Wow, I had an experience several hours ago. Before I go any further, I will say this: "You can't judge a book by its cover."
As I am doing intense research for my possible upcoming 18 mile swim from my island (Roatan) to Utila, I am starting to talk to people here about the tides, currents, time of year, time of day to attempt such a feat in my "elderly" state. I am considered very old here for someone who swims and exercises a lot (58). The swim will happen right after I turn 60.
And I thought I left all this behind when I left the States. HA!!
I am also a scuba diver (of course) and a snorkeler (absolutely). I stopped in a dive shop but my friend was in Germany. One of his divemasters, Jenny from England, wanted to know why I was asking so many questions. I mentioned I was entertaining the idea of an 18 mile swim to Utila. Her first repsonse was: you can't do that, you're not in shape at all and you are too fat. Granted, I am not an athlete, I am a swimmer, and I don't equate the two anymore because of lots of other factors.
She began to tell me a story of a young 30-ish woman who is a triathlete who jumped in the ocean yesterday and began swimming west. Well, at Lighthouse Point, she was overcome by current and swept out. She tried to get back but failed (going againt current). A boat had to get her. Jenny's point was that she was half my age, half my size, and if she couldn't swim against current, I stood no chance whatsoever in the swim to Utila. I should know better than to try something this huge because I am large, and this triathlete was thin with lots of muscles and huge legs. That I could not possibly compare the two of us. She was right about that. I am probably the better, most experienced swimmer in open ocean even if I don't look the part.
Of course I tried to explain to her that not all triathletes are good swimmers. I have swum in enough triathalons to find this out. There are a handful who are or were elite swimmers, but the majority are not. After all, I always place 2nd or 3rd overall in these types of swims and I "don't look the part." People make fun of me every year until the swim is over.
I have great admiration for triathletes; I cannot fathom the degree of training they must put themselves through. But the average layperson hasn't a clue.
So for anyone out here trying to do their best, don't let words from a person who may not know enough about what they are talking about to get to you. Especially for any newcomers faced with an uphill battle to better yourselves in the water. Sticks and stones may hurt my bones but words will never hurt me.
Even at my experience of swimming, people who know very little about swimming continue to make negative comments. So be it. So when I do attempt the 18 miler, I will definitely look Jenny up.
Swim for health, swim for fun, swim for confidence, and most importantly, swim for yourself!!!:groovy:
Donna
Former Member
Donna:
People are just flat out prejudiced against people who they decide are "fat" no matter how much underlying muscle, "mental grit" or fitness the person has. I find this comment made about swimmers a lot. Non-athletes think masters swimmers are "flabby" or "fat" or "overweight" or "not very toned." (They wonder why we don't do triathlons or running to "tone up a bit more.") I've heard people say it about age groupers too. You must, as you clearly have already done, ignore these baboons. These people can't look beyond the stomach and they have no idea what we can do! I know you will kick that swim's ass. :groovy:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Fortunately, there are also LOTS of people who think swimmers have the BEST BODIES EVER!!!
Donna,
It is clear that you are focused, experienced and knowledgable - and you've got your eye on the prize. I feel you have a great shot at completing this swim. This person has no clue based on the "too fat" comment and the triathlete comment. I've done some tris too and they are not the strongest (in general - there are exceptions) swimmers in the world. I loved Lynne Cox's book, "Swimming to Antarctica" and you remind me of Lynne. I too will be attempting a long swim (not as long as yours!) of 12.5 miles swim around key west in June.
If I had a dollar for every person who said a negative statement to me. . .
:D
Best of luck to you!! I wish you well on your most exciting adventure!!
Donna:
When you write your book or article for USMS on your swim, those people who "judged a book by its cover" will have to buy yours. Revenge is sweet.
Kristina,
You're going to do a 12 miler? Hey, we all know that is a very LONG way, so you have all of my respect and admiration for the training involved, too. The training, many times, is so much harder than the actual swim.
Yes, I look similar to Lynne Cox except I am 2 inches taller, and look what she has done!!!
Good luck on your swim, too, and let us know how your training is going along the way. When and if I do write a swimming fitness book for people over 50, the training will also appear doable if a person allows more than enough time for it. After all, us retirees do have another life: drinking Monkey LaLas and laying in the hammock reading in the afternoon!!!
Donna
Allen,
Your encouraging words mean a lot to me. My husband thinks I can and I have about 6 friends here who think I can, so along with them, and you and all the people on this forum who are giving me supportive words, I KNOW I can because I will have trained for it. When the going gets rough out there and it will, I will swim from my heart. This is a heavily currented-area.
And when I can see the beach below my Mount Everest, I'll probably even find another swimming gear, the swimming gear I call glee.
Donna
Donna, it just shows this persons ignorance, and take it as such. I know a lot of people who are big who move through the water with grace and speed. I am not little and am faster than a lot of tiny little people. For years people made the assumption that my thin husband was in shape, and I was not, when it was completely the opposite, so too bad for people who judge a book by its cover, we all know better.
We are all pulling for you on this swim, I am in total awe over something like this.
Gosh, thank you all so much for the encouragement. I am one of those people who, after making a decision, follow-through no matter what. I have now completed documenting the training plan; I spent about a month on it to allow for having had so many prior injuries, not just my swimmer's shoulder, but many other previously broken bones and cancer survivor.
With proper mileage, extreme work on technique, plenty of rest (I may use periodization), I will be ready when the day arrives. Training will be very lonely, it usually is when a person swims by themselves, but in my mind is one goal only: to cross this stretch of water. It is doable and I figure I may as well be the person to do it. And I will add that being heavier does seem to be a plus for me swimming distance. Since I'll be training for distance, my one-mile triathlon swim may suffer a bit this year.
:rofl:Some people still do laugh when they find out I am the one doing this swim; like it is impossible because of age and appearance.
Serious training starts in February and I look at this long swim this way: it is only 9 hours out of my entire life when it starts. Pretty insignificant.
Cheers to all,
Donna
Gosh, thank you all so much for the encouragement. I am one of those people who, after making a decision, follow-through no matter what. I have now completed documenting the training plan; I spent about a month on it to allow for having had so many prior injuries, not just my swimmer's shoulder, but many other previously broken bones and cancer survivor.
With proper mileage, extreme work on technique, plenty of rest (I may use periodization), I will be ready when the day arrives. Training will be very lonely, it usually is when a person swims by themselves, but in my mind is one goal only: to cross this stretch of water. It is doable and I figure I may as well be the person to do it. And I will add that being heavier does seem to be a plus for me swimming distance. Since I'll be training for distance, my one-mile triathlon swim may suffer a bit this year.
:rofl:Some people still do laugh when they find out I am the one doing this swim; like it is impossible because of age and appearance.
Serious training starts in February and I look at this long swim this way: it is only 9 hours out of my entire life when it starts. Pretty insignificant.
Cheers to all,
Donna
Donna if you've been through so much already, this swim will be undoubtedly tough but pretty straightforward for you. I am looking forward the photo of you, draped with seaweed with several starfish stuck on your suit emerging on to the destination beach victorious over the sea.
:woot:
