Monday, April 28, 2014

April 1k Time Trial - 16.57 1st Golden Duck comes home.

Well after many hard months of blood, sweat & tears (not to mention abuse) it all seemed to pay off yesterday at the A.B.C Pool for the last of the  time trials for the season.
The April 1k t/t was delayed till the Monday with Anzac Day falling on the Friday and with no swimming done for the past 3 weeks I didn’t think I stood a chance for the prized ‘Golden Duck’ especially seeing Pete Walkers miserly handicap given.
Smaller crowd today but don’t let that fool you with triple winners (the champ & Angus)and last month’s winner (cialis) on the starting blocks looking for more glory, throw in the ever reliable Coach Walker and Lady Laura off a generous handicap and I knew I had my work cut out.
The Champ and I were starting together and he tried every trick in the book to lose me – Think he changed lanes 9 times in the first 250 metres  I struggled to stay with him for the first 150 and couldn’t even be bothered to change lanes after that thinking I was ‘dropped’ Just hung in and was then surprised when I caught him and flew by at the 400 metre mark. Battled on despite feeling tired at 750-800, managed to take a seconds look at 900 and with the crowd going ballistic pool side I managed to touch out in 16.57 and in the process take out the prestigious ‘Golden Duck Award’ with Coach Walker 2nd on the day.
Don’t know where that come from to be honest, as no training was done for weeks in the pool, all I can put it down to was just ‘finding a little heart’
So a Golden Duck sits pride of place on the mantelpiece as I join the exclusive list of winners that include Élan, Mermaid Emma, Charlie Low and now Lindop…………does it get any better?
Overall Times
Pete Walker     14.30
Angus                  16.42
Cialis                    16.44
Lindop                 16.57 (Duck Winner)
The Champ       17.49
Lady Laura         20.00

With the pool closing now till September, Brendan has kindly organized a luncheon tomorrow (Wednesday) for all swimmers and sorted some awards and trophies out that include, Swimmer of the Year, t/t performance of the year and participation award of the year? I reckon I must be a shoe in for the ‘Double’ after yesterday, just hope people didn’t submit their votes pre race? J

I missed the Tuesday HuRTS session due to working all day in the city so need to get out first thing in the morning for a trot around the park.

Couldn’t finish off without a mention of Slim Sammy Agnew’s 40th Party on Saturday evening, absolute belter of an evening with a  good showing from the HuRTS boys that included Tommy H, Enda, Kanser, Tucks, Quentin, Jamie, Warrior Charlie and Ben to help our South London Palace fan mark the occasion.  As expected the TRASH levels hit record volumes with Enda trying to even get Quentin in the Irish team based on that he lived in Boston (and that is considered an Irish town?)
Kanser was talking his chances up for the Half and even offered a $20 scratch bet that he will turn me over in the State 10k this week (yes, he was very drunk)
Many thanks to Sammy and in particular his lovely wife Jacqueline for the invite and making it such a successful evening……….all without Sammy knowing a thing about it

At long last i get my hands on a Duck, The Golden Duck 1k winner for April.



Kanser, Tom, Birthday Boy Sammy (in NEW shirt), friend Alex and Timmy.



With Sammy and his sister Mia



Timmy, Sammy and a very drunk Dave Kane (moments before he was lobbed out)

Cheers

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