Welcome back, I have just left Malaysia after the swim team’s staging camp. This will be the last time I write, since my busy race schedule will not permit me too much time for writing when I get into Beijing.

Everything in Malaysia went nicely, we are staying in lovely hotel, and the warm weather is a nice change from Canberra at this time of year. It has taking a couple of days to acclimatise to the warmth and the humidity, but it is much better to do that now than in Beijing.

The training has been going very well, especially since I haven’t really starting feel very good yet. I have been swimming consistently faster than before trials or any other meet. That being the case, my focus must now turn from training to preparing for racing. There is a rather large difference between the two, for training I need to focus on consistency and prolonged concentration and motivation. I am only swimming about 25 kilometers this week and probably 10 next week, compared to 50-60 in a normal week, so the time and effort spent at the pool are much smaller. I now spend my energy focusing on swimming and training as close to perfection as possible, even if it is only for short periods. This change in thinking and physical output is one of the most important factors in getting the most out of a taper. On a training day, what is important is dragging yourself out of bed when you are tired and sore and putting your body through a tough workout for a couple of hours. On race day, all that matters is getting how good you can be for the minute or two of a race.

In Kuala Lumpur, we enjoyed a leisurely time mainly relaxing and watching movies. The team left Malaysia on Sunday for a busy day getting into Beijing.

Well that about wraps it up for me, I hope my writings over the past months, have been enjoyable and insightful.

Wish me luck (although I don’t feel I need it because I am prepared enough that it shouldn’t have anything to do with it).

I will be racing the heat sessions on 9^th (100m) and 12^th (200m) and with all going to plan the finals sessions on the 10^th, 11^th, 13^th and 14^th.Finally the final of the medley relay will be on the 16^th.

So sit back and enjoy the show which is the Olympic Games.

Brenton.