Can I be honest and tell you that I was a little disappointed I didn’t leave the 2-mile Chris Greene Lake Cable Swim in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday with a medal?
I’m still scolding myself for being such a baby about this even as I type it, but this blog is supposed to provide an honest perspective on training. So. I’m being honest, and telling you I was initially a little disappointed. And, as you’re about to read, a little pathetic.
I was so confused and troubled by my poor age-group finish (six out of seven among 25-29-year-old women), I decided to result-stalk the women ahead of me. Yes, that’s right — I Googled ’em.The sense of entitlement was based on age-group finishes at the only other open-water swims I’ve done, the 1-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Swim and the 2.5-mile Swim Marathon in Jacksonville, Fla.
I learned: That the women who beat me are all former college swimmers. That one, a 28-year-old woman, won the swim around Key West a few years ago, completing the 12-mile distance in a little more than five hours. That another, a 26-year-old, still holds a Virginia swimming record for the 100 free (56.03).
I also learned that I should never do that again. First, I didn’t feel much better (although I did realize my disappointment is kind of like being upset about not placing in the Boston Marathon based on getting a medal at a local 5K). I only felt silly about wasting so much time.
Plus, getting uber-competitive about other swimmers flies in the face of the reason I swim now: For a sense of personal achievement, for an endorphin rush that I believe combats all ills, to physically exorcise life’s heartaches and stresses. And to see what kind of person I am: One who can dig deeper than she ever imagined when she needs to most, one who’s scrappy and tough. One who signs up for races that scare her a little to motivate her to train. Not one who spends an hour Googling random swimmers.
Now that I’ve confessed that sin, let me tell you about my beautiful dip in the lake yesterday morning. I couldn’t have asked for better weather or water conditions, with bright blue skies and the lake temperature just chilly enough to feel good once you’re swimming.This was my first time at a lake swim, with my previous open-water experience — plus a few disasters forced on me by a high-school swim coach — and the lack of current and waves almost made it feel like swimming in a pool.
Organizers started swimmers in waves of ten, based on seed times. I didn’t put in a seed time (the last time I swam a 1,650 in a meet was, um, 1997), so I was seeded third-to-last, the 97th swimmer to start. It was nerve-wracking watching dozens of other swimmers start while I hung out in the background, but it was nice not having to scratch, claw, kick and grasp for position, like one does in the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Swim.
The swim consisted of four laps around a course marked by a cable stretched tautly between two wooden pylons. I wasn’t exactly sure how to pace the 2-mile swim, so I treated it as I would a timed 1,650 in the pool: I like to start at a moderate, steady pace, and step it up as the swim goes on. In retrospect, I could have maybe pushed harder on the second and third laps. But then again, I swam my heart out on the fourth one (I may or may not have grunted in the water), and finished feeling like I’d just done 900 tricep dips at the gym.
My time: 56:15. And though my age-group finish was a little disappointing, I was thrilled that I came in 29th overall out of the roughly 100 swimmers.
Even better: Charlottesville is close to Shenandoah National Park, so Steve and I made a quick side-trip to try out my beautiful, new suspension-frame backpack! The trip included about 9 miles of hiking (split up over two days) through a cool, green river valley next to the most scenic waterfalls you’ve ever seen, plus TWO black-bear sightings! In the second instance, we saw two cubs scamper up a tree with a speed that left our jaws hanging. When we saw a giant, black blob in the distance, we picked up our jaws and booked it out of the park — if the babies were that fast, we didn’t want to find out how quick mama was.
Next up, swimming wise: The possibility of the 5K Smith Mountain Open-Water Lake Swim Sept. 26. It’s another US Masters Swimming event, which means it would be the same uber-competitive field. Still, with the right attitude, I think it could be a lot of fun. I’ll think about this one, along with another in Wilmington, N.C. I’ll keep you posted.
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- My beautiful new backpack, which I got to try out in Shenandoah National Park post-swim!
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- Passing a sister mid-swim. This ego-booster happens a lot when you’re seeded almost last.
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Amy Reinink 
You rock for being so honest in your blog 🙂 I admire you for going out there and giving it your all! And GREAT PERFORMANCE!!! Jason and I used to hike Shenandoah several times a year when we lived up in VA. I so miss it 🙂
Thanks for the kind words … I’ll soak up some Shenandoah for you next time I’m there!
I love this post!
You’re an athlete and you want to win. Nothing wrong with that but no need to dwell on it. I’ve got news for you, YOUR SWIM WAS AMAZING!!! From what I can gather, you like swimming and you’re very good at it. You don’t swim with the sole intent of winning, right? You swim for the right reasons and should be proud.
I finished in the top ten of my age group once (I was 8th out of 9 runners). Being realistic, I will never see the podium and will never win an event. My ego and I have discussed this “disappointing” realization by asking one question – What is the alternative? Sit at home on the couch? Watch from the sidelines? Nope!
So I’ll make you a deal, I’ll keep entering all kinds of events I will never win and you keep entering stuff you can win and we can both enjoy knowing that we’re not spectators.
All the best!
Ron
What a lovely and thoughtful pep talk. Thanks for that. Though I dwelled on my disappointment a little longer than I would have liked, you’re right — the experience made me stop and think about why I swim to begin with. There are lots of reasons, and none of them have anything to do with medals.
In other words: You’ve got yourself a deal!
Regardless of your placing, it seems like you had a great swim this weekend! Be proud of what you accomplished… I mean how many people go out and do a 2 mile open water swim? Congrats 🙂
what five k open water swim at smith mountain lake? any more info on that?
Oops! Try that link again, or just go to lakeswim.net for more info.
nothing wrong w/googling the competition. Way to go on the swim! You’re a rockstar!
way to be honest and Hey! You’re competitive, so what?! we all are. and google puts too much at our fingertips. 😉
29th out of 100 is still a GREAT finish! the pics of the hike are gorgeous.
Maybe you should try “binging” your competitors next time. It’s a decision engine and may have decided that you really didn’t want that information. I’m just saying. : )
it is tough to get caught up in the competition (with others). i have ‘stalked’ a few race results myself in the past, usually before a race though to see what kind of chances i have! (of course the previous year’s results aren’t always a good indication of the current year’s talent level).
anyway i’m glad you got it out of your system, learned your lessons, and are refocusing on the competition within. we all know that is the only one that matters! i wouldn’t feel too bad about the stalking – you also learned that you can hang pretty tough with those other talented women! 🙂
oh I get it now-you are one of those long time swimmers!! Hmmmm…..now I understand why you were disappointed! I, on the other hand, would be elated just to jump in the water with you!!!
You ROCK!!! Woman-you came in 29th out of 100! You ROCK!!! And you started almost last???? What part of “you practically won” do you not understand!
What a great race you swam! GREAT!!!
and then you got ot go camping! I am very jealous!
Tonight, I swam-I sure didn’t swim as fast, as far or a stroke that you probably swim! I am the lonely breaststroker….but I had a great time and I’m actually beginning o enjoy swimming!
You ROCK!
I think it is just awesome that you did a 2-mile swim, period. That it was a race is even cooler. It doesn’t matter what your place was, but obviously you had an ueber-competitive field. Your time was astounding.
I hope that some day I can do a 2-mile open water swim in anything CLOSE to 1 hour, let alone under. Amazing. Way to go! Have fun and don’t compare yourself to others.
Thanks for all the thoughtful, supportive comments! If I wasn’t already feeling good about the race, I certainly would be after reading these!