This has to be one of the best things I have ever done in my life!

Having moved from the UK, a lazy lump, who had not exercised properly for years, I was talked into entering this by a work mate who did the 750m after having a baby and encouraged a group of us to have a go

This has to be one of the best things I have ever done in my life! Having moved from the UK, a lazy lump, who had not exercised properly for years, I was talked into entering this by a work mate who did the 750m after having a baby and encouraged a group of us to have a go. More out of curiosity to see if I could do it, I went ahead and added my name on the website and paid my fee. I never actually believed I could do it and thought if it got too near the time and I couldn't do it, I'd just have to drop out. I started swimming after work about 4 months before the event and followed the training programme from the website. I swam every other day, sometimes 3 times a week other times 4 times. I started off doing breast stroke as I had done this all my life and have always found it was easier than freestyle. There were lots of evenings when I was tired after work but just made myself get in the car and drive on automatic pilot and get into my togs. At first I couldn't even manage 4 lengths of the pool (100m) being overweight and very out of breath, but made myself continue, knowing that there was a goal to reach and other people in my workplace who were going through the same thing themselves in different pools around Wellington, so couldn't let them down. It was amazing how I seemed to progress so quickly. As a naturally cynical person, I thought it would never happen, but the training distances just seemed to grow and grow, one day I could only do 100m, then in the next few weeks I could do 500m and then a few weeks later I could do the 750m I had entered for. I was elated, thinking I had cracked it, but then realised from the programme, that swimming in the sea is far more challenging than the pool and I had to get much fitter to be able to do 750m in the waves! I worked my way up to doing 1500m in 10 weeks and decided as the weather was getting warmer and sunnier and having just seen the Auckland Harbour Crossing swim on TV, to try a swim in the sea. I borrowed a wetsuit and discovered... TO MY HORROR...that I couldn't swim breast stroke very well as the wetsuit made my legs more buoyant so I was kicking fresh air rather than water! I only had 4 weeks before the actual event and I felt desperate. What on Earth was I going to do? Just pull out? Forget about it? Be defeated? I decided to see if I could try freestyle in the pool one last time. I thought, this is it, I need to try at least. So I tried and tried and swallowed water, coughed and choked as I seemed to get the breathing and strokes all wrong and I was sooo out of breath all the time. In the lanes next to me there were lots of kids being taught how to swim, so I spent some time watching them and listening to the instructor's advice. It was good to hear that everyone has their own way of doing this that suits the speed they swim and their capacity to take in air. I learned gradually, and very slowly, to breathe and turn my head and sight ahead, without swallowing water and not get out of breath. I couldn't believe it, yet again I felt a sense of excitement and elation that maybe I really could do this. I worked my way through the next 2 weeks building my distance up to 1250m without stopping and timing myself. I seemed to take forever and to be honest, was more worried that I might be dragged out by the life savers on the day and a loss of pride than drowning! I went with my workmate for a practice one evening and was stunned that I could swim the entire course with only one stop. I just had to continue, I had read Martin Bosley's blog and knew that I wasn't the only one who had had ups and downs all the way along. It was so nice to see lots of people down at the Harbour practising and everyone was so friendly and supportive, no competitive talk or intimidation, just pats on the back and encouragement. Finally the day came. The night before I had had a restless sleep, a combination of not really knowing what to expect with, excitement and a touch of fear. We drove down with the beautiful cloudless sky above and the sun shining down on us. The harbour looked so inviting, with the water clear and pretty calm...how lucky! My workmates and I hugged and made nervous jokes about it all. We zipped ourselves into our wetsuits, heard the gun and then we were off. A mass of legs, arms, frothy water and adrenalin! I had to correct my direction a few times as in all the rush, I forgot to keep sighting ahead of me, but managed to get around the fountain without crashing into anyone. It was at this point, that I could just feel "I CAN do this". It didn't matter that I was tired, or where I was in the crowd, it was just me and my personal best I had in front of me. I wanted to do well, I wanted to succeed. My strokes became longer and more confident and I could see Freyburg beach, only metres away. I dragged myself out of the water as I could feel the sand on my feet and ran for all my might (a very wobbley run) for that last few metres through the finish line with my girlfriend and friends screaming their support. What an incredible feeling! I finished in 17 minutes and 8 seconds, not bad for a 44 year old! I feel so differently about things now. Sport and events used to be for other people...but now I know, with the right training, the right attitude, a fighting spirit and the incredible support of everyone around me, virtually anything is possible. Thanks everyone, I am entering for 2011, so if you are reading this - Have a go!