18 weeks to go and training hard

Hope all you intending solos have gotten outta first gear by now!
I came back to training in March, had a false start, had another one again in April and finally got myself out of retirement about May. I'm called the comeback queen by a couple of people in our squad...but I can feel a really solid third solo on it's way.
I have dropped over 20kgs, thanks to a personal trainer in the Challenge gym named Dan who's kept me on the straight & narrow (read: off the SSB & telling me that a loaf of bread in the toaster after training is a bit much!). Well, he's actually done a whole lot more than just that, but he's also got an ego that needs to be managed.
Rotto's now only 18 weeks away and I've been training hard. The first couple of months were really difficult, both in the pool and getting my head around the 5am starts and that, yup, I really did want to swim solo again.
It's all good, better than I have expected. When I did 5hrs 36min in '07 I was doing ~ 5:40's for 400's, now am doing 5:15's, so I am quite excited hey. Just gotta find that elusive boat. And a couple of paddlers!
Swimming around 35k a week at the moment with two gym sessions with the PT chucked in. Chugged out 50km last week (the kids are swimming at Challenge in the arvo's now, so I have plenty of opportunity to sneak in a couple of secret training sessions - hehe) and was really happy that I didn't come out sore. Sundays are the rest day, and I'm mindful to watch my stroke count (and of course, the scenery). Gotta keep ones self amused you know.
Not sure I'm looking forward to the 10k at Champion Lakes. There's something about still cold water that doesn't enthuse me that much, but still, it will be a good hit out to see just how I am going. Maybe I'll get lucky n find myself enjoying the scenery out Armadale way! & if not, I will keep my eyes on the bottom of the Lake for stuff I can sell on Ebay!