More Swimming and Biathlon Write Up.

Thursday - Ventured down to the A.B.C Pool early evening before the start of the biathlon (small report later) and thought  i would try to do 2ks straight as many of the sessions lately have all been short reps of 2 and 300s.
Doing a little more swimming these days due to the fact i can not run and I'm sure it is helping as i am feeling more confident then ever in the pool. (although still very slow by anyone else's standards).
Touched out the 1k in 17.33 (1.45 pace), and then took a small break with just enough time for a quick drink and to get the hand paddles on that would help me out for the 2nd k. Started to fade a little around 1600m but managed to hang in there to touch the 2nd k in 17.15 for all up 34.49...Happy Days :)

Just in time then to see the start of the biathlon that i had lined up for the HuRTS team - unfortunately due to injury, sickness, work commitments it really did become a NON EVENT with only 3 HuRTS people ready to race.
Those with excuses were :
Tom - Refused to race after been told he couldn't get his floaties and lie low on the ferry to work?
Mikey - Paid off (by Enda) the sum of $2.85 NOT to race to give him more of a chance?
Angus - Stress Fracture of the foot?
Ronnie (Biggs) - Food Poisoning after being invited to Enda's for dinner on Wednesday evening?
Heyden - Wasn't confident enough he could do the swim before closing time and the lights went out?
Walker - Couldn't be bothered - 'Too Easy' were his words?
Timmy - Forced out with a life threatening Achilles injury?

Anyway - Lets not take anything away from the 3 that raced with Enda, Mermaid and Lively Laura. Enda was first home, and after a rather sharpish run of 13.08 (4ks) and into the pool in 2nd spot this surely was his big moment to hit that dais that he was looking for? and all was looking good until he flopped into the pool and the next 5 minutes or so were just torture (and that was just watching) as he huffed and puffed his way through 300m.  With this his chance of glory passed him by as he laboured into 4th place overall in a time of 18.38 (?)
Mermaid pushed him all the way on her way to an impressive 19.17 (?) and oh why couldn't have Tom been there for the taking? and another 100m in the pool and she would have taken Enda as well :)
Laura was 3rd girl home ( just done for 2nd by her work colleague) with an equally impressive 21.07 and this after doing the HuRTS run set at lunch.
Well done guys - i think there is only about 3 races left in the series so hopefully i can make one of them and try to get some more of the team down as well - and even a few beers at the end.
Managed to take a few photos of the race.

Enda on his way to an impressive 13.08 run for 4ks.

..Before the pain was to begin with a flop into the pool.

Laura, and still managing a smile after 4ks.

and can still smile at the end as well.

HuRTS swim Queen Mermaid first girl home with a PB , with HuRTS brick Enda 4th Overall.

oh dear, and at 200m into the race - and every life guard was put on 'High Alert' as we weren't sure he could survive the final 100m? :)

Friday - Cycled back into the city for another swim session and with Angus, MrAce, Brendan, Enda, Julia (Enda's work colleague),and Champ in my slower lane for the 5 x 200s (did 6 one extra with Brendan) and 9 x 100s , Another good session with the times all kept very honest (especially once Angus turned up again), and again felt pretty strong throughout.
2.5ks in total


This weekend is the big 6ft Track race up in the mountains as well - Good luck to all those running this tough one. I see a few of us have withdrawn due to injury but think we are still well represented for some good results and look forward to reading all the reports that will follow.
My little each way bet - is to back Fats to get a Top 3 place :)

I wont be running at all but might try to hit the bike for a long ride on the Sunday down to Waterfall .
Have a great weekend, and train safe

Cheers