Last weekend saw me race for the first time since I broke my
toe some 3 and bit weeks ago. The week and had been long with next to no swim
training due to Ellie having to have her appendix out and me having to help her
out. Saturday morning saw us head down the coast to Portsea. Ellie needed a day
out away from home away from bed just some fresh air and the same time give me
an event to complete.
On the drive day we noticed the swell and the wave at the
top end of the bay had white caps and around 1-2m in size, but knowing the wind
was blowing South West and Portsea was South West the water should be claim, an
off shore wind as it’s called. Once we got to Portsea parked picked up our rego
bags, (Ellie handed back her timing belt) we checked out the bay conditions
perfect flat as. We headed back to the car and waited out time before I had to
get on my wetsuit and head over to the buses to head down. Around 9:40 I
changed into my wetsuit pulled up around my waste and headed over to the tables
where we caught up with other Tri Alliance Team members racing along with G
(Gareth) who I work with. Soon we headed over to the buses for the short trip
down to the race start. At the race start waiting for a wave starts and allowed
for time for a warm up swim beforehand. The water was clear and a little cooler
than further up the bay.
Once called up I headed down with the rest in our wave
group. As we lined up ready to start I stood at the back of the group. My plan
was to let everyone run in and I’d walk in before aware of my toe. A Life Guard
asked if I was ok and I explained to him about letting everyone go and I’d take my time due to my broken toe.
The horn sounded and off we went. It was a good 50m walk in before I could start
swimming but I caught up the back markers pretty quick and turned the turning
buoy and headed south down the bay. I could feel the tide going out at this
point and use the pull to help me down the bay. At the finish buoy before
heading in I was little way out and I started to head in by the time I hit the
beach I had passed the finishing shoot along with many others I had to almost
swim back up the bay. I stood up and sort of run in over the line.
My final time was 18m 49s
The next day saw me down at Brighton Baths for the Great
Australia Day Swim. This time the start would be in deep water, Ellie and I got
down to Brighton Baths and I collect my race kit and caught up with John
another TA team member and we walked out on the pier to check out
conditions. It was perfect just like a
swimming pool. could not be more happier with the conditions. Ellie found a
great spot by the finish got out her camping chair and setup camp. It was not
too long before a few more TA team members rocked up and we all chatted away
before our race start. While chatting away it was nice to see some old faces,
Katie from the run group, Ryan from the TriVic and many other old friends.
About 20mins before the start we all started to put on our wetsuits and think
about heading up the pier to for a warm up swim. Kate never had used a wetsuit
before so I gave her some tips on how to put on a wetsuit. We all headed up the
pier to the swim start area jumped in and lined up ready for our wave starts.
As John and I were in the same wave start we hung out together before proceeding
over to the start and waited for the horn to sound. Once it did it was on a
washing machine of arms and legs true madness of people and bodies. After the
first buoy the pack started to spread out and everything found their own clear
water. The course is very simple you start outside the breakwater swim around
the breakwater come back in via the marina and into the beach. I felt strong
and good as I came into the beach, I stood up and run over the line.
My final time was 28m 25s
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| TA Crew at Brighton Baths |
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| Kate and I ready to go |
I had no real guide to what I wanted to do I just wanted to
finish these events as pre for Geelong only a few weeks away now.
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