned the buoy and decided to just do my best to swim one way and I would walk back. I tried to settle myself down as much as possible and chip away.

We were quite away out to sea and at times it felt like I was in the middle of bass straight. As the half way (500m) buoy came, the field had spread right out. The clubbies were great and it felt good to have a ski paddler or jet ski not too far away. I could only breathe on one side as breathing on the other side would result in a mouth full of salt water. The buoys were quite big but really hard to see. Swimming is so different from competing in running events. It feels so lonely as you have your head down looking at the bottom of the ocean.

I kept chipping away and before I knew it, I was at the turnaround point and heading back for home. The south end was much rougher and I felt like quitting on a number of times and heading for shore. It is funny how thinking of others spurs you on though. Funnily enough I thought of luckylegs and various ultra runners who just keep at it until the job was done. Anyway, how could I spur Spud on next weekend to run 246k when I quit the week before. Harden up and keep going!

After all the internal battles, I looked up to see the half way buoy. Already half way back! - what a pleasant surprise! I kept chipping away confident that I would make it. Turning the last buoy and heading for the beach was great. I eventually got to shallow water and stood up. As I shuffled up the beach to the finish line, I felt excited, satisfied and really proud of myself for sticking it out. I high-fived Caty and got my finishing time of 50:03.

Doing this event in the conditions was as satisfying (or if not more) than doing my first marathon. It was physically challenging but also quite mentally challenging. Six months ago, I could barely swim more than two laps without needing a break, so to get this swim under my belt before Canberra is a load off my mind. I am now really looking forward to Canberra and seeing what kind of a swim I can put together in calmer conditions.

Woo hoo!