Sorry, no picture but I have the video clip, if anyone can tell me how to post it I’ll give it a go. This was the second running of the Milford to Takapuna beach 2.8 km ocean swim. Last year I got beaten by 13 minutes by Rosie the Golden Labrador. This year I hadn’t done any preparation except two swim squad sessions post Ironman, so didn’t know how I would go, but still harboured a secret ambition to beat Rosie home. Still, I felt stong and relaxed on the swim, until the last swim leg into the beach, until I saw her, Rosie, 10 metres ahead. I put on a sprint and drew level, and then realised that the only thing they would show on TV that night would be Rosie, in the human (or pet) interest slot just before the end of the news, I either had to be way ahead of her or way behind her to avoid being in the same frame at the finish. I tried a bit more of a sprint, but it wasn’t going to happen, so I dropped back again, giving her 30 seconds to get up the beach before I slunk home. Mission accomplished: I saw the clip on the news that night and I wasn’t in it.
Water is beautifully warm: last week I did a sprint tri without a wetsuit. This event wetsuits were the norm: I think the elite swimmers all had wetsuit sponsorship deals and everyone else followed suit, so to speak. The organisers were recommending wetsuits be worn: fewer safety issues for them. The conditions were as calm as a ocean swim can be, and the numbers were about right: they split into two waves, men first, so while you always had company it was not too crowded.
Next on the agenda is some serious focus on running and weight loss, with the aim being a half IM at the end of the year: Taupo or Tauranga. In the mean time that Phuket Tri looks very tempting in December: time for a bit of adventure.
I raced with a dog in a Peaman Duathlon a few years back. We kind of had to swim wide on the course because a couple of folks got pissed at a dog going over their backs. We got out of the water in the top third of the field. Then the damn dog takes off down Alii Drive at a 5:30 first mile pace with me dragging behind.The dog was Gary Shield’s (multi time Ultraman winners) dog. Then he stops in the middle of the road and takes a giant dump. Not having a poopy bag I just ran like hell. Bud got a little tired on the way back and setteled in to a more comfortable low 7 min pace. Lots of folks got beat by a dog that day. We still give my other buddy grief about losing to a dog and it has been 15 years. If the Peaman is online, thanks for the many good races and memories. Aloha G
I did the race yesterday as well. As you note, conditions were just about perfect considering it was an ocean race. The big problem was the bouy at the last turn. Damned hard to see. I knew where it was (I swim there quite often) but still hard to see from 2 inches above the water. Hard for the leaders too as the first 3 guys missed it!
Anyway, I’m disappointed with your time. As a Slowtwitcher, you should be faster than that! Just missing Rosie meant…
a) you swam about 1:03? for that swim?
b) Rosie is off form (slower than last year)
c) you got beaten by my co-worker and friend. He has only 1 leg and he beat Rosie by about 5 metres at the finish line. He hopped (at incredible speed!) through the sand to narrowly beat Rosie.
d) you should have lots of fitness post IM so should have done better.(sorry)
e) you probably ride and run well to make up for it
f) come to the “Teps” and join Haydns tri squad. You will be awesome in no time!
TriDork
p.s. I was slower than last year by about 3 minutes, but I heard alot of people were, so I don’t feel tooooo bad.
The number didn’t wash off the Goldens head for about a month. We didn’t tell Peaman that Gary’s “brother” was a dog until he made us put a black number on his head.
Truly sad, I agree, especially when I was drafting your friend for a while, but had a sort of freaky moment when I realised he had only one leg. I didn’t mention that I didn’t want to be outhopped up the beach as well, but you forced it out of me. 438 out of 570 is an improvement for me compared with last year. If I was more sensitive I might start justifying myself, but I always thought slowtwitch primarily catered for the athletically impaired.
Do you recommend Haydn as a coach: I want to do some serious concentration on technique this winter. How well does he cater for those of us who have struggled to the back of the MOP?
Honestly, he is excellent. At first, I would recommend you do a few private sessions with him and get the video feedback. It is very useful to see what you look like.
Then you can jump in one of his squads and hammer yourself to a stunning speciman of swimming prowess.
I’ve been with Haydn for about 4 years, with private lessons for a while first, and I’ve taken my IM swim splits from 1:14 to 1:02 while I’ve gained 20kg at the same time! I’m now embarking on a major weightloss programme with the hope of getting down to 55 min IM swim split (not including that stupid run to T1 at Taupo)
He is an excellent motivator and coach and a top notch bloke. Tell him you heard it from me and he’ll probably charge you 10% extra! so mum’s the word eh?
