Signed up for my first long swim and after hearing the reaction from family and friends (haven't told anyone at work yet), I'm wondering how other people respond when you tell them that you're going to do a swim.
Here's some of what I got:
"Why on earth would you want to do something like that?"
"You're nuts!"
"You could drown!"
"That's so dangerous!"
"You'd better get your will done first."
"What are you thinking? You have a family!"
"You could get eaten by a shark..."
"The jellyfish will get you..."
"People invented boats and bridges to get across rivers, we're not supposed to swim across them."
"Are you going to use a gas mask?"
"The water's so polluted, you are going to get sick."
"If you want to swim, can't you do it in the pool where it's safe?"
Only one person said "That's awesome, you must be in great shape."
Do you get similar responses? And how do you answer them? I'm beginning to wonder what the rest of the world thinks of us...
Parents
Former Member
Thanks to everyone for your responses! Sorry for taking so long to reply (been a really busy time what with family and work). I did finally tell someone at work, who said "it's not something I'd do, but it's great that you're doing it" - and she's contributing to the environmental fund the Potomac Swim works with as well.
Gary:
I love your responses! LOL
There *is* something absurd about someone whose main form of exercise is getting off the couch to go to the refrigerator lecturing us on the "dangers" of open water swimming.
Mary:
It's funny you got some of the same questions. You're right, life is too short to worry about sharks, etc.
Julie:
Yes, I'm entered in the Potomac River Swim. I was very happy that Cheryl let me in; I'd been afraid that you need more experience than I have to qualify. But as someone here (sorry, don't remember who) said, the race directors mainly want to make sure that Steve Martin doesn't show up with his arm floaties...
I like your response - one reason I'm doing this is because I can. (After all, it's not the English Channel or the Race Around Manhattan!)
I'm really looking forward to the swim. How did you train for it last year? And are you doing it this year? I need all the advice I can get. So far my longest pool swim is 5 miles, so I have a ways to go before June...
Swimmy:
I can imagine the comments you got when you did Alcatraz, especially if they know it's called the Sharkfest! I'm doing Lake Montclair again, and probably Reston - it's a week before the Potomac Swim, so maybe I could do the one and two mile swims as a warmup. What swims are you doing? It would be great to see you again at another race.
InnerFish:
Good luck at the Great South Bay Swim! Wish I could do that one, too.
I run too, though if anything I'm even slower as a runner than swimmer. Sso far only 5K's except for one 10 miler, and if anyone says I'll destroy my knees, I say that if eight years of classical ballet didn't wreck my knees, running won't. Plus I plan on taking a break at any sign of injury. Haven't heard the one about your lungs freezing (I'm a wimp in winter; won't run outside when it gets that cold - I'll run if it's 95 and humid, but not when it's freezing). Haven't heard about the uterus falling out - where do they get these weird ideas?
Poolrat:
LOL! Seems like to any reasonable person, it would be the opposite. 2.7 mile lake swim? Sure. 43 miles?! not. (I can see running a marathon, and hope to attempt it some day, but never an ultra).
Donna:
You're an inspiration. Maybe by the time I'm 59 I'll be in good enough shape to attempt a swim like that!
Thanks to everyone for your responses! Sorry for taking so long to reply (been a really busy time what with family and work). I did finally tell someone at work, who said "it's not something I'd do, but it's great that you're doing it" - and she's contributing to the environmental fund the Potomac Swim works with as well.
Gary:
I love your responses! LOL
There *is* something absurd about someone whose main form of exercise is getting off the couch to go to the refrigerator lecturing us on the "dangers" of open water swimming.
Mary:
It's funny you got some of the same questions. You're right, life is too short to worry about sharks, etc.
Julie:
Yes, I'm entered in the Potomac River Swim. I was very happy that Cheryl let me in; I'd been afraid that you need more experience than I have to qualify. But as someone here (sorry, don't remember who) said, the race directors mainly want to make sure that Steve Martin doesn't show up with his arm floaties...
I like your response - one reason I'm doing this is because I can. (After all, it's not the English Channel or the Race Around Manhattan!)
I'm really looking forward to the swim. How did you train for it last year? And are you doing it this year? I need all the advice I can get. So far my longest pool swim is 5 miles, so I have a ways to go before June...
Swimmy:
I can imagine the comments you got when you did Alcatraz, especially if they know it's called the Sharkfest! I'm doing Lake Montclair again, and probably Reston - it's a week before the Potomac Swim, so maybe I could do the one and two mile swims as a warmup. What swims are you doing? It would be great to see you again at another race.
InnerFish:
Good luck at the Great South Bay Swim! Wish I could do that one, too.
I run too, though if anything I'm even slower as a runner than swimmer. Sso far only 5K's except for one 10 miler, and if anyone says I'll destroy my knees, I say that if eight years of classical ballet didn't wreck my knees, running won't. Plus I plan on taking a break at any sign of injury. Haven't heard the one about your lungs freezing (I'm a wimp in winter; won't run outside when it gets that cold - I'll run if it's 95 and humid, but not when it's freezing). Haven't heard about the uterus falling out - where do they get these weird ideas?
Poolrat:
LOL! Seems like to any reasonable person, it would be the opposite. 2.7 mile lake swim? Sure. 43 miles?! not. (I can see running a marathon, and hope to attempt it some day, but never an ultra).
Donna:
You're an inspiration. Maybe by the time I'm 59 I'll be in good enough shape to attempt a swim like that!
