Webster Triathlon Sprint 2009
1/2 mile swim in a lake ChaggoggagoggMunchoggaggoggChabunnagunnagugamogg
(or something like that) — Means “You fish on your side, I
‘ll fish on my side, and Nobody fish in the middle.”
I wasn’t nervous for the swim physically, but mentally I had this issue with swimming with 100 other competitors. The water temperature wasn’t going to bother me as I had on a wetsuit, but how I performed in the water with the wetsuit was an unknown.
The atmosphere in the beginning was totally unknown to me. I’m a veteran of many of road races. I love being at races (even ones I don’t run in), but this was totally exciting and different. My family and I soaked in the atmosphere and setting up my transition brought about some really nice feelings. This was cool.
Putting on the suit, walking to the beach and standing while awaiting the start. People were in the water, people were standing. Folks around me were mapping their strategy. I had one, get into the water, swim like crazy, get out of the water as fast as I could.
The race announcer began to describe the course with all the different buoys but noone could understand him as the mic was too close t
o his mouth and he really did sound like Charlie Browns teacher.
After about 5 minutes of waiting, the first wave (yep, me) were lead into the water and the sound of the horn went off.
I walked a bit and then dove in , ready to rock and roll. 2 minutes in and water began seeping into my googles. Darn, so I saw I could still stand so I did and tightened the eyes. Then I swam. Tried to get my rythm and really could not figure out why I was swimming, yet not getting anywhere. After about 3 minutes I was exhausted and didn’t understand why. It was a strange feeling, but people around me noticed and began to ask me “You ok?”. I replied “Yep, just really tired”.
After about 6 minutes I ended up floating, back stroking, resting, breast stroking and repeat. I finally caught my breath. Of course the second wave was quickly catching up and this sort of freaked me out. I did begin to panic a bit.
