"At the end of July a
large group of New Zealand ocean swimmers headed to Samoa to compete in the 3rd
Samoa Swim Series (3 races in 3 days) organised by Seti Afoa. I, along with 4
other South City Masters swimmers (Giles Walker, Dan Feist, Deryn McGregor, Nicole
Youman) were part of that group. This competition has now become International
and is growing in popularity every year. 2014 saw over 150 competitors coming
from NZ, Australia and the USA. Local Samoan swimmers also participated for the
first time.
We arrived 2 days
prior to the 1st race and within 24 hours I had developed a chesty cough and
headache. Not thinking too much of it (I am not one to get sick, pull muscles
yes, but not sick!) I eagerly looked forward to race 1 (Sails Restaurant Apia),
a 4km race as a contingency course in stormy conditions. I put the vomiting and
headache during the race down to the choppy conditions but struggled to
scramble out of the water at the finish and was advised to see a doctor.
Diagnosed with bronchitis and sent away with some antibiotics I was convinced I
was going to get better
Race 2, was further a
field at Falefa and conditions were perfect. My health was slowly deteriorating
and the coughing was more intensive but I was determined to make all 3 races as
ultimately that was why I was there. I managed to draft off 2 swimmers most of
the way and was satisfied with another 4km finish.
That evening's prize giving and dinner saw a
great show put on by Seti and his team, with local dancers and performers and
Miss Samoa to present prizes. A swimmer's final placing is worked out as
cumulative times over the 3 races. Remarkably, saved I believe by the first 2
swims, I was awarded 2nd female overall, with Sarah Mortimer coming first.
The 2nd part of the trip saw many of us
heading over to Savaii, Samoa's largest island for some relaxation. A beautiful
island that I barely got to appreciate as I continued to struggle with nose
bleeds, coughing to the point of chest pain, headaches and fatigue. Samoa has
so much to offer that I feel I missed out on but good company meant that I kept
good spirits in that 2nd week.
After 10 days in Samoa we returned to NZ and within hours I had developed a chronic middle ear infection on top of the still very present respiratory infection. Within hours I was at my GPs and sent to Middlemore immediately. Over the course of 3 days I saw many doctors who were baffled by my apparent fitness but unresponsiveness to antibiotics, until a routine test for H1 N1 Swine Flu proved positive. This resulted in me being swiftly removed from the ward and placed in isolation!
After 10 days in Samoa we returned to NZ and within hours I had developed a chronic middle ear infection on top of the still very present respiratory infection. Within hours I was at my GPs and sent to Middlemore immediately. Over the course of 3 days I saw many doctors who were baffled by my apparent fitness but unresponsiveness to antibiotics, until a routine test for H1 N1 Swine Flu proved positive. This resulted in me being swiftly removed from the ward and placed in isolation!
It is now 7 weeks since I contracted Influenza, and it is only just in
the last day that I feel like I am becoming my old self. I was off work for
over 2 weeks, out of the pool for 5 weeks and have just started to get back in
and get my toes wet. Prior to Samoa my training and fitness was at the best it
has been in 5 years. It's amazing when you are sick and get can barely get out
of bed what you miss....early morning training sessions, squad training, gym
workouts, running with the dog. At the moment they are still on the wish list
but there is light at the end of the tunnel and it's getting brighter.
I could have contracted this illness anywhere, I was just unfortunate or
unwise not to have had the vaccination this year.
I thoroughly recommend any open water swimmers to consider Seti's race
series. The water temperature and lack of need for a wetsuit is a big draw.
It's well organised and supported and will continue to grow. Give it a go." Dawn Walker, South City Masters
Dawn, we wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back in the water soon!
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