Tri Tri and Tri again

amongst many boxes that i wanted to tick was to complete a triathlon, and there is no better place than the States. there are so many over here, the climate is condusive and with so many people of all shapes and sizes competing here, youll never have to worry about being last...there isnt an elitism about events like this, and that makes them so accessible...in fact, i see more athletic and toned people in Texas than a) fat people and b) in the uk...yes there are overweight people here, but there is certainly also a significant proportion of uber fit people, but very polarised

anyway, off to the seaside, to Galveston, which was the island town which was totally obliterated by hurricaine ike a few months ago...but to be honest, its a bit like Skegness if youve ever been there, a bit tatty and cheap looking seaside town thats seen better days, regardless of strong winds. was supposed to be going with Nikki but she was injured, so had to go one my own, which i tell you, sucks, especially when i didnt really know what to do, where to go or anything as this was my first triathlon.

i drove down friday night, went to the venue and checked in, picked up my gubbins, t-shirt, number(s) and blue swimming cap...oh yeah...a swimming cap...hmmmm...

it was nice being at the venue the night before, they were setting up, and i got a sense of excitement that i always get at things like this, the excitement that is frustratlingly lacking if im not competing. just being around the place was great. my main concerns were few-fold. a)the housekeeping of just getting to the start and not forgetting something...like my bike or something, b) the swim...ah the swim, in the open sea with 100 other men thrashing around like piranhas, and you have to do the freestyle/crawl..mmmm...never my stength..and had ahem only done one training swim...in a pool...mmmm... the rest was ok, just the faffing and the swimming