No other words but CONFIDENCE BUILDER for this one. :>).
During all this training for my Ironman the one thing that's been in the back of my head has been this LONG swim. Swim is not my most comfortable event. So when I saw that the TRI Columbus, GA group was hosting this swim event, I knew I needed to go. It would be good practice since it's in a big river just like Chatty. I was going alone since none of my friends have any interest in swimming that distance, but I was mentally prepared and ready to do it. I just hoped and prayed it too would not be canceled since the swim portion of the TRI that was in the same spot a few weeks ago was canceled due to all the rain recently.
It rained off and on during my drive to GA on Friday and I begin to get worried about them canceling. However, when I arrived things were still on for the swim on Saturday morning. The swim was not starting till 9am so I had time to relax after my stressful drive in the rain the night before. I arrived at the park where the steps were that lead down to the river. Several people were arriving and all chatting about the swim. Most had done the swim several times so I begin listening to them. All said it was a good swim. We would have a nice current when we started but towards the last part there would be no current and we would turn around at the last buoy and swim back up stream for 50-100 yards to the boat dock to finish.
The closer to start time, my stomach begin to churn as it normally does before any race. The water was too hot for wetsuits. So I was going to have to do this long swim without my comfort blanket. I told myself to suck it up and just do it. She blew the whistle and we were off. Here is a nice picture of the start with two of the bridges we swam under.
 |
| I was on the steps walking down to the start. |
The water was very clean. No river grass! She had told us that if we needed a break to swim close to shore and the water would be 4-6 ft deep or to try to stay in the middle of the river for use of the current. I wanted the current. LOL. However, every time I lifted my head to spot where I was going, I was more in between the middle and the shore. The pack of swimmers really thinned out after the first 10-15 minutes. The fast swimmers were gone. I had 1 lady and 1 man that stayed fairly close to me the entire swim. I kept telling myself if they could do it, that I could. Even when it seemed life forever before we would be to the end, I just kept quoting bible verses, praying, and talking to that inner voice in my head telling her I was going to do this. I did not stop and rest at a single buoy.... which they only had 6!!! They were so far apart. LOL. They did have lots of people in small boats so I knew if I got in trouble, I had help close by. I think that made me feel safe and the fact that the water was so clean. No panic! YIPPIE. I was SO GLAD to see the last buoy! It sucked to have to pass it and turn around and swim back to the boat dock, but I made it and I wasn't even the last swimmer. :>). When I saw my time, I was so happy! It as well under the 2 hour 20 minute time limit for Chatty... however the distance was a tad short.. It should be 4224 total for the 2.4 miles. I still felt good about my time. I ain't stupid however, I know that every race is different with different challenges, but I needed this confidence boost.
They gave us our towels (that's what we got instead of a t-shirt) at the end. I wasn't expecting that. I had sent my running shoes in a small backpack to the end because I had an hour run after the swim on schedule. I had to roll that big towel and stuff it in my bag and let's just say my run was not fast. LOL. The strings on the bag started cutting into my shoulders as the towel bounced, but I had to get back to hotel by foot since I had left my car there. Here's the towel... I love it:
I took some pictures on my run back along the river walk. Columbus, GA really is a pretty little town. They had Float the Hooch that started at 9:30am after us so I saw several of them floating down the river on my way back too.
 |
| People were biking and running all along the riverwalk |
A guy was swimming and pulling one float with an ice chest in it. LOL.
I had such a high after completing the swim that I didn't mind the 5 hour drive home. LOL. I was ready to get home and relax before my next long day on Sunday... 100 mile bike plus run.
The Southern Magnolia practice ride on the coast was canceled due to rain so that left me doing my bike on the Trace in Hattiesburg. Not what I planned, but I needed to get it in. I love ridding the Trace, but not for 100 miles! It gets boring after about 50 and very lonely when biking 100 miles alone. I was over it by mile 70.. ha. I had to talk to that inner self again and tell her I was going to finish and not less than 100 miles. Can you tell I'm ready for Taper? LOL. Thankfully on my last 20 miles my neighbor-friend, Dennis, showed up to ride. We chatted a little bit and it gave me the extra umph to push through and finish. AND let me just say that run afterwards was not fun. Glad it was short. Now I know for sure that on race day, I'm going to have to talk to that inner self many times during that 26.2 miles after 116 miles on the bike!
So WHEW.... what a weekend! I accomplished two big things and again I say... confidence builder for me! :>). Sometimes you just need that confirmation.
Got a pretty busy week on tap this week and then it's TAPER time. Praise Jesus! Thankful today is rest day. I'm not really sore...just tired. :>).
Well, that's a wrap..... 4 weeks to Ironman Chattanooga! I can't believe it's here! Praying for my friend, Jason, who I've been training with some because he's going to Chatty also. He had a bike wreck and has a very bad sprain. Hasn't been able to do anything in 2 weeks. I hope by this weekend he'll be able to put weight his foot. He's very strong in swim and bike so I know he can still do this ironman. Ready to see him back out there tearing it up!
Happy Training,
D
No comments:
Post a Comment