I could really get into this ocean swimming malarkey

Bondi has to be the most mercurial beach ever. It can be so rough that ocean swims are cancelled because the buoys (let alone the swimmers) are being washed on to the rocks. It can then be flat as a tack.
As the bus pulled up this morning my reaction was "why hello there Lake Bondi! I had begun to doubt your commitment to sparkle motion!"

Not only had Bondi been becalmed, but it had also warmed up. Ocean temps of 20.6. Comparatively bath like. Brilliant.

I was formally recognised as a fundraising star and received my orange togs. Best swimmers ever and at a cost of $2500 (in terms of minimum fundraising) you would really want them to be.

Point to point at training today - Ben Buckler boat ramp to Icebergs and back again. I have now accepted that my fears will never subside to the point where I can just immediately fall into a swimming rythym upon entereng the water, but I've now gotten around that by breathing every second stroke until I stop hyperventilating (usually takes about 30 strokes) and then changing into my normal every 3 strokes. Alice, Larissa and I swim together, for the most part (except when I drop off or get squeezed out by other swimmers) and occasionally synchronise so perfectly it's beautiful.

The water is glorious, you can see everything through it, finish the swim in a faster time than ever before and really enjoy it all.

Huzzah!

Pool training this week was interval training. I kept up barely with 3:45 200m splits but I was desperate for that really cold ocean water by the end of it. My face was still flushed 20 minutes later.

Fundraising Star x 2

Well I am now a Can Too fund-raising star for the second time, meaning I've raised the minimum $1250 to complete the program and qualify for my gorgeous orange and black Can Too cossie!
Thanks to all those who donated by attending the Can Too trivia evening including: Em, Tom O, Anna, Patrick, Lydia, Laz, Mum, Annabel, Toby, Bronwyn, Tom S, Vanessa, Michael, Alex, Erin, Tess, LG, Morelle, Adelina and all their friends!
Thanks to those who donated directly: Lydia, Dad, Airlie and Ben, Andrew, Emma, Anne, Sophie, Tamera, Bridie and Alice.

Across the 2010 program and 2011 program I have thus far raised over $3200. Never one to rest on my laurels I'd like to raise $5,000 by the time I swim to Whale Beach in January. I know I Can Too!

If you’d like to donate (all donations above $2 are tax deductible) please visit the Can Too Website and download the sponsorship form or donate via the website please click here then search for Katie Price, select my name, type the amount and click add sponsorship; you will complete your payment details and you will then be emailed a receipt.

There and back again, an ocean swimmer's tale

Bilgola. 1.7km.
Where it all started. A year ago this was my first ever ocean swim and whilst I survived it, I can't say I enjoyed it.
Well what a difference a year makes. Despite the 16 degree water (brrrrrrrrrr) I felt like I was flying through the water, and it turns out I wasn't just confused with my recent flights from Century Mine (in a 7 seater) and Cairns.

I knocked 6:46 off last year's time, and more importantly knocked reduced my 100m interval time by 0.3 which is huge, for me at least.

Where last year I felt panic, this year I felt calm and confident, where last year I felt seasick the water was calm, where last year I was entangled in seaweed this year my freedom of movement was restricted only by the freezing of limbs.

Such a wonderful day. Anna smashed the course and then we joined her family for some shade time. Ocean swimming is not a great sport for those translucent persons such as myself who burn faster than fire lighters.

A tropical diversion and a cold front.

Trinity Beach Stinger Net featuring the occasional croc

Trip to Cairns and the Gulf of Carpentaria where stinger season has commenced. Between them, the jellyfish and crocs this will be an ocean training free week.

Bring on Billie (Bilgola) on Sunday though. All registered and everything!

Post script: Smashed out a session in Toobrok Pool (without my old swim coach as my masochism still has its limits - 1km of single arm free style is enough to drive anyone batty!) and then another 2km in the stinger nets at Trinity Beach. Cannot stop thinking of those stories about crocs hopping onto the beach, and walking around in the stinger nets to wait for easy pray. The water is beautifully warm but incredibly opaque. Given how much I fear crocs I think I'll take cold and clear - at least that way you can see the sharks coming and you know crocs aren't a problem.

Bring on Billie!

You Can Too - play trivia and help make Katie a fundraising legend!

Can Too Trivia is a smashing success, with over $1,000 raised. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we all learnt something, including the quiz master, yours truly.

I’ve uploaded the questions and answers here should you wish to check anything.

Congratulations to Emily Graham (winner of the West Wing Round) and These Crackpots and These Women who took out line honours, captained by Gilbert + Tobin trivia fiends.

Thanks to our sponsors: Wagamamas, Brooks and Bristol, Napoleon and 3 wise men for their kind prize donations.

Swim training was intense this week, we were aiming to best our 100m time trial over two sets followed by an easier set. 1500m on the trot. We were also trying to focus on our rotation to improve our stroke and increase our recovery.

The Beach session was kind of amazing. One of my fellow Can Tooers had raised over $50,000. He told the delightful story of how Can Too and in particular its founder, Annie Crawford, can making anything possible. He was one of the last to finish his first half marathon attempt and Annie arranged the media to be on hand to mark his finish (not to capture the winner of the marathon who was steadily gaining on him); nonetheless he crossed the line with a great fanfare, just behind the winner of the marathon. So far as the footage shows, in his first half marathon actually managed to come second in the marathon.