Blondie (car), sun, tent and triathlon… what more could a girl ask for?
Your money of course! http://www.idonate.ie/tri10
Of course I was coming back from a triathlon, so I had to take the bike out of the car to get to the spare wheel.
Then there were actual tears cried when …I turned around to see someone had taken my bike. It was gone. Completely. Absolutely no trace.
Fortunately. When I went into Wheelworx (where I’d been shopping) to see if they had cameras – I found my bike inside! Someone had spotted it, but missed my orange bum bent over my car, and had brought the bike inside.
So all good. Nearly. Rescue man broke another wheel stud, so now Blondie (car) and me, are loaded into a very big low loader…. and headed for my favourite garage.
Ashbourne Service Station here I come.
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I’m very excited to swim in Wexford today with the Wexford Masters Openwater Seaswimming Club. It’s not that far away from where I had my 1st ever sea swim, in neighbouring Waterford. I’ve got this old photo of that day, snapped in Tramore, a summer or two ago! (1969).
I was showing #Dad (91) the photo. Squinting, as he took a loan of my reading glasses to see better, he remarked: “Gosh you’re looking great there. Who’s the big man beside you, is it Fergal (Somerville)?”
“No dad” I replied “Look a bit closer” I said. “Hang on, let me zoom in a bit”.
A guffaw of laughter suddenly filled the room “Aha, would you look….it’s me” dad shouted “Look at that. Look at me. Look how tall and straight I am”.
An hour later, Dad was still talking about that trip to Tramore and my first ever sea swim.
I need to complete 6 sea races this year, to qualify for the privilege of participating in the Liffey Swim. The ancient 97yr old race through my own city’s beautiful watery heart. Tomorrow in Curracloe will be my 2nd sea race this year. It’s Wexford not Waterford, but after today, it’s going to have extra significance. The focus has changed slightly. Dad has agreed to come too.
The sea races are a bit like that; all tied up with family and friends, the sociability of meeting with other open sea swimmers, and those that admit the fascination with jumping into a cold sea with only a swimsuit, cap and goggles, can be a bit of an addiction. A good one though.
I’m not unaware of the fact that this year, the sea swims are also helping me with my big charity challenge of completing ten triathlons in a year, with my lovely triathlon ‘newbie’ team ‘Tri10’. We are ten people, doing ten triathlons, for ten local charities at every venue where we run, bike and swim. We have currently got 3 triathlons under our belt and we are racing again next weekend, so I’ll let you know later how the training is going. Check us out on iDonate and give us a few bob over the summer. Many thanks in Advance. TeenaG xxx