All these photo's were taken today at Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Western Australia. I can honestly say we are very lucky here to have such amazing beaches to swim and play in. When I was there, early yesterday morning the water was crystal clear and you could see the marine life under you as you swam. Such an awesome feeling to be a part of it all.
I have always had a love for the beach, from being a child living in the hills of Perth (45 minutes away from the beach) coming down with my dad on a Sunday morning for an hour and swimming and playing, always wanting to
be way over my head in deep water. As kids we would spend time at the beach with my grandparents who lived 15 minutes from Cottesloe Beach, at City Beach, another great place to swim, though tends to be a little rougher in the water.
Today was just a short 800m swim, as I had already done a pool session this morning. I just felt the need to get into the ocean and enjoy the water and the sun...mind you the sand was hot!
This is also the starting point of the great Perth To Rottnest Channel Swim which is 20 kilometers (12.5 miles).
I have a strong drive and determination do to this marathon swim next year (2016), which I will do it solo, you can also do it as a duo, or team as well, but you must qualify first by doing a 10km timed swim, in under 4 hours and 15 minutes. This is a new challenge for me and one I am very much looking forward to doing.
People constantly tell me there are sharks out there, and there probably is, but they don't scare me as much as stingers (jellyfish) or massive ships that go across Gage Roads. I am sure all will be good on the day, and it will be smooth swimming...well I hope so.
So as Summer here comes to an end in February (technically) I will for the first time swim at an out door pool through Autumn (Fall) and Winter, and as some of our mornings get down to about 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, it will be hard getting up, but keeping in mind that the pool will be heated and watching the steam come off of the water will be amazing, just not looking forward to getting out of the pool, into cold air. I guess this is why the training and conditions we train in help with our mental training, which I have come to believe to be such a huge part of it all. If we don't train our minds as well as our bodies, there is no point going any further with it all.
I am taking time to train and enjoy my swimming, and finding the positives for being out in the ocean and out in the sun...and there are plenty of positives out there, peace and tranquility with the ocean and its contents...even if they can hurt you, but that is minimal, so its enjoying the time on my own, or with training partners. Seeing how far the body can go and feel after doing kilometer after kilometer. Also with being in the pool and following the black line up and down for hours, having the availability of having a waterproof iPod does help when in the pool. I don't use it in the open water, its to dangerous.
What is it that you want to make time to do and truly enjoy? I hope you find it and make the time for it in your life...we only have one life, and I know I don't want to get to the end of mine and if able to think what if...I would like to be able to say I am truly happy with what I have accomplished in my life and just maybe helped others to live the best possible lives they can.
Have an awesome week everyone...
Hayley xx
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