Mailbu Triathlon - training?

Last one for the year.. well there was the first and this one. haa haa... I did train for this a little more then the Redondo, but Malibu definitely reminded me to respect the ocean.

T-3 weeks - ocean clinic: When we pulled up to Zuma's parking lot, Sharon's words were "I AM NOT GOING IN THERE". (the waves looked like 5-6 foot waves. We were able to get our act together and meet the group. We stood around the beach watching very big waves and the advance folks get knocked around the surf. The life guards then told us to not go into the ocean... so of course Sharon was very excited and was very happy to oblige. Yup no swim that day just did the run. T-2 weeks ocean clinic: waves looked ummm a little scary still. fairly big in my opinion... so attempt 2. We split into 2 groups one that will practice going in and out of the surf, the other will do the 1/2 mile swim. We all thought.. hmmm.. can't be that bad we should practice the distance. Boy were we wrong.. first time out, kept getting pushed backed by the wave couldn't go under, we kept trying, knocked over by waves (an interesting view from underwater looking at the sun light coming through the water). We were so out of breath after the bad set..I looked over at Sharon which she had that look of what the... (she also lost her swim cap/goggles). So both Sharon and I scurried over to the 'practice going in and out of the surf' group. Monica brought her 'animal out' and was able to get out of the surf and do the 1/2 mile swim. K, going back to Sharon and I... The second attempt out, again couldn't make it past the waves. Finally the 3rd and 4th were successful..but geez.. really...it's no carpentaria beach, but come on, this bad? really? yah..open water swim, not so fun. On a happier note, we did do the ride after which was beautiful and do able. T-1 week ocean clinic. Stayed with the beginner group, happy to see the waves didn't look that bad. We did the buoy swim in and out. Still challenging and nerve racking.... got through it. We did the run again, but way to tired to do the whole course... we have race day for that.

So race day..I'll write about that next. hee hee....