Free Swim

Distance: 4 miles
Song of the Run: Katy Perry - Firework
Weather: Rain, Rain Rain

Muse of the Day:
I tried my first free swim yesterday.  It freaked me out.  I had a total panic attack out on the water.  Fortunately, my husband was with me in the kayak and I could hang onto it until I got it under control.  I was apprehensive about the swim to begin with but I did not think it was going to affect me that much.  My problems were - first, I started out too fast and couldn't get my stroke or breathing organized; second, it was pitch black underneath me and I didn't like the weird ghostly look of the dark water on my arms; third, I went too far to fast.  Then I thought I saw something under the water, that just put me over the edge.

After I caught my breath and got it under control I managed to alleviate my fears by shutting my eyes when  I put my head into the water.  It makes it hard for sighting so I have to keep looking up every 3-4 strokes. However, I have to do that even if I shut my eyes, now I must do it more often.  I also have to start out slow no matter how cold the water is.  When I am in the pool I tend to swim the first 2 laps very quickly to warm up and then take a pause.  I cannot do that out there.  Last, I need to concentrate on my stroke and resist the urge to swim at everyone else's pace. We'll see how that works with when I swim with all the other participants.

Fortunately, there is a first-timers swim wave in this race.  I have been playing in my head the Katy Perry song while I swim and I hope this will help focus me.

We did meet a very nice woman who was also swimming in the lake and she said that she was freaked out the first time she did a lake swim.  She advised me to do a back or side stroke if I start feeling anxious until I can continue with my freestyle.  She really made me feel okay about my fears.

I know I can swim the distance.  I know I am strong enough to complete the race.  Now I just need to work on the mental aspect of the swim.
Wish me luck!
D

Rose: The wonderful woman who made me feel okay about my swim.
Thorn: Panic in the water!