Overcoming Open Water Swimming

For a long time I have been very nervous about the open-water portion of the Ironman.  In Coeur d'Alene the water is just about the same temperature as they bay and from what I read it can be pretty choppy.  I decided a while ago that I did not want to have a repeat of IM 70.3 New Orleans where it took me well over half the 1.2 mile swim to calm down.  That in mind I have been planning for months to start open-water swimming.  Originally, I was going to have my friend follow me in a kayak but that never really worked out.  I did find a group in Berkeley, Odyssey Open Water Swimming which I have been swimming with on Tuesdays for the past couple of Tuesdays.  Initially, the first Tuesday it was just getting used to swimming in a wetsuit as well as getting used to the water.  That evening the water was fairly calm and it was a good vibe with just two other lady swimmers-- a ladies night of sorts.  I went back last Tuesday and the water was "choppy" I could see the water white-capping and was a bit nervous.  The triangle of buoys was set to be just about a mile but decided before the swim not to swim entirely to the second buoy as the water was a bit too wavy for me.  I would say I cut off the last 100 and made sure my Kayaker who watches over the swim knew I was heading to the second buoy.  At that point I felt as if I was not swimming at all just staying put as the current was pushing me in the right direction of the buoy but off to the left a bit.  I managed to get there and one of the better swimmers caught up to me. As she did, a wind-surfer got very close--too close for comfort.  The whole time I was swimming ten strokes then put my head above the water. Coming from pool swimming this is the best I could do to remain calm. I noticed that my new partner was having some trouble with the swim as well.  We both chatted a minute and both seemed a bit nervous but I know I appreciated the company.  Upon rounding the second buoy I got very panicky.  And all I have read about the IM open water swim is deep-breathe, float on your back if you need to--just stay calm.  BUT let me say when you are starting to panic that does not work.  It takes the rational part of your head to offer viable suggestions.  "calm down, float on your back" and of course "just stand up".  Lucky for me the tide was going out and it was just about to hit low tide and I could stand.  From that point I was fine, I took breaks and finished up.  At the doc the other swimmer was scrapping mud off her face as the bottom is pure slimy mud.  I came to find out that she was in panic mode as well.  As much as I hate that kind of water, doing the worst and most difficult of swims, hills, etc. etc., will only prepare me more for the IM course. All in all my solution is: in training to do the things that I dislike and do them often.  For me that is once a week open-water swim and biking and running hills.

Jeannine

Locking it Up

T-107 Days

In the past couple of weeks I have really been trying to lock it up.  I have been religiously following through with each work out that is on training peaks.  I may or may not have chipped five minutes off here and there before =)  I was not super pressed when I started ten months out.  Now, it IS time.  The first pic was with my Dre beats on after run intervals at the YMCA.  I stole the Wings shirt from Brooke and sweated it all up.  The second pic is from my new wetsuit.  I started Odyssey Open Water Swimming Tuesday.  I only swam half a mile so an 800 to get used to the water.  I was thrilled how much I floated.  I still find open water swimming tough as it is such a new concept to me.Tomorrow I will do a mile in the Bay.  I am sure it is really clean and bacteria free.  Other than that, I will start with Bulletproof coffee tomorrow which has been recommended by every Ironman or Ben Greenfield and Adam ;) I also started a herbal routine that Adam and Ben recommended TainChi

which so far with the combination of that and MCT oil have had a lot more energy.  Also, since I have been working out so much I have dropped a couple pounds…guess I'll have to amp up the cheeseburgers…kidding.  Actually I will also be trying DHA (fatty acids), flaxseed and chia seed for better brain functions and poops…

So as I train for this, I am a bit pressed for time with teaching and trying to write my thesis.  I am having to be very busy and watch my time and manage time.  Thus far I have been putting in 15-16 hour days during the week and weekend.  I have ridden on the trainer the past couple of weeks to catch up on seasons on Netflix.  Anyway, I write this today as I did a three hour bike ride this am, run the dogs at the dog beach, ran errands and cleaned rest of day.  I will then try to write a couple hours on Thesis.  Vive la vide hora,

Jean9