New to OWS: Minimum speed to avoid embarrassement

Well, guys, I DID get the slowest swimmer award in a recent swim and an award for third--of three--in my age group... and guess what--I felt nothing but joy, relief, pride in the accomplishment, and all kinds of good stuff. Yes, I was way slower in this swim than when I did it three years ago, but I figured my training was not going to lead to a fast time, just wanted to finish before they scooped me out of the water. I did that, and that was all I needed! Embarrassment is something we don't have to choose. It's all in how we look at the picture. I tend to finish near the end of the pack in swims, and at 59, I have to decide whether I'm going to let that fact keep me from taking the plunge--and so missing out on a lot of great opportunities to connect with other swimmers--or go for it, have fun, and as a running coach friend says, "take what the day gives you." Life is too short to do otherwise! Here's a quote I like (despite the non-gender-inclusive language): "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

I think if you are a strong & fast 1500 swimmer doing well (not necessarily great) in your age group, you can easily do a 5K in a lake. An ocean may be a bit more difficult on a rough day but you'd still be ok. Frankly poor attempts at humor by volunteers are just that. Poor attempts. I'm a much tougher critic of my performances. Next time someone says something like that just look them right in the eye and tell them 2 weeks ago you were in the hospital with pneumonia and it is the first time in the water for 5 weeks. Finishing up with "My doctor would kill me if he knew I was doing this". Make sure you throw in a subdued laugh with it.

ocassionally frustrated by my swim times but not inclined to quit... I was once told by a race volunteer 'he could have completed the swim at my speed'... seen him every year for six years - always the volunteer and never the swimmer! LOL! Just ask him when he's planning to "complete the swim at speed"? I was fortunate in my last race, as the volunteers and race committee were WONDERFUL! They treated every finisher, first to last, like champions. But in a run I did some years back, a road mile, I had placed in my age group--and the volunteer at the table where I went to get my official time (7:30) and pick up the award sniffed, "well, it's not a four minute mile." I wanted to ask him if he could do a four minute mile... but I refrained. In most cases, I've had great experiences with volunteers in both runs and swims, so I can laugh off the few "dud" comments. We know better what it takes than they do! :)

FMIF, Your story is similar to mine. I read about the racing posts re the 10k ows in IN.They were so inspiring I tried a 10k in the pool. Finished it, barely, and then signed up for the Big Shoulder 5k in Chicago when I got home. Reality has set in( I'm totally screwed!!!!) but I will show up and enjoy the day for whatever is in store for me. Why are you worried about a 5K? You have already done a 10K, the 5K will be a piece of cake! Lake Michigan is very clear and the course is easy to follow; you will love it!

Why are you worried about a 5K? You have already done a 10K, the 5K will be a piece of cake! Lake Michigan is very clear and the course is easy to follow; you will love it! Right, that thought crossed my mind also. If you did 10k in training, you'll rock this swim! Wishing you success--and FUN!