:applaud:
Had a GREAT time on Saturday at the 5K Beaufort (SC) River Swim. Water was calm and 77, weather was sunny, and we swam with the tide. This was my very first open water competition and I finished 8th overall and 1st in my age group (30-39). My buddy, Carlton Bruner, a '96 Olympic Distance Swimmer got 1st overall and was about 3 minutes ahead of me. Carlton's wife, Heather, won her age group in the women and she didn't even train! I finished in 50:50 and felt good afterwards. About 10 minutes later my lats and shoulds started feeling like I just got out of the weight room.
What did I learn? LINES are REAL important! Be careful who you follow....I swam extra. Its ALOT different stroke than a pool stroke. You have to lift you head about every 10 strokes.....practice it, lots! Don't swallow sea water....ick!
Overall, I loved it! My next one is in two weeks in Chattanooga (4.5 mile River swim).:banana:
Nothing of interest in the water. I ran into a few pieces of reeds and thats about it. My buddy did spot a little shark chasing some bait fish under the bridge we walked across to get to the starting dock!
Scenery? Trying to find my next buoy and following the 3 guys in front of me!
What a blast! 50 minutes is faster than I with or without a tide. Looks like you're hooked. I'll be curious to know how the Chattanooga swim goes. I've had my eye on that for a year or two now. May do next year.
What a blast! 50 minutes is faster than I with or without a tide. Looks like you're hooked. I'll be curious to know how the Chattanooga swim goes. I've had my eye on that for a year or two now. May do next year.
Yeah, I think I may be hooked. I'll be mailing in my registration for Chattanooga tomorrow and I'll let you know how it is.
Here is a picture of us all with some of our kids (me and my son on left)
i247.photobucket.com/.../DSC02142.jpg
Well, it was with the tide too so keep that in mind. It probably took me 750 yards to calm down and get into a rhythm. We really didn't get any warmup cause once we jumped in the tide was moving the whole pack towards the start. My stomach was a little tight at the beginning (probably nerves more than anything) but settled down.
Thanks for all the kind words!
A 5K to START IS COOL!:applaud: What a great time to start the OW season.
:agree:
Agree completely--an awesome time and a very ambitious start to open water swimming! But sounds as if a one-mile race might have been too easy for you! :woot:
