OWS. That’s open water swim in case you wondered. I finally did my first one yesterday. My tri coach took me to a sweet baby lake, but in my head might as well have been an angry surf off the coast of Kona. We squeezed into our wetsuits and went for it. The sandy bottom did not bother me in the least. The green murkiness of the water and fact that I couldn’t see the bottom didn’t bother me either. I loved and longed for those split seconds when I could lift my face to the air and see the bright sunshine. Sun I heart you. Truth be told this was the first time I’ve had my face in a lake. Ever. I’m the girl who goes in up to her knees. That’s it.
We swam out to a diving platform and immediately back a couple of times. Nerves took me out way too fast. As if fast would keep me afloat. I headed off course too. Picking my head up to sight throws me out of my swimming rhythm and it takes a fair degree of flailing…um, I mean energy…to regain it. Coach told me to calm down and go slow.
Then THEN she wanted me to swim out, around the platform and back. Um that’s kind of a long way. I’m used to having the edge of the pool to pause at and cling to whenever I wanted. There could be no clinging here. I did a dog crap job of sighting again and swam more than I had to. When I finally got behind the platform, coach had me flip on my back. It was heavenly to rest. And effortless. Score. By the time I made it back to the beach, I was seriously entertaining the thought of bagging the tri. I sucked that much. I more than half expected my coach to recommend bagging the tri. Instead she suggested we go out again. Ugh. This time was a little better. A little calmer. Although when I headed toward the shore my heart raced as though a shark was tailing me and I couldn’t get there fast enough for my taste.
Coach talked me out of my tree and we did it again. This time she swam just ahead so I used the turbulence from her kick as a guide instead of picking my head up. This was better. I stayed calmer. No back float. I made it around. And back. Mission accomplished.
Overall I thought it went poorly. I was ashamed to still be such a water weenie after all these months of training. I was this close to breaking down in tears right in front of my coach.
But then…
Track Night. I met the tri team later that evening for a pace ladder on the track which, despite the heat, I spanked. Partly to make up for the shitty open water swim and partly because, compared to the water, the track feels like home. It’s comfy, with plenty of air. It was a confidence booster or an ego booster, call it what you will.
That night, my coach said she was surprised to see me. That many don’t return after their first open water swim. She told me it was common for new swimmers to freak out into a full-blown panic in open water. COMMON. And impressed I did not. She said the swim I did today was LONGER than what was in the tri. Wait, what? I did not expect that.
This whole learning-to-swim process has been such a mental struggle. Such a roller coaster of emotions. Confident one minute, hopeless the next. Whatever Sunday brings, if…I mean WHEN…I emerge from that water and finally slay the swim dragon that lives in my head, that will be one of my biggest triumphs ever.
What have you struggled with and conquered? What scares you?
I’m thinking out loud today and linking up with the lovely Amanda.
I love your coach had you swimming longer than you will in your tri. And you didn’t know it. And you did it! Good luck this weekend. Go get that dragon!
I admire your courage and your tenacity so very much. Open-water! I live vicariously through YOU! I am afraid of open water and have only snorkelled a few times in the ocean… never swim in lakes or seas. I know you are gonna do very well on Sunday and I cannot wait to read about it and cheer for you!
Awesome job!! I would be so freaked out by the open water swim too. But you have worked so hard and you are definitely ready to be out there! I think after practicing a few times you will feel much more comfortable.
Well I just think that’s freaking epic! Honestly, swimming in open water sounds terrifying to me, so HUGE props for doing it! And not only doing it, but refusing to give up and stop there. Good luck on Sunday! And no matter what, you should definitely be proud of yourself!
Great job Marcia! I was a wreck my first practice OWS, too. One week before my tri and I was panicking and felt like I needed to unzip my wetsuit. Coach told me to relax and slow my stroke rate down and I eventually got into a rhythm. Sighting will come with practice. Drafting and following another swimmer’s bubble trail can help but only if they are sighting well!! At your tri, get in the water and swim a hundred yards or so before the race. That will warm you up and take the edge off the race start anxiety. Great work!!
Way to slay that dragon, now stay out of that tree come tri time! 🙂
great job! I live on a lake and I don’t like to be in it quite honestly! And stick my face in it? oh, hell no! My hat and flippers are off to you! You should be PROUD!!!!
And I”m over here scared to sign up for Twitter. Good for you! I know I couldn’t do it. You’re going to do awesome this weekend!
Marcia I think you are doing freaking awesome with this whole swimming thing! You’ve been pushing way outside your comfort zone and I applaud you for it. Wishing you all the best this weekend – cannot wait to hear all about it!
Marcia, that is great! Open water swimming is a BIG deal! Virtual high five to you, girl!
You are doing awesome! Lakes skeeve me out so I don’t know that I could have done what you did. You are going to kick this tri’s butt!
Way to conquer your fear! Open water swims intimidate, but kudos to you for taking on the challenge!
Awesome job getting that open water swim under your belt.
You are way better than you give yourself credit for. And way stronger physically and mentally. You’re one tough chick!
great work! I love that quote “I didn’t come this far to only come this far” will remember that one!
I’m not a strong swimmer and I prefer not to get my face wet, but I don’t think OWS would bother me. I’ve done a fair amount of swimming off of a boat in a lake or while we are white water rafting. Doesn’t mean I’ll ever do a tri though LOL.
Good for you for not freaking out!
I want to get that last quote tattooed where I can see it everyday! I’ve struggled with and have [almost] conquered not believing in myself.
You did it! And you will do it again. Remember my Phoenix Marathon quote “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford. You got this one! Have faith and trust the training. And if all else fails, think of Dory and “just keep swimming!”
Great job!!!! You are doing amazing!!! I’m scared to never have my dreams come true and being stuck working for the man the rest of my life.
Awesome job on your first open water swim! That’s a big deal! I would be scared to but you handled it very well! Love that the coach made you go further than the actual TRI! You are going to do great!!
Great job conquering your fear!! You are one amazing woman and athlete!
I admire your determination and effort. I would hesitate to have my face in a lake so I applaud your courage too.
You can do hard things!!! You are really inspirational to me because swimming is a fear of mine. You make me feel like I might be able to get the courage to take a lesson. You are doing a great job and so determined. I admire that!
You are a brave soul! I can’t swim in open waters. Where I live it’s known as the shark bite capital of the world so I stick to swimming in my pool LOL.