2 events are better than 1
Open water season is here! Pool season is long forgotten......
Not so fast!
Saturday was the first GSS Race in Ontario. "Mine Over Matter" at Kelso quarry is one of the easiest ows's around. There are no surprises at this swim. The water is flat, warm, and saturated with sediment from the quarry. The swim itself is an add on to the off road triathlon already happening and as such there is a sizable crowd.
We did a mass start with both the 1 km and 2 km swimmers. A single loops was one km so the start was full but the finish was thin. My finish was more work than anticipated as a fellow swimmer Chris was right in my pocket and ended up with a finish time 1 second faster. That 1 second got him a gold and me the silver.
He will be at most of GSS races this summer so I'll have my chance at redemption.
I was standing around jawin with my friend Linda as we waited for medals. "So... what's your next event?" She wasn't ready for my answer.
I visit the US Masters Swimming site often to see what they've got going on. They have more 50m pools, more swimmers, and more events. I'm always looking for something that will catch my eye. Something caught my eye.
"If I leave relatively soon I can make a long course meet in Michigan." Linda had a surprised look. "Today?" she asked.
My schedule was tight. Deck entry for the meet closed at 4:15 and my GPS said I would make it by 3:50. From experience I know that the arrival time creeps so I knew I had little room for error. Or lunch.
I gunned my way down the 401/402. I was hungry, thirsty, and tired but didn't want to stop. On the 402 stretch I suffered through a tornado warning, black skies, and rain coming down like a waterfall. By the time I got to the border it had all dried up. Now - there was some level of concern as the meet was outdoors and the forecast said miserable things for the start time. It was a risk.
With about 10 km to go in my journey I saw that I had enough time to squeeze in a pit stop. Eating right before a race isn't optimal but I was beginning to feel miserable. In hindsight I think I was dealing with some dehydration and caffeine withdrawal (missed my lunch coffee).
Finally I arrived. I had made it just in time.
It's beautiful. And it seems so simple when you're standing there looking at it. But do you think we can get one of these around here?
The entry form said that I could swim as many events as I liked. The one I really wanted was the 1500 and everything else was gravy. I entered so many events I forgot what I was in. Once results are posted it will make sense again. There wasn't a large amount of swimmers so I basically hung out at the start end where they had heat sheets posted because chances were I was up soon. In the US they don't always have the same approach to staying in the pool at the end of your swim.... which was good for me in the 100 back because I literally got out and got onto the starting block for 100 breast.
Sadly - my last 2 events got cut, one being the 1500 (of course). The next round of lighting moved in and it was a mad rush to get everyone off the pool deck. I must say that the exit strategy here left room for improvement. That aside it was a blast. Generally I find Americans a lot of fun and their various accents make it all the more exciting.
I made my way back through more weather. Exhausted as I was I took in a late movie in Sarnia. Finally at 3am I made my way into bed only to be woken up a few hours later by my wonderful children wishing me a happy Father's day.
People ask me which I prefer, pool or open water. I honestly don't know. What I know for certain is that if I could do both all year through I would.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion
Not so fast!
Saturday was the first GSS Race in Ontario. "Mine Over Matter" at Kelso quarry is one of the easiest ows's around. There are no surprises at this swim. The water is flat, warm, and saturated with sediment from the quarry. The swim itself is an add on to the off road triathlon already happening and as such there is a sizable crowd.
We did a mass start with both the 1 km and 2 km swimmers. A single loops was one km so the start was full but the finish was thin. My finish was more work than anticipated as a fellow swimmer Chris was right in my pocket and ended up with a finish time 1 second faster. That 1 second got him a gold and me the silver.
He will be at most of GSS races this summer so I'll have my chance at redemption.
I was standing around jawin with my friend Linda as we waited for medals. "So... what's your next event?" She wasn't ready for my answer.
I visit the US Masters Swimming site often to see what they've got going on. They have more 50m pools, more swimmers, and more events. I'm always looking for something that will catch my eye. Something caught my eye.
"If I leave relatively soon I can make a long course meet in Michigan." Linda had a surprised look. "Today?" she asked.
My schedule was tight. Deck entry for the meet closed at 4:15 and my GPS said I would make it by 3:50. From experience I know that the arrival time creeps so I knew I had little room for error. Or lunch.
I gunned my way down the 401/402. I was hungry, thirsty, and tired but didn't want to stop. On the 402 stretch I suffered through a tornado warning, black skies, and rain coming down like a waterfall. By the time I got to the border it had all dried up. Now - there was some level of concern as the meet was outdoors and the forecast said miserable things for the start time. It was a risk.
With about 10 km to go in my journey I saw that I had enough time to squeeze in a pit stop. Eating right before a race isn't optimal but I was beginning to feel miserable. In hindsight I think I was dealing with some dehydration and caffeine withdrawal (missed my lunch coffee).
Finally I arrived. I had made it just in time.
It's beautiful. And it seems so simple when you're standing there looking at it. But do you think we can get one of these around here?
The entry form said that I could swim as many events as I liked. The one I really wanted was the 1500 and everything else was gravy. I entered so many events I forgot what I was in. Once results are posted it will make sense again. There wasn't a large amount of swimmers so I basically hung out at the start end where they had heat sheets posted because chances were I was up soon. In the US they don't always have the same approach to staying in the pool at the end of your swim.... which was good for me in the 100 back because I literally got out and got onto the starting block for 100 breast.
Sadly - my last 2 events got cut, one being the 1500 (of course). The next round of lighting moved in and it was a mad rush to get everyone off the pool deck. I must say that the exit strategy here left room for improvement. That aside it was a blast. Generally I find Americans a lot of fun and their various accents make it all the more exciting.
I made my way back through more weather. Exhausted as I was I took in a late movie in Sarnia. Finally at 3am I made my way into bed only to be woken up a few hours later by my wonderful children wishing me a happy Father's day.
People ask me which I prefer, pool or open water. I honestly don't know. What I know for certain is that if I could do both all year through I would.
Until I touch the wall.....
Michael Kenny
Masters Swimmer
Cambridge Mavericks
Marathon Open Water Swimmer
2015-16 Global Swim Series Champion