Where theres HOPE

Later start today due to having a few to many Frothies yesterday afternoon up in Newtown, so it was getting near midday before i ventured down to the pool for what will be probably my last swim session before i fly out later in the week.
Set today was to try to do 3 x 500s all under the 9 minute mark, A little ambitious i know but thought i would give it a try. Just as i was about to start for the day i noticed a sign writer in the sky writing the words 'HOPE'............ Was this for me i thought? and was he trying to tell me something?
Well with the words 'HOPE' now ringing in my head i set off with a new found urge that maybe i could get through this session. Felt good early and all of a sudden i can feel as is i am actually moving in the water now as opposed to frantically flapping away getting nowhere.
Touched the wall for the first 500 in 8.54, pleased with that as its also the first time i have gone under 9 this year, although i thought 2 more of them seemed very unlikely. The 2nd set was slower but tried to hang in there and touched just outside the 9 minute mark. Had the lane to myself again, which is great but i would have loved someone else there so i could swim on there feet for the last rep as i knew my best was now done for the day. I could have had a cuppa my break was that long before attempting the 3rd and it took everything i had to try to keep it as close to 9 as i could.
Times for the 3 x 500s were:  8.54, 9.01, 9.06
So although i only managed 1 from 3 under 9 minutes i was happy with that overall, and despite still being slow i have seen some improvements over the past 4 weeks.

Will get out for one more run session tomorrow, not sure if I'll make it into town to run with the boys or do my own stuff in the park at this stage, will just depend on time and how work goes.
Getting all excited now before i jet out again, put the bike in for a service this morning (told him to put extra gas in), made a few calls overseas to 'Team Timmy' who will be attending to all my needs and making sure i hit the start line in tip top shape :)
Had PLOD emailing everyone this morning with some scurrilous remarks on the Thai venture, no idea what he was getting at? Although i did promise him a picture of 'Team Timmy', lets just hope he doesn't jump on a plane and try to do the race also in order to get in on the act.

Team Timmy..... 'Saucy Sue, Massage girl Mai, and Chef Cookie

Lets get the party going :)

.."But please Mr Timmy, do not bring that Enda this year, he bad man - he give everyone head cold when he here last year"



Tonight also sees the final game in the Euros for the Irish lads before returning home - basically went to script although they did manage one more goal then i thought they would. They play Durante's mob tonight Italy.
Timmy'sTip - Italy 1 vs Ireland 0
Noticed the highly fancied Dutch clog wearing tulip eating dope smokers were knocked out as well, big surprise that one. England only need to draw against the Ukraine on Wednesday morning to advance and will probably play Spain in the quarters that will get Enda all excited :)

Cheers