Thank you, all, for your messages of support. You really helped me get it together and "Gitter dun".
It was set up as a lap swim with each out and back equaling 200 meters. The first 200, I couldn't get my breath and had to keep turning over and floating on my back. I did the breast stroke for awhile a few times too, but even that seemed to wear me out. At that point, I told myself it was totally fine to cut it short at 400 meters. It was, after all, my first open water swim. And it was kind of freaky. The water was very dirty, there were other swimming, thrashing bodies around - though much fewer than will be there at the race - there was no wall to push off of, you know, it was a little freaky and I was a little panicked. So, I promised myself I could come in after 400. So I did the 400 and decided to go for 600. With 600 down, I thought I could do 800. By that point, I had calmed down, was feeling pretty confident in my sighting and knew I could finish the whole thing.
I was still pretty convinced that I would be last out of the water but at least I would know that I hadn't DNFd. As I finished my last lap, I was amazed to see there were still a small group of people right in front of me. So, I could be last, but I wouldn't be out there swimming for 20 minutes with no one else in the water. When I emerged (the only one to get out of the water to applause - thanks, Hubby!), I was amazed to discover there were still a couple of people out there. I wasn't last!!
My time kind of, well, it was kind of weak - 47 minutes and change. That panic cost me a few minutes, for sure. But I did it.
And I saw SBR guy. And Hubby came out to watch and he got to meet SBR guy. And the folks running the event were very supportive and upbeat. And, the park was just beautiful, the water was warm, the trail was smooth for my very short bike ride after. There was even a trail/lakeside restaurant with live music where Hubby and I had dinner. Very cool.
So it was a very positive experience - and I'm glad to have my first open water behind me. Phew.
I'll do it again in a couple of weeks!
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change has a way of burning through your life - just when you get comfortable. choose. hunker down and hope you don't get burned or stand up and let the fire make you better. stand up and affirm that change isn't the enemy. comfort is the enemy.
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About Me
- Larissa
- I'm a brand new pastor at St. Philip's UCC in South County St. Louis, a mom, a wife, a daughter, sister, friend. And, in my spare time, I like to swim, bike and run - with varying degrees of success. I love a challenge, I love new chapters, I love life in all its crazy turning.
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- Couch Potato to Ironman
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8 comments:
Good job! You've inspired me to finally go jump in a lake :-)
Yay!! Clap, clap, clap... (insert endless applause). You are now officially over the hump!
another right of passage...
COMPLETED!
i was at a cottage, back in my yute, and a bunch of the wimmins said 'let's swim across the lake and back!'...
not knowing how to swim, i just sat on the deck, and watched the adventure unfold...
IMAGINE.NOW.
you're getting there!
I found you off of CurlySu. I'm glad to have popped over as such an important time in your triathlon life.
Open water swimming is great and you will get better each time you are out there.
Keep up the great work.
Glad to see you got that panic out of the way before any race! Because it does happen and its just part of triathlon. The main thing to remember is to not panic (sometimes not easy). Go out at a pace where your heart isn't racing and you can still breathe and you will be okay. I found that just by slowing down in the beginning, it helps me go faster throughout the swim because then I don't get that adrenaline rush that takes my breath away. Consider it an obstacle course and move around each obstacle before you encounter it. That's the way to survive until you get more comfortable. And you will get better each time!
Great job. Every new thing we try is definitely a good, positive experience. Pretty soon you'll be open-water swimming with yourself and only a partner. Then you'll know you're geek!
good. You got the freak out over, and in a safe environment.
NEXT!
you're ok!
as if there were ever any doubt. pshaw.
:)
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