I was so pleased that it was calm as my last OWS I had been really sea-sick. I had a lovely swim, no problem with other people as I was all on my lonesome at the back so could get into a nice rhythm and enjoy it. I got passed by the folk doing the 2nd lap of the 5km race but it was all very well behaved. The water smelt of oil from the jet skis but just in parts and I only got stung once by a jellyfish. I am thrilled that I managed to swim freestyle the whole way; I was worried I might have to resort to a bit of breast stroke. A few years ago, I couldn't even put my face in the water in a pool and I only recently kicked my ocean demons in to touch. My fear of swimming in the ocean and my worry that I wouldn't have that brief pause at the end of a lap has prevented me from doing anything but the short women's only events in the pool or the river. Now I know I can do the distance and I can concentrate on getting faster.

Nothing really, apply more sunblock so that my race number isn't branded on my arms for several days.

Chatting to people I knew after the race and waiting to come down from the incredible high I was on and cheering on the 2.5 and 5km racers as they came out the water. Lots of water and some fruit. More playing in the waves, my five year old had made a friend with the son of one of the other competitors and didn't want to leave. Second breakfast at the sausage sizzle run by the local surf club.


Lack of experience and natural ability.


I'm going to do the next race in the series, as an ex-pat Scot now living in Australia, swimming in the beautiful ocean around where I live is really a childhood dream, born in chilly Highland lochs, come true. I was always scared because the ocean seemed so big and I was so small. The ocean doesn't seem so big after today.