Swim Athy 2009 - a weekend in the sun
May 25th, 2009 by Gavin
It was after this photograph in O’Neills Pub in Drumcondra that I forgot to switch my camera off - so the next day when I went to take some shots the battery was brown bread.
I was home in Ireland at the weekend to attend Swim Athy
Some early morning chamois time on Sally (more about her later in the week) was followed by a very pleasant trip to Costa Coffee in Edinburgh Airport. My transition between car park and white chocolate muffin was effortless - no bike bag, no qeues, no one trying to give me a new credit card …… I even got complemented on my belt by an over enthusiastic security guard who gave me one of the best friskings I have ever had (feckinloveagoodfriskingme).
I only got recognised in my civilian clothes by CV as I walked past him for the 3rd time going through security - He, BC and the Scottish Youths were on their way to Eton and seemingly they laid the smack down on all the other Britonians as they took the first 4 placings . . . congratulation 5 !
“oh I didnt recognise you out of your……. your sports clothes”
“good save CV ! cause if you had of said swimming trunks I would have got the security guard to beat you with his truncheon”
When we realised at 5pm that the Leinster rugby match was not being shown on RTE I killed the party by informing my borther I couldn’t leave the house until 6, shackled by my will to represent Ireland internationally. Alas though after a 10 second count down at the door at 5.59.50pm we left and caught the second half of the match. A meal on Grafton Street and an evening in the International Comedy Club ended a good day.
Bright and early on Sunday I travelled to Athy.
I set a new Irish World Record by an Irishman for an Irish 1500m in Open Water wearing a blueseventy helix suit
13mins 50 seconds !!!
If you were in Athy too you would have had some PB’s as the conditions were very fast 
The sun was out and a couple of Polish dudes would have went to work with half of their faces burnt this morning.
After a quick ‘Master Class’ with my 12 lovely ladies I set another World best for 750m !
Project - ‘I will lead the lane once again in the Shire’ is gaining momentum.
As the water was flowing fast I had to adapt the content of my coaching session but I hope the athletes in my group learnt a few things or at least I gave them somethings to think about the next time they are training . . . . needless to say that if you are in Athy next weekend and you spot a chick ripping off her rubber quicker than you can say
“I wish I had of went to Swim Athy last weekend, Gav would have told me what to sight off during the swim, where to position myself in the water, how to fit my suit properly, how to conserve energy, how to lube up and the one about the man with swine flu who had never been to Mexico but had been with a few pigs”
you will know she was there
One Response to “Swim Athy 2009 - a weekend in the sun”
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June 17th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
hi
i took part in the barrow swim on the 24th may and i got first place (1500m). i understand that the prize was a wet suit. could i make some arrangement with you to collect this?
thanks
catherine
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