This morning was the last day in the big pool - for the past six months it's been great to be swimming in the same pool as some of best triathletes competing in Ireland - Each morning we would see athletes like Bjorn Ludick doing his swim routines and ask the question - how does he go so quick! Another who we have seen over the past few months include Colm O'Neill (a legend in open water swimming- he is the ONLY person ever to complete the North Channel Ireland - Scotland on his first attempt).
Another morning we had just got changed and were about to get into the pool when we noticed about 40 youngsters sitting poolside - many had USA, Canada, and Australia swim caps... Then we saw on the information screen that the USA junior swim team were in Ireland for a training camp. I can't help but wonder what they must have thought of us two in the same pool! After watching them for a few minutes we very quickly realised that just maybe there could be a young Michael Phelps or Ian Thorpe on the team! They were hugely impressive and they were so young. We also realised that if anyone says to you before a triathlon that they swam a little as a child then you need be afraid .. be very afraid!
We have enjoyed swimming in the National Aquatic Centre - it's a great experience and I would encourage anyone to get into a 50m pool, its such a different swimming experience. While it's a great to swim there nothing really can prepare you for the best place to swim of all and that is out in the open water. Out there with no black line down the middle to follow and feeling a wave crash over your head - Pure Class!
We can't wait for Monday.
Do you have around 10 degrees in the pool to? ;)
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