Oh, What a Day

Saturday: Saturday was supposed to be the Lake Berryessa 1 Mile and 2 Mile Open Water Swim.  If you live in the Bay Area, you will probably recall that Saturday was filled with rain and wind. 

Although it took me two hours the night before to pack (what are you supposed to bring to an open water swim?  A life jacket?), I still spent a good twenty minutes in the morning, checking and re-packing.  I carpooled with Marcia, her daughter who is a long-distance junior swimming champion (how could you not be when you have Marcia as your mom!), and another fellow swimmer.  The drive took about two hours, up through Vallejo and Napa and along tortuous twisty two lane roads. 

By the time we got to Lake Berryessa, the rain had lightened to a drizzle, but we had bigger problems than the rain.  Ever been to the ocean?

Looking out at Lake Berryessa; the island on the left marks
the turn around point in the 2 mile

Waves crashing to shore and two foot tall waves with white caps in the middle of the lake.  The MEMO: (apparently there is a colon at the end of the team name) team set up two tents and wrapped a tarp around half of the enclosure to keep the wind out.  One of the guys brought a gas heater and we huddled around the heater.

The amazing propane heater; photo courtesy of Sharon

Wind, rain, and cold temperatures are all nemeses of open water swimming.  Wind creates waves that make it difficult to see and breath—instead of inhaling air, you inhale water.  Rain creates poor visibility.  Cold temperatures make it difficult to stay warm, especially if you lack the “natural” body suit, i.e. body fat.  These factors can make open water a dangerous sport.

In these conditions, the race committee delayed and then, canceled the race all together after seeing no change in weather.  But the long drive and the misery in the rain were not totally in vain.  We still got to open water swim.  

Technically, I am not a newbie to open water swimming.  Of all the triathlons (a whooping total of four) that I have ever done, three had open water.  But in college and before Marcia, I was such a bad swimmer that I never really tried.  In fact, I cannot really remember any of my triathlon swims (probably selective memory loss).  The swim portion was just something I had to do before hitting the road with the bike and run.  Secretly, I was a little scared of Lake Berryessa.

Here we go!
photo courtesy of Sharon

The first ten minutes in the water were horrible.  Water and waves left and right.  Panic and disorientation setting in.  The feeling like your lungs are closing on you.  There is no wall to hold onto, and no black line below to look at.  For a moment, I had to stop, tread water, and simply wait for the panic to dissipate.  Afterward, I was able to find a rhythm and felt almost calm swimming in the water.  No clock to look at, no laps to count, only buoys and waves to watch for.  We swam almost one mile.

After the swim; do we look happy or what?
photo courtesy of Sharon

I learned a few things today about open water swimming:

1. When there are waves, do not breath to the side.  Breath almost behind you.
2. When you swallow water, do not panic.  Just pretend you were drinking water (and not breathing).
3. Did you know there are open water swims of 5k and 10k distances?  In fact, because swimmers are in the water for so long, they need to rehydrate and refuel.  There are actually feeding sticks, i.e. a long pole with a cup at the end, that coaches (or generous friends) can use to give their athlete gels or electrolyte drinks!!
4. Only go to sanctioned masters open water races.  These races will typically have better marked courses and medical personnel on site.  Accidents can happen to anyone in open water.  

Good to see the ambulance onsite