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It's my big swim on Sunday morning at 10 am- 1.6 km (1 mile) from Warriewood Beach to Mona Vale Beach.
I know I've done the training and I should be OK. The swell is quite small at the moment which is good, but we will be swimming into a 15-20 knot headwind which could make conditions quite choppy
I'm such an anxious person, and the little voice in the back of my head keeps telling me all the reasons why I should not be doing this. I've never done an ocean swim before, I'm petrified of blue bottles and being stung, everyone else will be 6ft and built like a brick shithouse (I'm 5'4" and 147 lbs), my goggles leak, it's gonna be too hot (about 95 farenheit), the headwind is gonna knock the stuffing out of me, I'm not good enough.
I'm determined to do it though. Sunday will also be my 3 year anniversary since diagnosis. I want/need to show myself that this bug, and my anxieties are not going to be beat me. Not this time, not anymore.
Wish me luck.
Stephen
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Stephen...... You are FEARLESS . Need I say more?
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You know you've got me rooting for you! And I think I can safely speak for others here when I say that we want a full post report!
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I agree I can't wait to hear all about it. How exciting, you are going to have an amazing experience. I am glad you are listening to the bigger voices that are telling why you should...
Best wishes,
Drew (who misses the ocean)
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Very, VERY AWESOME!! You will be great!!! Post those celebratory photos!!!
TSW
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Fearless or stupid? I'm not quite sure yet.
Oh yeah, I added 10kg to my body weight too, I'm only 125 lbs.
And, I've got a mate coming along to take pics.
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It's going to be great. Your enthusiasm alone is exciting! Shoot, get new goggles if the old ones are leaking?!?!?!lol
Have a great time~
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Hey Lil Teddybear,
Good luck with your swim matey. Are you wearing ya dick togs? hehe :P WOOF! We wants photos.
xx
Matt
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Best of luck to you Stephen
You know we are all here rooting for you!
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Little Steve
Suggestion:
Pick out the best looking "brick shit house", and start kicking your legs like crazy.
(wait that sounded naughty ::))
Take #2
Pick out the best looking "brick shit house", get in the water and start stroking like crazy.
(Jesus that sounded even worse ::) )
Aw screw it! (That's sounded just filthy! ;D)
You know what I mean! ;)
Good luck to you buddy! :-*
RAB
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Hey little big guy....
you'll do you fine. What 's this "...I'm not good enough." Yeah, right. LIke rocky said, once you get in the water, just start stroking and kicking. And if you start sinking, well make sure it's one of those brick shit houses that give you mouth-to-mouth.
And by the way, whats the going pledge? Whatever you earn, I'll donate that amount to the AIDSMEDS Gathering Fund, deal?
robert.
(who wishes he was there to grease you down with lots of crisco before the swim and massage out those cramps when you're finished)
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Your wish has been granted.
"What Can I do today to make a better Tommorrow?"
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You know we are all here rooting for you!
Nadine, you do know what that means to us Aussies don't you ;) Rooting = Faunicating. WOOF! You go girl! haha
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Good luck Steve! I'm pulling for you....
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Hey Stephen,
I'm with Matt, I can't wait to see the photos. Will you be wearing some of those delightfully revealing trunks the Aussie lifeguards wear? WOOF!
I'll be rooting for you - and cheering you on as well! ;D
BIG HUGS,
Mark
Who thinks compact, well built, Austrailian ocean swimmers with enormous hearts are hawt!
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Good luck Steve..
Don't doubt yourself one bit... to tell you the truth I don't think for a minute you do. I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing those pics. You are definitely an inspiration to me... that 125 lbs is all in the heart my man.
Fearless is definitely a fitting name for you.. always has been!
Again Steve.. goodluck!!
Thomas
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Thanks for all the well wishers.
All this pulling and rooting, though. It's a swim, not an orgy ;D
Yes, I will be wearing tight little scungies, dick stickers, budgie smugglers, or whatever else you want to call them.
Robert, there are no pledges as such - they raise money for the surf life saving club through our admission fees only. And, thanks for the rub-down offer. Vaseline under the arms to prevent chafing, some spit in the goggles and I'll be on my way. Eek
I managed to nick some pics of last years swim.
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So tell me....
Will you be wearing a Speedo?
Moisture !!
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Good Luck with the swim...I agree w/ the others, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
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thunter,
scungies, dick stickers, budgie smugglers = all slang for speedo's
I love this picture from the website. It comes with the following caption:
The lawns at Mona Vale are perfect for codgers catching up with each other, exchanging yarns on how good they used to be.
Can't wait.
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Steve: When you get into that water, think the thought that you have become a part of it. Take heed and experience the difference!
"What Can I do today to make a better Tomorrow?"
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You can do it Steve! I'll even let Australia win today to put you in a good mood.....
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Darlin Steve, you will be fab because you are fab!
Swim your super speedos off! And dont forget to breathe!!!
Love & hugs
Your sweetest honey :-*
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Hey Stephen
Good luck buddy, I know you'll do great. Stay within your self, have faith, never mind about the big boys.
Let us know how it all goes, OK ?
Paul, your friend down south
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Nadine, you do know what that means to us Aussies don't you ;) Rooting = Faunicating. WOOF! You go girl! haha
Hey, whatever it takes :D
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The Codgers remembering what used to be?
I'll have you know Codgerism is a standard that is hard to attain - but I'm getting closer. ;D
Have a great time Steve. In my book, you're already a winner.
HUGS,
Mark
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You will do fabulous! One stroke at a time...and breath...
Don't worry about the bigger guys...they just sink faster! ;)
Christine
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Little Steve,
Don't you know it's the bigger pieces of driftwood the current takes hold of? You'll be outswimming all them!
Is it too late to send you a new pair of goggles via amazon.com.au? Just give me the shipping address.
Good luck!
Boo
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Best of luck on your swim! You can do it!
Hugs
Teresa
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YEEHAH, I did it.
I arrived up at Worriewood at about 8.30 this morning. The surf was choppy and as cold as ice in the water (we are hving these bizarre cold currents in Sydney at the moment. It should have been 23 Celsius in the water but it was below 17, but not as cold as yesterday when it was just 15. brrrr).
I was as anxius as all hell and seriously considered pulling out, but my mate Steve reassured me that all would be OK. It just look such a long, and the first boy was some 250 metres off-shore, through the surf and chop and 'dangerous current'. But, I decided to suck it and see.
The swim out through the surf was the hardest. I kept taking on water, and the swell kept pounding me. I very, very nearly pulled out. My anxiety was overwhelming and my breath short. I thought, there is no way I can do this. I managed to pull myself together - the shame and fear of withdrawing and returning to shore was greater than my fear of not making the distance. I boobed for a minute, slowed my breath, and broke it down into small tasks. 1st target was to make the first buouy, then the 2nd and so on. I got inot a rhythm, forgot about the freezing water and the overall task. When I rounded the last buouy and headed for home, I still had energy to spare and powered home. My legs were jelly when I hit the sand, but I made it. I'm not sure of my time, they told me but I can't remember. I'll get the final results in the next day or two, so I'll let you know.
I'm so proud of myself, and it was the best thing I've ever done. I confronted my fears and anxiety and I won.
Pics to follow.
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and some more pics.
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Steve: Truly, there is an awesome result of personal power when you DO confront your fears and your anxieties.
1. Sort out your tasks
2. Set your pace
3. Keep your focus and your determination
4. You then will make it to the finish line
AWESOME!
"What Can I do today to make a better Tomorrow?"
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Way to go Steve..i don't know how I missed this thread, you have every reason to be proud.
Hugs
Jan :-*
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YAY STEVE!!!
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g312/hckytwngrl/thcongratulations.gif)
I knew you would make it
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(http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9468/wtgdancingbug7vi.gif)
Great pics!
Hugs
Teresa
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Congratulations, we always knew you had it in you.
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YEE HAW!
Way to go Steve! I was winded just looking at the surf in those photos!
I'm going to lift one in your honor today!
BIG CELEBRATORY HUGS!
Mark
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;D YAY TO STEPHEN!!! ;D
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO!!!
Soooooooooooo proud of you honey! ;) Now relaaaaaaaaax....!
Love hugs & a great big kiss
Melia :-*
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Steve,
Awesome... just fricking awesome!! I commend you for doing something so challenging and I can only imagine how it felt walking on that shore after finishing. You have come along way Steve. I am really proud of you!
Thomas
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So exciting!! Good luck!
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Congrats! For he is such a good fellow...
rob
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congrats! (and how cold was the water ? )
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Fantastic! Those waves were scary looking. You did it!! Yea!!
Christine
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Steve, all I can say is Wow! Those waves look to be very unforgiving....
NOW WHAT YOU GONA DO!!!
Love,
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thats very cool!
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Hey Steve:
You rock! Seriously!
With a whole new level of respect and wonder,
RAB
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YAY STEVE ! I knew you could do it bud.
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Steve....
That is so cool. I was thinking of you yesterday while you were swimming. I knew it was your big day and, buddy, you did IT! What is it about these little, piddly things like swimming in the surf that makes us feel so good? I don't know but I'll tell you, I'm proud of you, that's for sure
robert
(who was busy rubbing out those cramps of yours in his dreams) :P
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Wonderful, congratulations and thanks for showin us we keep on livin' and succeeding!
Drew
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Good for you! Great pictures too!
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Hey Teddybear,
I'm proud of you, that was very, very amazing. Congrats my mate.
xx
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Steve --
Congratulations!! You really kicked butt out there!! Way to go...enjoy it...bask in your success... And then let us know what you are gonna do for an encore!!! ::)
TSW
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Congrats! That's awesome Steve!~ Thanks for sharing your adventure with us ;D
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Hey Steve
Way to go !!!
Any more big swims in your future, maybe this summer ?
Cheers
Paul
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Way to go, Stephen! Totally fan-freaking-tastic. What a way to commemorate your D-Day! I'm glad it all went swimmingly for you - I had every faith in you that you'd triumph and triumph you did. Well done mate!
Hugs,
Ann
xxx
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Well done mate! This post inspired me to go ahead and sign up for a run i'm going to do. I nearly backed out but could tell what a sense of achievement you had after finishing that!
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Thanks guys/gals,
I feel on top of the world and ready to face any challenge life has to throw at me. As many of you may recall, I'd been having some therapy last year to overcome my anxieties. During the sessions, it became clear to me that I've been suffering from anxiety all my life. It had prevented me from doing so many things, and well, led me toward the the behaviours that resulted in my infection.
Whilst the swim itself was important and fun, the real victory was in facing up to and overcoming my fears. A lesson I can hopefully now apply to so many other aspects in my life.
As for future challenges, well for starters, I intend on swimming in the Sydney Harbour Swim Classic, a nice and easy 1.5 km swim in Sydney Harbour. The backdrop as you can see from the pics is simply stunning, the race starting and finishing at the Opera House. Stay tuned.
"Your chance to inspect the Opera House, the Botanical Gardens (well, its seawall, anyway), Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Fort Denison and the Sydney Harbour Bridge close up and personal. How often do you get to see these icons from in the water? Well, often, maybe, if you've been in the habit of falling overboard from Harbour cruises.
This is a pretty special swim, against one of the most spectacular backdrops in Stray'a.
Water is good, much better than most who haven't done this swim expect. Indeed, the water is pretty good as a rule. And, at that time of the morning - this swim starts earlier than most, to get all the mugs out of the harbour before the ferries really get cracking, and the weekend admirals in their out of control sailboats get blown off course by ineptitude - there is a calmness about it. Ahhh, the serenity (beep! booommpphh! smack! crash!) on the harbour at that time of the morning. But don't be deceived. Despite this pacific scene, this swim can challenge you from your toes to your mind. The deep waters and the narrow channel of Sydney Harbour mask a ferocious current when the tide is on the flow. That's why the organisers brought the course closer in to Farm Cove last season. It's no dinky swim. But it's a privilege doing it.
The Sydney Harbour Swim Classic essentially follows the course of the swim leg in the 2000 Olympic triathlon - Man o' War Steps towards Mrs Macquaries Chair, out to Pinchgut and back to Man o' War Steps via Bennelong Point, under the northern foyer bar of the Opera Theatre."
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And, as a reward for all my hard work and efforts, I plan on taking a holiday to Lord Howe Island possibly in April this year.
It's a World Heritage listed Island, part of New South Wales (my home state) and about a 3 hour flight NE of Sydney. It has the southern most coral reef in the world, the pristine waters ideal for snorkelling and some great rainforest and walking trails.
Home to about 200 permanent residents, no more than 400 tourists are permitted on the 12 sq km Island at any one time.
My kinda relaxing holiday.
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Sorry, I'm gonna bore you guys to death with this, but I wanna blow my trumpet some more.
The official results are in.
I finished a respectable 464th from a total of 512 who finished the race. In all, some 568 people started, but 56 did not finish either due to hypothermia (it was 15 to 16 in the water, hence the shrinkage) or they couldn't make the distance which was over 2 km, not the 1.6km it was meant to be.
In my division, 40-44 year old men, I finished 55th of 61 entrants.
You can read all about it at: http://www.oceanswims.com/nsw67/monavalerep07.html (http://www.oceanswims.com/nsw67/monavalerep07.html)
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It's all still awesome! It's great to hear that the therapy has been helping you with anxieties, and your life is now opening up to you with all sorts of possibilities!! More power to you~ ;D
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Woohoo!
How in the hell did I miss this thread too? Let's hear it for the 40-44 age group (Holla!)
Great, great job Steve. Inspiring story, not only for the race itself, but the background surrounding your reasons for entering the race.
Just one question: how the hell does one get to Lord Howe Island? Um, not by swimming i take it ;)(sorry couldn't resist). The place doesn't look big enough for an airport.
In admiration,
John
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John,
the airport is that tiny cleared area you can see running across the island, pretty much smack bang in the middle. Gonna make for one hell of a landing.
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Great job Lil Steve!!!!!!! Sorry I'm just getting to this now.
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Good things come in petite packages. You may have some advantage in your size.
The others have more drag with the head winds. More weight plus more force equals
more work.
None the less I'm sure you will at least show yourself that you can do it.
C1