Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Midwest Mayhem Part 1 - The Swim
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 | Original Musings by
Jen
I'm not sure what to write here. When recapping this part of the Tri to a friend on Sunday, I ended up crying. It was not what I expected and while everyone keeps patting me on the back saying, "at least you finished", I'm not one to just finish, I want to excel at it.
But panic set in.
Then a cramp.
And unfortunately that set the tone for the rest of the day.
*thinks she should immediately register for another sprint to get this behind her*
First, everyone was talking that the swim was 600m, not 500m. Still not sure if this is true, but still freaks a person out.
Another surprise is that it was a treading water start, which actually was ok with me. The treading for 2-3 minutes was a little more of a warm up. At race time, they announced the water was 82, but outside temps at 75. Perfect day really, especially for Kansas in mid-summer.
*jump off the dock with 39 other people and wait the 5 minutes in between heats*
I did ok with the start, stayed towards the back and outside. Then it hit.
*white flash of lights in my head*
I realized the water was so dark I couldn't see my hand when pulling under me.
*crap! I've only gone 50 yards*
At this point, I'm swimming at the angle of a teeter totter with one person rather than flat. I am guessing this is what caused the best part of the swim.
The cramp. (insert doomsday music here)
About the 300m mark, I felt it. It was sudden. It was painful. As I wrote yesterday, my first reactions were: 1. yelling, "cramp" and 2. rolling on my back, float, with my knee pulled to my chest and try to keep my pain-induced obscenities to a indoor decibel level.
* Oh my &$*(&#$(* leg! OMG! (*$&#)(*&% NO! I can finish on my own! ($#*$&(#*$& I'm ok! No, don't help me! (*#&(FUOI#%&#*
At this point, I swim approximately 75-100 yards and stop to treat water and give my cramp a break. It hurts. I stop 4 more times before I reach the beach. To give the water rescue people credit, they stayed by me the whole time.
Another swimmer was also having trouble, and I told her after the race when we were the only 2 left in the water with 200 yards to go, that she was my inspiration to keep going.
*have to catch that other yellow cap*
Because if I had been alone out there, I would have quit I think. I hurt and the distance seem insurmountable to a beginner swimmer (I took lessons 5 months ago in Feb) who had never swam (swum? swimmed? stupid verb) more than 1000 yards in a session.
When I finally made it to the beach, there was a small run up the sandy hill and the cheer from the crowd was both awesome and embarrassing. I was happy for the support, but knew they were cheering because most probably thought I wouldn't finish.
I almost forgot to step on the mat for my chip timer. Thank you volunteers for yelling at me.
I almost forgot to put on my helmet before grabbing my bike I was so flustered. Thank you husband of woman near me who reminded me and also told me to slow down, take a Cliff shot, drink some water, and gather myself. You're awesome. I was flustered for being last out of the water and in pain. Can't believe I almost forgot to drink and get my helmet!
*facepalm*
I hopped on my bike and the swim and T1 were finished. Tri 1 Jen 0.
Next time? I won't let a defeated attitude get me so early in the race.
Yes, I said next time! I'm not done with Triathlons yet!
Triathlon Mistake #1 of the Day:
Underestimating the open water swim. Why can't the water in a lake be as still clear as the indoor pool? Life would be easier. I still can't figure out why the murkiness caused such a panic. Maybe because I couldn't see the bottom? Any ideas?
Funny Triathlon Moment #1 of the Day:
Women who wore makeup for the tri, and obviously were not wearing waterproof mascara as the infamous racoon look proves later in the day.
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Post-Tri Hug
You did it Mommy!
Me!
Hood To Coast Relay 2007
3 comments:
Nice. Great job. Really.
Thanks Dave.
I think once I feel secure in 1000m in a lake, I'll attempt this again!
Now, I just need to find a sitter for the open water swim times at Shawnee Mission Park!
The swim is my weakest event...by far! I have learned that each one gets better than the one before. After I did my first tri 14 months ago, I thought I would give up tris because of the swim, I thought I would stick to duathlons but that would have been quitting and quitting is not an option! Right? I was freaked as well by the darkness of the water, so I bought an extra pair of goggles and covered the lenses with dark electrical tape for practices in the pool. This was a tremendous help, really! I had a coach look at my stroke and give me two things to work on before my next event. After that event I went back and had him give me two more things to work on. Although the swim still scares me, I am battling through it... I have registered for the Ironman 70.3 Augusta... 1.2 miles in the water!!! After your next event you will look at this first one and smile, guaranteed! Good Luck
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