Swimmers in the mist (LOST 2017)
When you make a checklist of perfect swim conditions it often includes the following;
- clear skies
- flat water
- warm water
- the option of wearing a wetsuit, or not
- sand
- a straightforward swim plan
Today was the LOST swim. At least the water was flat.
Now before anyone thinks I'm making a dig at Rob and his team let me state that I REALLY am not. Our conditions today were epic (of the frigid variety) and they did their absolute best to roll with the punches.
So - upon arrival this is pretty much what we saw...
Followed shortly by this...
The lake had gone from a balmy temperature to 10C/50F overnight - likely due to the storm we had. The 3.8km turned into a 750m while the "mile" turned into a 500m. I opted to stay with the 500m ONLY because I wanted the medal. It is different than the 3.8km one which I got last year.
Then came the dreaded announcement....
Wetsuit mandatory. I wasn't a fan last year and I'm still not.
But we make due with what we have.
This "beach" in particular is not one of my favorites. I despise walking on stone, especially coming out of freezing water. But it supports my sport, Rob and his team, and the GSS series. So I do it.
Notice the zombie style walk....
The course itself became my misery.
The original version was going to be one size rectangle for the 500m and another for the 750m.
See it here?
Neither could we. Which was this issue. So - they made it a 250m loop (you can sort the math out yourself) which was much simpler.
Because the course was simple with corners marked with orange buoys one should be able to recognize when they have made a navigational error. See the orange buoy on the far left? Once I passed it I was right on the tail of another swimmer and I watched his feet. At some point I realized that I was heading back down the rear straight away but hadn't seen another orange buoy. I popped my head around and sure as anything both I and the swimmer that I had been following had cut the corner. I had a decision to make... fake that I didn't realize or fix the problem. I fixed the problem. I swam against the flow of the other swimmers, made the proper turn around the corner and cursed the rest of the swim. I foolish mistake that cost me "place" and time.
After my quick dip the "superheroes" did their distance. Secretly I was envious.
The water was cold but I had gotten in earlier than most to get acclimatized. This went against the suggestion of Rob and crew but I know my body and what I have to do to swim in cold water. There was no waiting on shore. The flip side was that I was good to keep going after the 500m. I even imagined asking to swim the 750m after but the bugaboo was the wetsuit. It really made swimming a chore for me.
Regardless of what people swam today we call earned a badge of honor. It is no small thing swimming under these conditions. Yet here we were battling the elements and cheering each other on like Vikings.
You have to wonder.... why on earth would we do this to ourselves? We LINED UP to do this!
If I've said it once I've said it more than once.... this thing is about the sense of community and camaraderie that it builds. Very few would just go out on their own for giggles to do this.
As I continue to try and do my part to "build this sport" I feel that I must point that out and give warning against division.
A huge thank you to Rob and his crew. Today was a sliding tile game and everyone still seemed to have a blast.
*** Don't for get to check out my tshirt store! https://teespring.com/stores/swim-diesel ***
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
B : 53724F20
- clear skies
- flat water
- warm water
- the option of wearing a wetsuit, or not
- sand
- a straightforward swim plan
Today was the LOST swim. At least the water was flat.
Now before anyone thinks I'm making a dig at Rob and his team let me state that I REALLY am not. Our conditions today were epic (of the frigid variety) and they did their absolute best to roll with the punches.
So - upon arrival this is pretty much what we saw...
Followed shortly by this...
The lake had gone from a balmy temperature to 10C/50F overnight - likely due to the storm we had. The 3.8km turned into a 750m while the "mile" turned into a 500m. I opted to stay with the 500m ONLY because I wanted the medal. It is different than the 3.8km one which I got last year.
Then came the dreaded announcement....
Wetsuit mandatory. I wasn't a fan last year and I'm still not.
But we make due with what we have.
This "beach" in particular is not one of my favorites. I despise walking on stone, especially coming out of freezing water. But it supports my sport, Rob and his team, and the GSS series. So I do it.
Notice the zombie style walk....
The course itself became my misery.
The original version was going to be one size rectangle for the 500m and another for the 750m.
See it here?
Neither could we. Which was this issue. So - they made it a 250m loop (you can sort the math out yourself) which was much simpler.
Because the course was simple with corners marked with orange buoys one should be able to recognize when they have made a navigational error. See the orange buoy on the far left? Once I passed it I was right on the tail of another swimmer and I watched his feet. At some point I realized that I was heading back down the rear straight away but hadn't seen another orange buoy. I popped my head around and sure as anything both I and the swimmer that I had been following had cut the corner. I had a decision to make... fake that I didn't realize or fix the problem. I fixed the problem. I swam against the flow of the other swimmers, made the proper turn around the corner and cursed the rest of the swim. I foolish mistake that cost me "place" and time.
After my quick dip the "superheroes" did their distance. Secretly I was envious.
The water was cold but I had gotten in earlier than most to get acclimatized. This went against the suggestion of Rob and crew but I know my body and what I have to do to swim in cold water. There was no waiting on shore. The flip side was that I was good to keep going after the 500m. I even imagined asking to swim the 750m after but the bugaboo was the wetsuit. It really made swimming a chore for me.
Regardless of what people swam today we call earned a badge of honor. It is no small thing swimming under these conditions. Yet here we were battling the elements and cheering each other on like Vikings.
You have to wonder.... why on earth would we do this to ourselves? We LINED UP to do this!
If I've said it once I've said it more than once.... this thing is about the sense of community and camaraderie that it builds. Very few would just go out on their own for giggles to do this.
As I continue to try and do my part to "build this sport" I feel that I must point that out and give warning against division.
A huge thank you to Rob and his crew. Today was a sliding tile game and everyone still seemed to have a blast.
*** Don't for get to check out my tshirt store! https://teespring.com/stores/swim-diesel ***
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Contact Info :
F : https://www.facebook.com/swim.diesel
I : https://www.instagram.com/swim.diesel
T : https://twitter.com/SwimDiesel
E : m.j.kenny@swim-diesel.com
+ : google.com/+Swim-diesel
B : 53724F20