Training is done...

Five training swims down and I think we are now ready to go! I have been swimming in a beautiful blue lagoon that has a powerful current which gives me a good test, especially heading into it. I was only averaging 1.7km/h yesterday into it and over 5km/h back down!

The water has cooled off considerable after a week of strong winds mixing the ocean and 4 days of what the Samoans are calling a cold snap. The water temps are down to about 23 or 24c which should make the swim so much more comfortable than the 28c I was anticipating.

As for the swim the weather report is not looking favourable until late next week. High winds, large seas and thunderstorms are predicted until Wednesday. There is potentially a small window between 2am and 9am on Monday but each time the weather report is reissued that weather window gets smaller and smaller. 

All we can do is just wait and see how it goes. I told the organiser the other day I did not want to spent 8 hours in conditions like Mondays event. Those conditions were nothing short of miserable and I don't think with such strong crosswinds pushing us away from the island the crossing would be possible.

First training swim in Samoa

Today I got to spend a very special 2 hours completing my first training swim in the beautiful Samoan waters. The water is remarkably clear and definitely a lot warmer than what I am used to and these days, actually enjoy. 

We are staying at a place that has their very own fale beside these prestine blue waters. Narelle and Lucas stayed in the shade whilst I completed the set Andrew gave me. 

Second Samoan swim - 10km

Up at the crack of dawn for another training swim. This time a 10km swim in an event...this is unusual for me as I am not a fan of racing, I much prefer the concept of 'just' finishing for self gratification and fulfilment than beating a person or a clock.

I decided I would work on a few areas of my swimming that require attention. That been longer gliding and quickier feeding. The first lap of the 2.5km course was quick and things were going well. This was until about the 90min mark when I lost my breakfast to the fish. The winds had got up and the usually quite waters in the reef were now a mess of white caps and an annoying swell that peaked over the reef outcrops.

After another few unscheduled stops, including one 10 minute stop to dislodge last nights dinner to the fish the 10km was completed in a respectable time, but far from my best.

During those few hours the emotions ranged from wow this is a nice place to this swim is hell and what am I doing here? But regardless I finished with lots of gas in the tank and a positive outlook toward next week considering what had just unfolded.

However, the day belonged to Dave, his first marathon swim done and dusted. Having supported me through my swimming endeavours it gave me such pleasure to watch Dave finish his very first 10km event...even in these tough conditions he came in side by side with his wife Pauline at 4 hours 27 mins.  Fantastic effort considering his longest swim was 4km before this race... u r now a marathon man.

Tapering....

It's now time to start winding down the training in preparation for the big Samoa swims.

This is the part of the training that I really don't enjoy as I quickly start feeling flat and totally out of gas. From past experience these r all very normal emotions but I know that very soon I will be jumping out of my skin with all the extra energy.

Big day out

This weekend was one of the best in a long time!  Started with a night swim in Port Botany where we were treated to something very special; each stroke we took resulted in a luminary delight of whites and greens from prosperous in the water. Watching this show made the time fly by and by the time I knew it we had completed the 3 hours in water that ranged from 13 to about 10c.

25m pools?

My set today was 8.6km. I roll up to the local swimming hole and its set up as f'ing short course! 

As I am walking to the pool deck I think that is 344 laps and one dizzy swimmer!

Tired...

After a massive few days of 6km, 15km, 15km and 9km it was time for a rest and a relaxing Pilates class today. With a speed set on tomorrow it's definitely early to bed tonight!

Big weekend

The weekend saw three sets completed. The first was a 5 hour strength set at the beautiful pool at the Australian Institute of Sport. Ben and I got through the set with relative ease, although I had a few demons creep in about the 3 hour mark.

Sunday was a relaxing pre squad swim set followed up by the squad set of 4km of strength work, lots of ankle band swimming...it's not my favourite drill!!

Tomorrow is gym day...hard work but so rewarding. 

Happy Bday

Today is my annual day off work, i have renamed 2 July to 'Kane Day' where my present is to do whatever i want to do.

I had a split set to do today. The first set was a 3 hour endurance set. This was proceeded by a 2 hour rest before returning to do a gruelling 5km speed set in the afternoon.

This will be followed up on Saturday by a 5 hour consolidation swim. 

Big weekend

The biggest swim weekend for a while is done and dusted. 4 x 5km sets done and done with surprisingly very little effort after such a up and down last 5 weeks.

Thx to Tara and Pauline for both coming along for a few kms.

The week ahead is a 35km week as I ramp up the preparations for Samoa.