Champion of Champions! w/c 09/06

A bit of a break from the long swimming slogs this week as had the Champions of Champions races on Saturday (a very auspicious title given you don't have to be in any sort of champion swimmer to participate!), and a short 2.5 hour swim on Sunday.

The champion of champions (photo of getting vaselined up prior to the 5 mile race) is a series of 5 mile, 3 mile and 1 mile races with about an hour inbetween. It made a good change to do a bit of speed work, and actually felt more knackered after the event (which lasted from 8.30am to 5.30am) then after the 6 hour continouous swim the weekend before. Some really impresiive swimmers participating though especially one of my Malta crew, Peter May, who came 2nd overall in the mens and was rewarded with a 7 hour swim on Sunday (which incidentally was also his 40th b.day and Fathers Day!!).

On the Sunday I only did 2.5 hours as went for a Fathers Day Meal at lunch - felt pretty bad about this though as all the rest of the guys were doing 6 and 7 hour swims, and next weekend I am away on a stag do.

Interesting Things that Happened This Week....

- Went for a work day trip to Marbella and managed to get a swim in the sea for 40 mins - I had forgotten that in some open water you can (a) see where you are going; (b) swallow water without instantly retching; (c) see fish and other marine life. No hard feelings though Dover harbour!

- Got stung by a jelly fish on finishing the second race - in response I instictively lashed out at the guilty jelly fish and hit in with my hand..... it stung me again - Jelly Fish 2 Me 0

- Missed my Physio on Thursday as too busy at work, and realised just how important it is, as shoulder felt pretty sore all weekend