Swim 33:00 [2] 1.0 km (33:00 / km)
(injured)
A swim in the Benalla pool - with one other person in the pool for company (plus some children in the hydro pool, with watchful parents in attendance). Barring mis-timings or mis-countings, I seem to have become faster! Foot swelling went down over night and seems unaffected by swimming - but bruising is still evident. During the week it became quite sore by the end of each day - primarily from sitting at a desk all day.
I woke to a brilliant blue sky (typical north-east type of day) - but it has gradually become overcast. Today is Hoppet day and there are about 200 of my friends and acquaintances (accumulated over many years and changes in interests) up at Falls Creek - skiing either 42, 21 or 7 k. Even our local polly goes (no, not THAT one who was recently re-elected - but rather the state one). I have found it too hard to get to the snow this year or last - what with work in Melbourne, the Royal Commission and looking after Mum (not to mention trying to go orienteering occasionally).
The Hoppet has been the scene of some of my best sports performances over time - 10th and 12th (and nearly always in the top 20) overall in the womens 21 k (against nearly 200 competitors in that category). Much of this has to do with technique, tactics (knowing where to relax and where to put the effort in), a really good wax job (on the skis, that is), a good start position (2nd front row, after the elites - which they always generously give me - ready to be mown down by the 2000 people behind) and a fabulous pair of skis brought out especially for me by an American ski instructor. These placings have given me good start positions in long-distance races in Europe, which was nice (though misguided as my performances there did not quite live up to expectations)!