Only five days ago I was struggling and felt completely defeated by the open water. But today I realize what friends can do for you, and why I’m lucky to have some that will go swimming with me at 6 a.m. on a Friday morning.
Today, I swam with Simon, Jeff and Andy, all of whom knew about my fears and were nothing but supportive. Simon even offered to stay with me in the swim lanes and coach me through each lap with tips and tricks. With my mind focused on his sage advice instead of the negative thoughts that would normally be running through my mind, I was able to swim in the open water (largely) anxiety free! Let me repeat that for you: LARGELY ANXIETY FREE! WAHOO!!!
I focused on sighting, on drafting, on feet bubbles and anything else EXCEPT how deep and dark the water was, and my anxiety subsided. Lesson: focus on anything but your fears.
Well, there were still some moments, especially in the beginning, and I still stayed in the lane lines, but by the end I felt like a new person and I have Simon to thank for this. So here’s a shout out to you, Simon – THANK YOU!
And it all came right on time as Sunday is a big day. It will be my first triathlon.
Ok, ok, Chicken Face likes to remind me that I did a couple triathlons in college, but given that I can’t even remember any semblance of a training plan or the fact that it was over seven years ago, I’m calling this weekend’s race my “first” triathlon.
The Morgan Hill Sprint Triathlon is a 3/4 mile swim, 16 mile bike and a 5 mile run.
The Swim & Run:
The Bike:
This morning, I also met my coach for a "Triathlon 101” pow-wow. I literally asked the world’s most basic questions so I don’t make any rookie mistakes on Sunday. Did I sound like an idiot asking them? Probably. Am I glad I asked them? You better believe it. I’ll be sure to share them with you soon!
My race strategy for Sunday: think of it is a triple brick workout to get used to the sport, but leave everything out on the course. We’ll see what happens.
I have another open water swim tonight and some race prep tomorrow morning, so pending another confidence meltdown, I’m nervous, excited and anxious all at once. Here goes nothing.
Happy Running!
Good luck this weekend!!
Congrats on facing your fears again and tackling the open water. YOU DID IT! it will keep getting easier, especially now that you have some tips/coping mechanisms.
Have so much fun at the tri! You’ll love it. Can’t wait to hear all about it! TRI SEASON! Whoop!
Congrats on your first tri — you will have an amazing time! I get super nervous in open water too. Let me tell you: It is completely OK to backstroke!
I just recently came across your blog but I’m so glad I did! I’m excited to see your progress in this – Good luck this weekend!
Good luck – hope you have a great race.
Great to hear that you are conquering that fear and good luck this weekend
Congrats on a largely anxiety-free open swim, and good luck this weekend!!
way to go page! good luck on sunday, i know you’re gonna kill it!
Yay! So glad you’re finding some ease, if not serenity, in the open water swims. Small steps!
Best of luck in your tri this weekend. You’ll do great!
I know you’re getting all the best advice already, but one thing a coach told me that has made a real difference is to definitely get a nice 200 yard warmup in for the swim. I am comfortable in the water, but even I have had panic attacks in a race. The 200 yards is your chance to get your heart rate up, deal with any freakouts, and recover. You’ll have moved past the anxiety once the race starts.
Thanks for the tip – I think that’s a pretty wise one!
Yahoooooooooooooooo! I’m so excited for you. And that’s a beautiful picture. Good luck this weekend, I’m sure you’ll do awesome!!!!
Yay!!! So glad you had a good swim! I just realized that my first experiences with open water swimming were with my husband and he was right there with me the whole time giving me tips and pointers and just making me not feel alone! I bet that helped alot to have a friend with you! Now just think of all those other people who will be swimming with you on Sunday as your best friends, and you’ll do great! 🙂 Good luck!
Good luck this weekend – you’ll be great! Can’t wait to read about it! xo
I’m so, so, SO excited for your first race – CANNOT WAIT to read all about it! And absurdly happy that you had a good swim. I’ll be thinking about you this weekend!
Yay! Congratulations on the swim, I`m crossing my fingers for the Tri, hope it will be just as rewarding, same goes for the second swim!
You will do great and rock it!!! Good luck!!
That’s great you are doing better with the swim! I’ll be doing Morgan Hill too, maybe I’ll see ya there? 🙂
Yes! See you there and good luck!
Sooo excited for you! Been following your adventure and cannot wait to hear how great you do!!! Strong wishes to a huge success.
I can see into the future like Raven on “That’s So Raven” from Disney Channel glory days and I see that you are going to do very well and have a great time.
Good luck tomorrow you will kill it!!!
Ok I can’t wait to hear your dumb tri 101 questions, because I’m sure I’ve wondered all the same things too!!!
Best of luck, you’re going to KILL it!!!