Portobello Aquathon and The Benchmark

Having spent too long talking to The Editor about pre-race nerves, and the physical manifestation of them, I now understand the term Lightening the Load. I even shaved my 14 year old Goatee beard to generate less drag during the swim.

750m swim (with a long beach start, including transition) = 15 mins 17 secs. I know, I know, it was a bit slow.

5km dash along the flat seafront = 20 mins 53 secs. That's remarkable and shows what Lycra can do for a man when it's correctly fitted to an attractive, faster lady.

So these are my new Benchmark times to be improved upon.

Speaking of Benchmarks, I've found out that I am increasingly annoying other people. Not because of my words or actions, but because I'm getting fitter. More than just one of my friends thinks that this is simply not on. They decided a long time ago that I was the 'maximum danger level' on their 'Healthometer'. "Oh, I'm nowhere near as unhealthy as the Walrus, so I must be OK."

It was an arbitrary, albeit easy choice to select me, what with my prior condition. I wouldn't say they were aiming very high, though. What a difference a year makes.

Current weight is 13 stones (182 pounds / 82.5 kg).

I'm expecting to go into the 12s this week.