Two Sleeps To Go For Race Number 85

Aloha Everyone. This time (7:30am Hawaii Time) in 2 days time  (Sunday), I will be on the water and have just started by Molokai Channel crossing. My first solo crossing. Preparations so far have been smooth. Training runs out from Manalua Bay have been great. Manalua Bay is where we finish, so to paddle the finish line area is very important to get a feel for the winds from the mountains (that push you out to sea/Waikiki) and the swell (which is tidal). If I was to do a straight line from the final headland - Koko Head - to the finish line, I would also have to battle against the wind from the mountains. The alternative is to hug the wall (the coast line) the whole way into Manalua Bay which gets me more shelter from the winds but then I need to surf the reef breaks. But it should be high tide, so not breaking to much. This tactic is important because it is the last 20 minutes (2km) of the race and this is when I will be the most tired and fatigued. Hopefully the Snickers and Dr Pepper will give me a good sugar hit and I may just be able to power through and take the straight line.....

Planet Sun Hawaii

Picked up my race pack yesterday from Duke's. Still doesn't feel real...that I am doing this... but have no doubt it will feel real mid channel when I will feel so small in amongst the 8 foot average swells and 15 knot average wind speed, not being able to see land, and paddling across a channel that runs to 2300 feet deep, and where the water temperature is 2 degrees warmer than the air temperature.

Final training run on Oahu today too. Getting the drink bottle system fine tuned too which is great! Will post a photo of the final board setup next week.

We got some fantastic all natural sunscreen for our trip across the channel from Planet Sun Hawaii (http://www.planetsunhawaii.com/) so a big thank you to John and Ben at Planet Sun Performance Sunscreen and UV Protection (All Natural sunscreen = I LOVE IT!!)

Hawaii Kai Marina

My gear and bottles for race day

We loaded up the boat yesterday at Hawaii Kai Marina (which is right behind Manalua Bay on the south east side of Oahu). We gave Bobby (the boat captain) all the gear required for the race day, including my race number - 85! Bobby is also going to take my board over for me which is great because it means I can get the board off the boat this afternoon and have a final (final) training run tomorrow afternoon. Also left my finish line back at Kathryn and Ricks place for Rick to bring to the finish line for me. It's a bright pink Victoria's Secret bag so hopefully he won't mind carrying that over for me!! Thanks Rick!

Leaving for the airport to fly to Molokai later on this afternoon. A tiny little propeller plane. Seats about 9-12 people. Wooo. It's like my own private jet but with propellers, so my own private propeller (doesn't quite have the same ring to it!).

REALLYYYY???!!!!

Not sure what the Internet setup is over on Molokai in the condo and there is no cell reception so it will be hard to contact you, but when I finish, I will send out a text message to let you know.

Signing off now.... heading into the final couple of days before the biggest adventure and journey of my life begins.

Day 5 in Hawaii

First trip EVER to CostCo with Kathryn today. And OMG!! It is amazing. You can buy any there. Including a 7 piece modular sofa! The store is like the warehouse of Ikea in Sydney. Floor to ceiling shelving stocked with gigantic packets of everything. I found Dr Pepper 24 pack for US$7.50 (perfect for the race if I run out of my special fluids/powder mixes) and a tray of 48 Snickers bars (hello chocolate ass!!). You can walk in, buy a diamond ring, a BBQ and 800 rolls of toilet paper. I heart CostCo! Check out these few photos I posted - clearly the pictures do not do justice to the actual thing, but you get the idea!

We had a sleep in this morning (until 6:30am) and had a nice leisureley brekky at the hotel. Went to the beach in front of the Moana to see if we could find Kylie and Heidi (Colin and Jason's wife's). Found them!! Woo, so much easier than finding someone on Bondi Beach in Sydney - 40,000 people on the beach in the peak of summer = crazy (which I why I live in Maroubra now!). Kylie, Jason and I all went surfing at Waikiki for an hour and loooved it. First surf since I landed and could not wait to get out on the 9ft board and get onto some nice long runs. When we were paddling out, some guy had a collision with a girl on a board and he broke his wrist - it was hanging at a right angle to his forearm = gross. Clearly I had to be careful not to get injured myself, so perhaps I will leave the surfing until I finish the channel crossing....Surfing with a bunch of random learners when I have a huge race in a few days is probably not the best idea!! Ahhh :)

Jason and I enjoyed a nice dinner at Duke's this evening, and guess what, the serving sizes were managable this time!! Wooooo! Although, I think I kinda like the idea of eating until I can't fit into my pants anymore and have to unbutton the top button and gaze out into the space because I am in a food coma.

Are you wondering why there is a random photo of me sitting in a chair.... yup, me too!


How to get these quotes on my board? Sticky tape and plastic cover??
"Embrace the pain... it won't last forever"
"Your mind will take you there"
"Luck has nothing to do with it"

Food In Hawaii

For someone who can eat my dinner and then walk around and finish other people's dinner (laa laa too!!) it will come as a surprise to you that the entree size servings here are defeating me EVERY MEAL TIME.

Surprise From The Hookers

Jason getting into the helicopter

Windward side of the island

Waimea Bay

Sandra and Jason organised a surprise "kick ass in your paddle race" surprise for me yesterday afternoon. To my delight it was a flight around the island of Oahu in a helicopter!!! SOOOO EXCITEMENT! The flight was amazing and a super duper present - THANK YOU SANDRA AND JASON (lubcheck!).

We headed out to the helicopter in the afternoon - best time for flying because the morning rains are gone. Standing opposite the Honolulu International Airport was a bit surreal because you are never allowed onto the tarmac quiet like this. The pilot was constantly changing his radio frequency to whoever was controlling the airspace he was about the fly through. Military and the airport control tower were the main ones. If they didn't allow us clearance we just hung about until we did!!

The views from the chopper were nuts! Truly an amazing and dramatic landscape. And did you know, that the Big Island is the youngest of all the islands and that's why it still have lava flows!??!

And what an eclectic group of people we had in the chopper. One guy had Jason and I in stiches of laughter just because he wanted to talk about the watermelons and whatevr else he grew on his farm here way back when. Doesn't he realised no-one cares and that whatever you say in the chopper will be recorded and used as evidence against you later!! Seriously, the helicopter records the everything you say and the scenery and then you can buy the DVD and listen to these idoits for the rest of your life!! Too funny. The DVD doesn't to the real thing justice at all. Perhaps my Sanyo footage will.... umm.

By the way, if you don't already know, crackers are crackers and cheese is cheese... checking you are reading!!!

Tinky out xxxx

Day 3 in Hawaii

Early start this morning and quick breakfast in the car onroute to Kathryns place out near Manalua Bay for my first paddle on board. Unpacked the Yellow Submarine and put in the bottle holder fin and Jason fixed on the camera. Will see if we have the camera angle right on the board later once Jason has had a chance to review the footage - hopefully it's not just me pulling wierd/random faces!
The drinking tubes I had cut for the bottles were a little too short so have just cut some slightly longer ones so
that I can reach them without being too far forward on the board - very important otherwise would probs dig the nose into the water out in the channel = loose all forward momentum = more paddling :(
Only out for a little bit surfing the little waves just out from Kathryns place in Manalua Bay. Most beautiful place, clear water, nice surging waves breaking softly ahh paradise!!

Once showered and ready after the paddle, we headed up to see Bobby, our boat captain. He is super nice and am so excited about the team I have here in Hawaii. I will be paddling as much for them and I will be for me and my goals, challening all my emotions and feelings and thoughts whatever they may be (fear, anger, happiness) into the main goal and focus of getting across the channel.  Its been super windy over here this season ... umm...

Just thought of how I can reuse the water tubes I cut that are too short.... attached beer bottles/cans to my favourite cap, insert tubes... away I go = nice! Anyway, back to topic:


Getting into the final preparations for race week: tomorrow is another training session, followed by a surpise (go get 'em) adventure from The Hookers, and then probs Ala Moana shopping centre on the way back (wooo shopping)!! Tuesday will be North Shore bound to see race organiser Mike, and hopefully some other friends up there if they are not working. Will swim at Waimea Bay, check out Turtle Bay Resort, and hang out for the day. Then will hopefully head to CostCo with Kathryn to get some supplies for the boat. Wednesday will be another board session - perhaps in the afternoon so I can paddle in the heat - and getting everything ready for the boat and what we will need on Molokai. Thats all I have planned so far and that is pretty much all we need to do.

Whilst I am here for the race, it is also a holiday. So 1 touristy thing per day.
Touristy thing for Sunday: Hanama Bay Lookout. Hanama Bay is fantastic for snorkelling and diving, but we just enjoyed the view. We will see Hanama Bay again in 7 days time but from the ocean side.

Okay peeps, think I am just rambling now (raaaannnblliiimm rose... who know this song!! dad!!) and need to get to bed and get some zzzzz

But one last thing I need to post is "STATUE BRO" 

Landed in Hawaii

Alooooooha peeps

Landed in Fiji after an hour or so on the tarmac at Sydney Airport. Was okay as I had a great book to read. Its called Black Ice and Lou and Damien gave the series by the author. Love these books. Should have bought the next book in the series coz almost finished the book on the plane = silly me!

So the flight to Fiji (Fun In the Jungle Islands) was PACKED with kids. I think I am now put off!! I would be a bad mother, I'd put my iPod on and probably leave them on the plane!! Note to Lou and Damien..... bring noise canceling headphones for our trip to Fiji!!!

Landed in Fiji and literally walked from one plane to the next. Bit better than having a 2 hour layover. This plane was smaller, and we stopped over in Apia (Samoa) to drop off and pick up passengers. I met a super nice Hawaiian on this leg of the flight who was on vacation visiting family. He works over here in Waikiki so will hang out with him once I finish Molokai.

So I have my Dodge Charger... I am an awesome driver. Driving on the other side of the road doesn't freak me out. I even managed to stop at the stop signs and make a right turn with no issues = Becci is awesome (ok enough of self ego rubbing - waaaa whatevs)!!

No GPS in the car... I am a search and (destroy) find type of person. With a full tank of gas and a vague idea where to go, I was in the 'lets see what happens' kinda mood. And so far, everything is working out PERFECTLY!! I got to my hotel, parked by 830am. Check-in is at 3pm, but went to the check-in desk and they said my room was ready (like seriously OMG). Had my bag bought to my room. Unpacked (race gear hidden away - as someone wise once said 'dont live the race now' (I think thats right). Thank you to this person - you know who you are. And BTW: luck has nothing to do with it = top 5 best quotes EVER.

So now I am in the hotel lobby tapping madly at this AWEOMSE Apple keyboard (gots to gets me one a dees) my iPhone 3Gs at the internet store being charged and setup for data/calls etc. All on track.

So now what do I do? Call Erin/Kathryn/Pura and Hank. Pop over and see Erol for a surf. Probs call Ryan and organise a surfing trip on the south coast and pop over to Ala Moana shopping center. NO NAP REQUIRED for this traveler loving the vibe on being on vacation, loving in my heart, yellow Nikon watch on (amongst other clothing and accessories!!) and generally super excited to be here.

Just had a Starbucks tall Iced Caramel Machiato (cant spell and dont care!) and think I have about 5 more minutes left out the post 30 minute allowance... !!! Eekkk.

Actually saw someone get their 15ft and 12ft paddle boards from the oversized baggage area from my flight ahhhhhhhh annoying. But the customs officer said that they probs paid heaps of excess baggage so that made me feel better. Plus, sending it prior was a good idea because there is no way I could have gone to get my hire car and put  13kg board on soft racks in front of them!

Love and Aloha to all

Dipsy/Sandra: sorry for hanging on you so quickly yesterday, I was boarding and the lady was like 'GET OFF THE PHONE' and was like 'erm, okay'.
Mum/Anita/Siobhan/dad: thanks for calling me at the airporto, was great to chat to you xxx
Wish I had my right arm with me... Laa Laa ahhhhhhhhhhh

Tinky out
(soon to be Tipsey!!!)

International Departures

Ever heard of the phrase "it's raining cats and dogs"?? Well the last week in Sydney has been raining elephants and rinos with the odd shower of horses and monkeys. Rain drops that hurt are not good!
Sitting at Sydney international terminal all alone watching planes get covered in rain on landing when they taxi through giant size puddles at 200kph! One plane landed and went through a puddle that was so big it sprayed up over the nose and the pilots where playing hide and seek!

Breakfast part 2 now completed i am starring out the window thinking of the amazing dinner I had last night with a lot of my supporters and friends. We had Stew, Nina, Dale, Joey, Tori, Barbora, Justin, Ryan (who walked on crutches with a leg brace to get to dinner = legend lord huckle!), Jason, Damien and Louise. Your support means so much to me. I have the card with me and it will be with me on Molokai so I can remind myself of all the awesomeness of you guys.

Quote from last night: "I will either be at finish line drinking beer or in hospital on a drip"!!! Basically, nothing will get in my way of paddling to the finish line grrr flick my earlobes (checking you are reading this!)

Thinking I should have left my car outside so the rain could wash it but thought the elephants and rinos may squash it! Yeah I know that doesn't make a lot sense but like whatevz, am tots amaze!!!

Okay peeps. Time to sign off. Signing in again when in Fiji or Hawaii cruising around in a dodge charger with a 15foot board on the roof. Reckon dukes of hazard boys would be proud of this effort!

Yellow Submarine!

Before

 With the uncertainty of getting a 15 foot board on the plane, yesterday afternoon was spent packing up my board so it looks like a Yellow Submarine! 

Jason Hooker (documentary director) and I got the board (Bruce) all wrapped up and safe to send by an international freight company to Honolulu Airport. Now the tricky thing is to make sure that the 18cm rudder is protected. Luckily I had kept some polystyrene packaging so we could use this to protect the rudder. 

After = Yellow Submarine!

We started out filming and got the board out
garage to take out the fin water bottle cages and plan how to protect the rudder. Then mother natures pours down on us. Ugh! So we re-arrange and setup in the garage. Out of the rain we continue filming. We got through the majority of a 50 meter bubble wrap roll, and that just me putting it on like a dress and rolling down the drive way!!!


With the board wrapped up and rudder protected, we officially make it "The Yellow Submarine" with the kayak sock that Stew let me borrow - thanks S Man of Think Kayak (http://www.thinkkayaks.com/). Final touch was the red wrapping of FRAGILE tape. My Bruce is now fulling protected and will be waiting for me in Honolulu this Friday when I arrive. Hang in the Bruce! Play nice with the other boards and no playing with other rudders! Erm, this just got weird! Better get back to work and focus with Katy Perry on the iPod! Love it.

Drove to the freight company this morning and delivered Bruce and half my right kidney to pay to get the board flown over. Then the guy proceeds to tell me that the airline he is using to send the board is a passenger airline that would have taken my board as checked baggage = great start to Monday. Ah well, at least now I have a guarantee that the board will be there the day I land and that is the most important thing.Just means I have 1/4 less kidney and no new jeans and swimsuits!! eek! 


Final week countdown to departure: 4 more sleeps.

Acclimatising

So Sydney has been pretty cold over the last week and looks to be the same for the next week as well. Can''t wait to get into the warmer temperature of Hawaii. Hopefully I have left myself enough time to acclimatise!

With the weather on the weekend, 30 knot winds, I froze. Didn't have enough layers on my legs. The chilly winds gusting around me made me so cold that in about 20  minutes, all I wanted was my bed and a hot water bottle. Paddling into the wind for 30 minutes was brutally cold. So when I got to Point Piper I decided to turn around and catch the 1-1.5 foot wind chop back to Rose Bay for a hot shower. Took me about 10 minutes to get back! Fun times.Not quite the 4 hours on the water I wanted.

With white feet and red and white blotchy legs, the hot shower didn't seem to be making me any warmer. So brekky with Anita and a pot of tea with Belly was the remedy! Eventually warmed up!

The caretaker where I keep my board was asking a heap of questions before I went out paddling by myself in this wind and weather. Do you have a life jacket or PFD, a whistle, an orange flag to wave if you are in distress, anything that can help you if you get into trouble. No! Nothing.

 Whilst this can be dangerous to take no safety equipment with you, I thought to myself, if I fall off in these winds where the waves aren't anywhere near as massive as those in the Molokai Channel, then I shouldn't be paddling the Molokai Channel. 

I understand that when you are on the ocean in these sorts of conditions, where the south wester generated massive and dangerous surf conditions, and the ocean swell would have been huge, safety equipment is important. But on a board, where do I put it? I have had this discussion with many people. Some of whom understand how and what board paddling is and how I need to use my body, other have no idea, which is sometimes hilarious and sometimes annoying. But all in all they are just watching out for my safety. Perhaps I should be more like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and strap a knife to my leg and guns to my back, but remember to pack the whistle and little orange flag and inflatable Butler. Oh, I know. I will pack a mini megaphone and use that when get into trouble, I can just sing to people, that can be my distress signal. 
Safety in numbers always works well. Over. Rodgie! 

The Plan for This Weekend

TWO weeks left now until I fly out.
Just a few more little but crucial things I need to sort out.
Firstly, I need to get my drink bottle system sorted out. Basically what this means is that in the race, I do not want to have take the bottle out of the bottle holder on my board unless I am changing the bottles over. It wastes times, stops me from paddling, and can put me off balance if I can't get the bottles out etc. So, what do I? Imagine a Camel Pack backpack that comes with that long straw thingo that a lot of ski paddlers, hikers, walkers etc use. Now replace the bladder part with water bottles!! Easy!!
 Well, to achieve this, what I will do is find the tubing/straw and cut it to length so that it will reach the bottom of my water bottles but also have enough length to reach me lying down on the board, which will be about a meter I think - will let you know!! Then, I need to get those funny little bite nipple things. And most importantly, more bottles that fit into the bottles holders!
Now, will all this gear, the actual setup starts. I need to drill holes in all the water bottles so that I can feed in the tubing, secure the bite nipples to the tubing (ensuring they fit properly), then I need to work a little device that I can tuck the tubing under so that it doesn't drop in to the water, flap about on the board etc.
The highly complicated utensils of a coat hanger and duck tape come into play here. Not 100% sure how it will work, but the plan is to set this up on Saturday (tomorrow) and test it all out on Sunday in the race at Botany Bay. A cheeky little 8km with westerly winds.

Now that I have bored (haha board) you will the drink bottle system technicalities, what else can I bore you with... Well, there is the matter of my board getting to Hawaii. Umm... I booked Air Pacific thinking I would be sweet to get my board on the plane, but I am beginning to have  my doubts. I have lined up a freight company as a backup just in case.

Now I think that covers my plans for this weekend.
Oh yeah, one and half hour massage tomorrow afternoon which will be SWEEET!

Entry Listed Posted

The official list of competitors is posted:

http://www.molokai2oahu.com/event-info/competitors/entry-list/

There are 4 people in my division. So that's a little more incentive to not be first loser!!!

Heart rate increasing... !!!

It's Been A While

Love and Aloha Follower and Readers (and Archie and Ollie!)

Since my last post way back in March, I have had my head buried in the sand so apologies for no postings. It has been a busy 4 months with lots of logistics, training, and scares. 

Not sure where to start with this update as it's all flowing through my brain like a cat following a laser beam!

The Scary Paddles

My board paddling sessions in April and May were beginning to increase in duration. I was paddling 1.5-2 hours on the weekends and twice in the week still (as it was warm enough) and was feeling good. Then...

Paddle 1: whilst paddling from Double Bay to Camp Cove as part of a training set with the boys Colin and Jason (on stock and clubbie boards), I was half way across Watson's Bay, paddling steadily with the wind chop (booo to no clean southerly that weekend). The boys about 1km behind me, I was in my element. Solo paddler. Then, about 200 meters in front (and a bit to the left), a fin comes up out of the water, cruises along the surface in front of me and goes back down underwater. AHHHHHHHHHH best U-turn on the board I ever did. Prefer to be paddling away from the at rather than in the same direction. 

I paddled back to the boys who were refueling near Neilson Park (legs hanging over the side of their boards).. "What are you doing?",,, "Thought you were going to Camp Cove".... me: "Yeah, saw a fin cruising around and thought I'd turn back." At this stage, I still had all my hands, feet, legs and arms on my board. Col and Jason slowly moved their legs onto the board and were a little concerned. Not to mention that the following day I was support paddler for my best friend who was swimming from Bondi to Watson's Bay (yeah team Stevo/TT!)... best not mention that experience until all the swimmers were safely across the finish line. Was definitely more alert paddling for her. Had my plan all worked out. See a fin, put myself between my friend and the fin. See teeth, take a photo!! Yeah, okay, not the best plan, but other than making sure that the board was between danger and my best friend, not much else you can do. Give it a Mars Bars or Snickers maybe... Slab of Dairy Milk never goes astray. (Now no freaking out please mum and dad!!!)

Funny thing was that Colin told his wife Kylie, who saw me in the morning and mentioned it and I said "shhhhhh.... I haven't told anyone that story yet!!". Hehehehe. Swimmers relax, you were all safe!

Paddle 2: So the following week we had the Bondi Ball at the great Ivy Ballroom in the city. That day Colin and Jason were planning to paddle from Camp Cove to Little Bay. Wanting to get a 3 hour paddle under my belt I started from Rose Bay. Now, I didn't really want to paddle by myself so ask my friend Alan to join me from Rose Bay to Bondi. Thanks Alan!! Best support ski ever :)

Picking up Col and Jason on the way, all four of us paddled to Bondi.Condition's weren't great, but at least I was out paddling. At Ben Buckler, Alan headed into Bondi and I waited for Jason and Col. As the light was fading, already 230pm, I didn't want to wait too long, so told Jason I was going to take a straight line for Little Bay. With that, I headed off on the final stretch of my paddle. 

Already organise my dad (wooo) to pick me up at Little Bay I was all good. Should have asked him to pack a bottle of Rum or something to still the nerves was I was there. 

I have paddled that stretch of coast between Bondi and Maroubra countless times already this year and previous years training for Molokai. Its a great paddle on a southerly wind and swell (Maroubra to Bondi). Had some of the best paddles to date on that course.

Feeling pretty comfortable to about Lurline Bay, when I see HUGE groups of seagulls on the surface of the water. Now, my neighbor Brett (thank you Brett) mentioned to me that weekend that there were heaps of salmon migrating north and that there were heaps of Bronzers out chowing on them. So when I saw these huge groups of gulls, I decided to paddle around them giving them a wide girth. So wide in fact that I ended up paddling very close to the headland at south Maroubra. This headland (the rifle range on the southern headland of Maroubra) is something I have never paddled before. I had heard it is a double headland and that "Dead Man's Cove" is there. Called Dead's Man Cove because (apparently) that is where any dead bodies get washed up due to the underwater currents and hence..... guess... guess.. yup, sharks. So the police find half eaten bodies, limbs etc in Dead Man's Cove. Didn't know that piece of information until about a month ago!! 

Feeling a little bit tired, it was towards the end of my paddle, and I only had 1 bottle of Peak Fuel for the journey, the conditions were beginning to freak me out. The sun was fading (4:45pm Sydney Winter time is not a time to be on the water at Dead Mans Cove). The back wash from the cliff was like nothing I've paddled in before. Not a normal backwash like along the Gap (between Bondi and South Head), this was chopping. Perhaps similar to Chinamans Wall (the last cliff wall we paddle along at the end of the Molokai Channel). Definitely not a time for kneeling on a little board, so chose to stay prone (laying down). Then, to my left, I see a huge grey thing moving past me. Fin. AHHHHH. 

Now the paddle from last week and what Brett had said and my own mind were running a million miles an hour through my head. This is the MOST freaked out I have ever been. I had no "out" option. Cliffs with dangerous conditions on my right and ocean on my left. Only way out was forward, towards Little Bay and my dad. 

Hang on, there was that Whale encounter of 2009.... but at least I wasn't solo then. That also rates highly on the "freaked out" scale, but whales are generally harmless. 

Anyway, had a little cry (such a girl) on the board and mentally got myself together. When paddling into Little Bay I was so thankful. Got of my board and hugged my dad crying. Crying out of being scared and all by myself out there. Crying out of relief of making it. Crying because of what could have happened (I know I know... but whatever!). 

Anyway, gathered myself. Waited for Colin and Jason, then dad dropped me off at Rose Bay to get my car and things. Then it was time to get ready for the Bondi Ball. 

Boy, did I get in trouble that night. The vote was no more solo paddles. too dangerous. Love you allll. 

Training and stuff

Now that scary, chick stuff is out of the way, lets get on to more serious things. The following weekend after Paddle2, I damaged my shoulder. Didn't really think much of it at time. I was doing something normal, but awkwardly, and something twinged in my left shoulder joint. I finished my paddle with Joey D from Maroubra to Bondi on my clubbie board (my agreement with my best friend and dad not to paddle solo - thanks Joey for paddling with me x). Shoulder feeling a little sore, I rested for a few days and got back in the pool 4 days later. 

Got in the pool. 

Pushed off the wall. 

Stroked with my right arm = all good. 

Stroked with my left arm = NOT GOOD AT ALL. 

Tried again. AHHHH Far out. 

This was the most sore my shoulder has EVER been. 

I tried to swim back to the wall and was in so much pain. 

I stopped. Got out. Went to my coach. "I can't swim". I almost cried.

.

went and got my fins and did kick instead. 

.

Swimming is a huge part of my training. Makes up about 70% of my overall program. At that stage I was clocking up a lot of kms in the pool. It's like building the engine in the warmth of the pool (as opposed to being on the board freezing my tooshie off!). 

This was a major chink in the training chain for me. How was I going to cross the Molokai Channel now. I thought it was all over. I was so devastated. My 2 year dream gone. 6 months of training gone. I was in a bad place. Still am a little bit but I think that is more nerves and a little disappointment that I will be paddling in Molokai without the training under my belt that I wanted.I need to stay positive (thanks for everyone so far who understands this and is helping me focus).

I took 3 weeks off the board to rest the shoulder. Anything I did on the board hurt. I was in the pool just doing kick sets. You should see my kick now!! Watch out Jackie Chan! Since then (which is now about 6 weeks), I have been having acupuncture and physio every week. The shoulder is improving heaps and just this morning I was holding good pace in the pool again. Feeling good. Just need to be careful and train smart!

That about does it for now... stand by for more updates soon... off to get the bus to have physio.... 

Lots you lots 

Becci