I came away from that first meeting slightly more worried than I thought I would be and certainly a lot more excited. Ironman Switzerland is my big focus for next year and I assumed that a couple of pit swims in my speedos once IM is out of the way and I would be fine.

Will get some sea swimming in in Western Oz over Xmas but maybe slightly different than the Channel.

No way am I enduring 11 months of cold showers. I'm hoping that swimming an hour at a time this won't be as necessary as for a solo attempt.

Already into winter base training and managing about 8hrs per week. Almost got "egged" on the way home from work on my bike on Halloween but other than that all going well and so far no injuries.