Open water epiphany!

[KnottedYet]

Went for a lake swim earlier this morning. Swimming is my weakest part of the tri. I worry about it. Heck, I worry about the whole tri. Newbie...

I was in a BAD MOOD. I was sure that I'm gonna suck at the whole thing next week, get a DNF, embarrass myself, etc. Despair and dread. "Sturm und drang."

So, I said to heck with it. Gave up on trying to switch left/right sidestroke. Decided I'd just swim my lopsided lefty stroke, go nice and slow and conserve my energy, just get through my 1/2 mile this morning and WHO CARES.

Well, whaddaya know?

I never had to stop and rest the whole time, and I cut 5 minutes off! I had MORE energy after today's swim than I've had yet!

coooooooool......

[KnottedYet]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention there were 6 or 7 other women swimming getting ready for the Danskin. Everyone we talked to was a newbie. We kinda bonded a little over our fears. I was able to keep pace with one of them with my squidy side stroke, which made me feel better.

Can someone tell me WHERE you put the timing chip in a tri? You can't put it on your shoe, right? cuz you're not wearing your same shoes the whole time. Do you put it on your ankle? Wrist? Where does it go? (and will it coordinate with my blue hawaiian print biking skort and red RoadID?)

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats on a GREAT open water swim! I know you're worried about that part, but see- you're gonna do just fine!!!! I'm so glad you felt success today- I think you needed it!!! When is the race? Is it next weekend?

They'll probably have those plastic ankle things to put the chip on and secure around your ankle. I always thread mine through the velcro strap on my RoadID ankle strap (make sense?). It's just easier than having yet another thing on my ankle (and the plastic ankle straps tend to rub me raw).

Again- glad to hear you had such a successful swim today!!!

[Nanci]

Knotted- so it's ok to do a side stroke??? I know it is, I juswt feel like the only one. But it's so easy!

The chip will (probably) be black. So it should coordinate with everything. Sometimes they have a nice neoprene band with it, sometimes somthing less comfortable. So you put it, by whatever method, on your anke and it stays there the whole time.

[colby]

Amazing what the difference is when you relax and do what works rather than some concept of what's "right" 5 minutes! That's huge!

Yesterday was my first open water swim after messing up my shoulder this winter... yes, I know, first OWS one week before the only tri I have been able to do this season?? What was I thinking? Well, because of the injury, I have basically been biking and running, with only a little swimming just recently since my acupuncture treatments have made such a huge difference (she's my hero). I still have range of motion issues, I still get tingly muscles, and I still have plenty of problems, but I am determined (or stubborn).

I have swimming technique fine (was a competitive swimmer when I was younger) so I wasn't concerned about "how" to swim, but whether I actually could overcome the water on my right side, since the stroke has to be more bold with everything you have to compete with in open water. So, I start out doing some breaststroke to adjust to the water, then break into freestyle/crawl... wow. I sucked! My right shoulder resists the "over the top" motion to the point that it makes my stroke lopsided enough to really mess up any rhythm I might have any chance of getting (it's more of an "over the side" thing).

The distance? Not really a problem. We did two out and back laps of the "safe" lake area from a public beach, which was at least a mile total, with a couple of breaks inbetween since it was the first time we'd been out. My husband and brother were on kayaks next to, in front of, and/or circling me (like sharks!). That was comforting, I was definitely concerned about open water distance.

The stroke? Disappointing, but somewhat expected. If I have to do a messed up breaststroke-freestyle combo deal, I know I can go the distance regardless of speed. I guess it gives me something to look forward to improving

As for the chips, http://www.danskin.com/faq.html#race.9 (Good FAQ in general, might answer other questions )

[KnottedYet]

Ah-ha, the ankle for the chip. Yeah, I think I'll hook mine onto my RoadID ankle bracelet. Plastic strap sounds icky.

I wear the RoadID all the time, and it doesn't interfere with swim, bike, or walk.

Oooh, I think this'll be fun after all.

Colby - it'd be very cool if we found each other next week. I'll be dressed in the skort like my avatar with a purple Team Survivor t-shirt. For the swim I'll be with the survivor wave, right after the elites, but everyone is gonna pass me. Holler "howdy" as you go by! (unless it's in the water. I'll be wearing a wetsuit in the water. Not a miniskirt...)

[Lise]

(unless it's in the water. I'll be wearing a wetsuit in the water. Not a miniskirt...)

I was wondering about that, but everyone needs her own strategy...

So glad you had a better time in the water! I keep reminding myself that all I have to do is get across the lake. If I keep going forward, eventually, I'll be out of the water. This is my mantra!

I have an irrational fear that the chip is going to fall off my ankle when I'm swimming. It never has, but I usually have to restrain myself from reaching down and touching it to make sure it's OK, about 3 or 4 times in the swim. It's hard to swim and touch your ankle at the same time. This year I will strive to resist the urge.

Sidestroke, breaststroke, I've used 'em all. I never have the guts to turn over on my back, because people really swim over me then. Other than that, just keep going, and you'll get through!

[colby]

Colby - it'd be very cool if we found each other next week. I'll be dressed in the skort like my avatar with a purple Team Survivor t-shirt. For the swim I'll be with the survivor wave, right after the elites, but everyone is gonna pass me. Holler "howdy" as you go by! (unless it's in the water. I'll be wearing a wetsuit in the water. Not a miniskirt...)

For sure - I am starting this time with my mother in law, so we'll be starting toward the middle-end anyway. You will beat us to the finish

I have an all-black trisuit, and may wear one of my REI tech tees over the top, blue or green. Unfortunately, that will probably make me blend in with everyone else! I do have super-long hair, but that might not help either.

Either way, I'll be cheering you on

[Eden]

Good Luck everyone who is doing the Seattle Danskin!

A team mate of my husband's will be working the as part of the bike support at the turn around - so if a curly red-head guy gives you a hard time say "hey Alex - cut out the smart mouth" and you'll get him good.

[KSH]

Happy to hear your lake swim was so successful. It's great that you found some buddies too.

You are going to do a great job!