I was wanting to prepare for an annual challenge (the Duel at the Pool) involving a good friend who is an aging (but awesome) tri-athlete.  He has finished several Hawaii Iron Mans, and was at one time a leading member and coach of Canada’s Ultra-Marathoners (crazy people who run 100 kilometre and 100 mile road races).

The Duel at the Pool is a 5 kilometre swim challenge … he and I meet up the second September of each year and swim until we can’t see straight.  Swimming 5 kilometres takes (me) between 80 and 90 minutes, depending upon the direction of the wind and is as much a mental challenge as physical, because swimming such a long distance is NOT very exciting, in terms of scenery or other pleasures associated with exercise or sport.

5 kilometres is 40 lengths of this magnificent pool:

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Back at the beginning of my preparation, I stated that i intended to get up to a minimum of 15,000 metres per week in mid-July and keep at it until early September.

I’m pleased to report that by and large I have accomplished my goal, with the exception of a couple of weeks in Montreal .. I still had access to a pool there and swam regularly, but my distances were reduced due to a smaller pool that was somewhat crowded with other swimmers.

I got back to Vancouver at the end of August and immediately got back into the Kitsilano pool (see picture above) .. since returning I have been swimming on average 18,000 metres per week.

Since the beginning of my training in June I have lost about 11 kilograms (approximately 24 pounds) and I am feeling quite fit, actually.

The Duel (check out the juvenile comments section) is scheduled for one of the next four or five days … I’ll let you know what happens and who ends up buying the beer, but I am VERY confident.

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