Swimathon

This afternoon we went to Billingshurst Sports Centre for our annual long pool swim challenge. There is the choice of distance and swimmers can elect to take on 2500 metres or 5000 metres or do either as a relay. We have always done the 5000 metre 200 length event simply because it is nation wide and is a splendid way to get in a long training event without interruption and have it recorded.

When we arrived there was no sign of a registration table and had to wait 30 minutes until they got that set up. In the end there was a very casual start that was 15 minutes late. The staff were all very nice but had not had any training as to how they should run this well known event.

I really enjoyed the long swim in a lane with only one other lady who was swimming just fractionally faster than me but alternating from front crawl to breast stroke and then stopping to rest every now and then. Eventually she settled down to taking her rest and waiting for me to get inside the reds before pushing off again which saved her having to overtake once in a while.
The down side was that organisation was at zilch level. The start; instead of a strict timed start with ten second intervals which is the norm, was one guy coming along and shouting "Lets do the Swimathon"????!!??!!?? And then walking away.
The unpaid lap counter's didn't really. Count that is. They chatted and moved about to the loud music.

In Steve and Kevin's lane They counted for themselves very carefully but when Kevin stopped; He was told there was 400 metres to go! Not happy.  He had brought a relative with a stop watch and upon using that as evidence had his finish time changed. When I had counted to 184 lengths, Steve came over and shouted that the counter girl had me at 170. Times will not be pleasing. Still I enjoyed it though. But now I have a serious case of chlorine poisoning. Can't stop sneezing.

Last year, I won my age group nationally. My finish time this year, that Steve took from his watch, that he did not stop when he finished, ended up at six minutes slower than last year. I am at a stage right now that I am not up for another dispute and will quietly settle for the time given. The reason for this is that I don't much care, its just a good excuse to get a nice long swim done. I refused the event swim hat and really have no space for yet another event medal, particularly an event that is best forgotten.