Hi all, my Midlife Crisis has taken another turn this year. In November 2011, having spent at least twenty years doing sweet FA I foolishly accepted a drunken bet that I could run a Marathon ( Never having run before, unless I was being chased by an angry mob!) I surprised myself by getting off my arse, training and running the 2011 London Marathon. Little did I know this idle pissed up bet would change my life. Although I'll never give the Kenyans any sleepless nights I have three Marathons under my belt now and am 2 1/2 stone lighter. However...... being of that age i.e mid forties, I always, much to my wifes amusement/ annoyance, seem to be looking for the "Next Challenge". This manifested itself last year with a Duathlon and a couple of Sprint tri's. Despite my wifes protestations about scaring young kids and looking like the only gay in the village I even went so far as to buy a Lycra tri suit, although it must have been faulty as the front of it looked like it had been ironed over a wok. The Duathlon went OK, apart from going out too fast and blowing out of my arse after 5 mins and never recovering fully. My first Tri in the Gower was a real eye opener for me . Not knowing any different I found myself at the front of the pack when the hooter sounded. BIG mistake. What seemed like 20,000 angry bears kicked, punched, clawed and generally smashed seven coulours of sh!t out of me in the first 30 seconds. I was duly spat out the back of the mob and just about made it round, probably last, cant say for sure as my goggles were filled with blood. I promised myself ther and then this would be the last time I'd ever enter another stupid, poxy, poinless event ever again. After a good bike leg and painful run this was soon forgotten however in the euphoria of that finishing shoot. What a feeling! Second Tri, Tuska Porthcawl. What a wonderful feeling descending into the sea amoungst a dirty brown froth with rubbish floating in it. Apart from not getting quite so battered the tri took similar course... hated swim but loved finishing...but I was hooked. Next challenge please! This year I've taken out a second mortgage, (bloody expensive hobby this!) and committed to the Long Course weekend Tenby , Wales Triathlon Fishguard, (half IM) and also Iron man Wales and maybe a sprint or two if i can afford it. Herein lies my prob. I have hated the swim on my last two and the IM swims make me go weak with fear when ever I think of it. I've read through the Swim Smooth book, watched their videos and my swimming has improved but now where near where I think I need to be. I've have enjoyed a couple of short OW swims in Tenby but find endless lengths in the pool about as much fun as catching my old boy in my zip Any thoughts, help or general mickey taking would be greatly appreciated. Once i've exorcised the demons of my swim I can then get on to having sleepless nights over the bike/run. Apologies if this rambled on a bit | 
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Tuksta
