Just keep swimming. But first I have to jump in.
Sunday is the triathlon. Now it’s just a sprint but for a busy gal like me — it’s been hard to put in the miles for proper training for my 50-year-old self.
One thing I wanted to do before Sunday was an open water swim. Swimming in a nice, pretty pool with a wide black stripe on the bottom is a lot different than a deep lake. The muddy Georgia lakes are akin to sticking your head under the bead — with goggles. And no air.
But I love it so.
Open mouth. Insert finger and jam in back of throat.
So with the days ticking down and the weather not cooperating in the least, I headed out to a friend’s dock mid-day.
Lovely weather.
A cold front decided to park itself over our heads for the next few days. It looks like I could be swimming in this weather for the race — so might as well swim in it now.
When I got to the dock, the rain had turned into a mist lightly kissing my face.
Pooh on mists that lightly brush my expanding thighs in my new black tri shorts.
The lake.
The lake up close and personal.
I guess I had to get in.
There’s a dock that’s about 200 yards out. I swim out to that and back and I have my 400 yards for the race.
So donned my cap and goggles. Held my breath and jumped in.
It was still warm. You don’t know how happy that made me. Of course by Sunday the water will be cooler after nothing but rain for three days but I’m not going to obsess about that now.
There’s plenty of time to obsess on the negatives tomorrow.
I started to swim and it felt great. Till the black water, gray sky and cloudy goggles started to close in on me. Very disorienting. This is when I always think . . .
Instrument rated.
To be an instrument rated pilot you have to fly blind — or with nothing but clouds in front of you — only looking at the information on the cockpit panel. When I can’t see clearly and imagine people splashing all around, I just bury my head in the black water and think stroke, stroke, stroke. All I have to do it keep breathing and stroking though I can’t really see a blasted thing.
Every now and then it’s important to stop, look up and sight the buoys — but remain calm and keep swimming.
The first 400 yards were okay. Only a few mild bursts of disorientation followed by slight panic. The second time out and back to the dock was better.
So I’m ready as I’ll ever be at this point.
Looking forward to it.
I really am.
Have you ever done a triathlon? Any open water swim stories to share?
Good luck and enjoy yourself!
I haven’t been swimming in so long. I’ve never swam anywhere other than a pool, though. Reading this makes me wish I was swimming now!
I really do love swimming. I love swimming in the ocean (when it’s calm.) It does feel different when you are in a race setting but that’s part of the challenge I guess. Hope you have a good indoor lap pool near you. Just commit to going once a week and before you know it — you’ll be hooked.
OMG you are so much cooler than I am. I love swimming but ugh. Um, I was never that great at anything but the breast stroke (which I got number 2 in…but I never ever ever mastered the crawl. I get weird and icky with the side thing). I am in awe and wish you the most amazing luck ever. You’ll be fantastic. And I can’t wait to hear about it!
If you are comfortable in the water you could do it Kristi. My husband was a top breaststroke swimmer and did it through a few triathlons. I definitely feel more comfortable doing the crawl — but if I need a breather, I flip on my back for a few strokes.
I am SOOOO envious and impressed. Not only have I not done a triathalon, but I’m pretty scared of murky water and not a strong swimmer. But I can really relate to the instrument flying (my husband is a private pilot so he talks about it) and how it can relate to just doing things. GO JAMIE!! I wish I could be there and wish I had just a little of your physical stamina! WOW!! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Fairly certain I lack the courage to participate in a triathlon since just the thought of that lake water touching me makes me turn to a quivering puddle of ….well, I guess brown lake water!
I will be thinking of you Sunday and cheering you on in my head! You are strong, inspiring and amazing!
I’ll need to inspire myself tomorrow May with this rain and unseasonably cool weather. 🙂
Your descriptions here were awesome!!! And good luck with your race!
It’s official, you are insane Jamie and I love you for it! That lake looks so gross and I can’t believe you enjoyed your swim, nor can I believe you enjoy triathlons.
Sunday you are doing your race and I will be hosting a picnic for over 100 people affected by Tuberous Sclerosis. Kinda excited for it to be a week from today! Good Luck Lady! xoxo
Tiffani — I did my race this past Sunday, the 18th. It was great. Been so busy I haven’t posted a race report. That is so exciting about your picnic. You can pull it off and bet it will be great. (And the comment about the water made me laugh. I better not comment further.)