Gunda, thought of sending you an email asking if you'd got brave enough to do it but thought it may be a bit depressing if you hadn't. Glad to see you've still got true blue big balls! Ian
I have to admit to being quite nervous - even after having done the swim for 26 consecutive years - and I owe a thank you to ICeCreamMan and Splash for taking my mind off the swim before the start.
I had put in the training, and was swimming a mile quite comfortably in the pool and in the sea, but I was not sure if it would be different swimming with all the other guys in Midmar.
I need not have worried. After about 50 meters I found a slow and easy rhythm and kept it until the end.
I swam outside the course marker buoys most of the way on purpose, as the lifeguards on the Malibu boards are mostly at the sides, and I sort-of leapfrogged from lifeguard to lifeguard just for the comfort.
But I am sure by next year there will be no fear.