You know it only takes a decision…a question of yourself to which the answer is a simple YES! Put yourself out there and all things are possible. Take a leap out of your comfort zone.

Was it easy? Hell no!! Between the 1st and 2nd marker bouys I doubted my ability to do it. Having never swum with so many people, bumping into people, couldn’t get my breathing right, my training rhythm wasn’t working, swimming into the swell. But by that 2nd bouy I did find my rhythm. I can’t thank the boys enough for swimming with me, encouraging me, plus the wise-ass cracks kept me going.

I did it. I completed a 2KM ocean swim. So amped!!!!! Under an hour, 56 minutes. 257th of 277 swimmers. So stoked.

Anything is possible…you just need to believe in yourself.

Swimming is improving greatly, I think partly as a result of the cycling and general fitness. And also I’ve ditched the boardies and just doing the budgie smugglers. I am really surprised at the difference. My new goggles help being much clearer, although not prescription my underwater vision is vastly improved. The last three sessions have got me up to 900-1000m at best guess.

The iMapmyfitness app on the phone is brilliant. Although doesn’t help the swim bit LOL. Here is yesterdays map.

Day seven – Wednesday 18th September (Summit Day!)
Barafu Camp (4,550m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)
Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Mweka Camp (3,100m)
Hiking Time: 8 hours up, 7-8 hours down
Distance: 7 km up, 23 km down
Habitat: Scree and seasonal snow

You will rise around 11:30 PM, and after some steaming tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685m) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see a supremely sanguine sunrise. At Stella Point you join the top part of the Marangu Route, but do not stop here too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to the cold and fatigue. Depending on the season and recent storms, you may encounter snow on your remaining hike along the rim to Uhuru Peak. On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment and know that you are creating a day that you will remember for the rest of your life. After your 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gear, and hike down a rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100m). This camp is in the upper forest, so you can expect mist or rain in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be prepared, and the camp office sells drinking water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beer!