Noblesville open water swim, third go-round

I've really come to like the Indianapolis suburbs, it seems. I haven't set foot in the city itself since, oh 2001 I think, but I've now been to Noblesville three of the last four years. The nightlife? The shopping? (though I do not mean to disparage them, rather to plead ignorance of them in my singleminded focus) Nope: the reservoir. A great place for an open water swim, and so I sit on Sunday evening, somewhat aching, looking back on yesterday's race.

Back in 2008 I was part of a 5-person team, each of us swimming a 5km loop of the lake, that won the national title for our age group. Last year I went back to swim a solo 10km swim (two loops, of course), and took bronze in my age group. This year... well, we don't know yet. Results aren't yet posted because of some issues going on with the timing. Ah well, who cares? 6 Smelts showed up, four of us on one mixed gender 35+ team, and frankly, it was fun to do.

It didn't look promising first thing in the morning. Conrad, my cheering squad, and I were up at 4:45ish to be at the Morse Reservoir for the 6:00-6:30 check-in window. En route to the lake from the hotel, though, we hit heavy rain and saw lightning. Not good. No open water swim so long as there's a risk of lightning, and so it was when we got to the race site and I had numbers written in bold black marker on my arms and back that we learned the race would be delayed two hours. More sleep might have been nice, and I know some people did go back to their cars for that, but when I'm up, I'm up. A bit of a wait as the rain tapered and finally ended.

I was on a team with Ruth, Michael, and Liz - ah, we'll miss Liz when she moves to Dallas at the end of this month. Ruth filled in at the last minute, switching from an individual swim to our relay when our other teammate became ill (we hope she's feeling better quickly and in time for Pride!). Ruth also, I should add, went to a concert Friday night in Chicago THEN drove the 3-4 hours to the race site and slept two hours in her vehicle before checking in. More amazing? She stuck around a while after the race, drove home, went to Mass, then came for sushi and a concert with us. I am in awe. And in the end, we wouldn't have had a team without her. She deserves so much credit for all of that.

Heidi was there as part of another team, a trio of super-fast women. Chris was the sixth Smelt and the ironman among us, swimming the 25km. At least, we think he did. By the time we left, he had completed 15km, and we hope he made it the rest of the way. No matter, even 15km is a lot, and he had our respect and encouragement.

At 9:00ish, Chris set off, kayaker accompanying him.

At 9:30ish, the first wave of teams went off. Heidi was in this group. The rest of us were starting to get a bit antsy, wanting our turn.

They lined us all up to check us off against the registration list, had us enter the water to line up between a buoy and shore, and then bang! We were swimming.

One loop around one arm of the reservoir. Cool water, a terrific temperature that I wish the pools I usually swim in could stick to instead of being so much warmer. I started out close to the buoy, away from the crowd closer to shore and placed so that I'd be on the inside for going around the first marker. I was off, swimming well. Not bragging on that. It's the simple truth - I felt great. My stroke was feeling smooth. I was feeling the water, catching it well. I settled into a good, brisk rhythm of breathing that set up a song in my head for later in the race (you really do need something to get you through the swim when all sense of time is lost). Don't ask why it was International Velvet. It just was, and the chorus drove me through a good stretch of the second half of the race.

I felt fast going out, and I held my speed well. By 1/3 of the way into my swim, I was catching the tail end of the previous wave - they'd left about 7 or 8 minutes ahead of us. And I kept catching them. Not constantly (and there were a few from my wave carving their own way through the water faster than I was), but in groups every so often. It was great to have them ahead of me - something to strive for in catching them, and people to sight off of when I couldn't immediate see the next marker.

By the end of the race, I was a little disoriented. Either a bit of leakage in my googles, or perhaps some sweat from wearing a cap causing sunscreen (yes, I wore it - despite the clouds, it would have been easy to burn) to trickle down to my right eye. It stung some, and I was having trouble sighting. Also, there weren't that many people ahead of me. The last marker seemed too small to be a real marker, but I went for it, then kept going for where I thought the finish was. I wish I'd gone a little harder. I'm not upset at all.

I passed through the "chute" and continued on toward where a small group was standing up, wading toward shore. Mark from Indianapolis was there - he'd gone out in the previous wave and had just arrived a short bit ahead of me. Turning to look back toward the clock, I saw Heidi behind me - I'd caught her near the end and passed her. She and I congratulated each other and compared our experiences, walking in to shore to food and Conrad. Once there, we could cheer as Michael then Liz then Ruth all made it in. We even got to cheer for Chris as he looped by at his 10km mark.

I think we all were happy with our swims. Conditions were good, and I, for one, had no problems with crowding around me. My time according to preliminary results was 1:13:16. Not too bad. A minute slower than three years ago, I think but under two minutes slower than a timed swim at the natatorium at UIC where I had the benefit of turns and people to pace off of.

We ate, we waited for results, we left for Chicago and en route I slept a bit. At home, a good, long, hot shower was my first order of business.

It's a good swim, Noblesville. I know the timing is vexing them, and I hope they sort it all out. I hope they also know that now all of us really care too much - we just went for a fun swim with friends, our teammates and others. I'll keep an eye on next summer's open water schedule and see if a trip to IN is in order again. But for now and for once, I'll not be self-deprecating about what I have done. I swam well yesterday, and I'm simply proud of what I and my teammates did.

(for more photos, check out the set on Flickr)

proud to swim

Well, ok: proud to coach. And swim - just not at meets, thank you.

Yesterday was the concluding day of the 2011 Illinois Masters State Meet, and friends, the Smelts did very well. Very well indeed. Fourth place overall with Lauren and Heidi taking high points in their age groups.

Conrad and I went out to the suburban high school (wow, they build high schools big here!) where the meet was held to support the team for the morning session. I had offered to coach, and that was very sweet and flattering to be asked, truly. To be honest, though, the Smelts did not need a coach. Oh, an encouraging word or more doesn't go amiss, I know. I also took splits for most of them in some of the races. Mostly, though, it's too late to tinker with their stroke, to give them technique to fret over. They've trained well and hard, and they can get the races done quite nicely. Which, definitely, they proceeded to do. And so, at noon(ish), Conrad and I packed up and drove back into the city, content that our team was in its own, collective good hands.

And if only - and I will stop whining about this, I promise - I weren't on this cleanse. That pizza at North End smelled so good come dinner time, and a good beer on an 80 degree day (yes, it was a warm early April here yesterday) would have gone down well.

The team has undergone many changes even in my mere 11 years swimming with it. The long-timers will have seen so much more. No matter. It's enjoyable to go for brunch or to organized social functions and chat with them all. It's encouraging how much the newer swimmers have embraced the team as a whole and put forward great effort in the water and on the deck cheering. It's terrific that we can so ably include straight and gay (men and women, though I do wish we had a few more lesbians) on the team because we all just like swimming. The team are good people.

Smelts, I am proud of you. And yet, as I sit typing this under an hour before Monday practice, I can assure you that I have not intentionally drawn up an easy practice for tonight. See you at Gill Park!

(photos up on Flickr!)

2:34:51

I admit, I got more than a little caught up in the whole birthday celebration thing, and, as a result, I have neglected some other things in my life. Like this blog, and like mentioning things other than my birthday on this blog.

So let's fix that and talk instead of how I am a national bronze medalist.

:-)

Two summers ago I was part of a national championship open water swim team, successfully completing my 5km leg of a 25km relay team. The setting was a reservoir outside of Indianapolis, near Noblesville, and was it ever a great swim. Last month I went back for another swim, a longer swim. No team, all alone.

Fun!

No, I wasn't exactly alone. For starters, the handsome, wonderful supportive Conrad was my very able and willing biggest fan. Not much for him to see while I was swimming, mind, you, and I'm glad that he went off in search of breakfast.

Also, Ruth (from Smelts) and Marcia (who was a teammate in 2008) were there to swim, as was Ruth's friend (and former Smelt) John. I wish more of my teammates had made it to Indiana this summer - I'm talking about you, Tim! - but ah well.

Conrad and I drove down after lunch on the Friday and made it in time for me to get inked (which needed re-application the next day - apparently sunscreen will remove Magic Marker) and for the pre-race meeting. Butterflies were settling in a little, but only a little. Heck, it's just a swim, right?

To the hotel, check in, dinner with the handsome Greg, then to bed. Up early and dawn at the race site. Warm up.







And then, ladies and gentlemen and everyone else, we were off in waves. I was in the first wave, the faster wave, and I soon settled into a rhythm. An hour and a bit later (around 1:13), I passed through the timing area at the completion of my first loop. Back out again.

The second loop started well enough. Yep, tired, but not worn down. Sore, definitely. I had banged my right forearm on a car sideview mirror in the restaurant parking lot the night before, and it was beginning to throb. By the end of the race, it was screamingly painful.

I was also not bilateral breathing like I thought I should. The vagaries of where the sun was at the outset kind of set me on single-side breathing out my strong side (my left), and I kept that up throughout. It worked for me, in the end, but I do wonder how the race would have turned out differently.

And Ruth, I know, is horrified that I didn't take water or nourishment during the race. Worse, I had a glass of wine the night before!

And then, you round that last little curve, and the end is there. SPRINT! Or something like that. Conrad there on shore to meet me. Done!





In the end, though: 2:34:51. Really, that's quite good, I think. I was pleased with my time, and when I saw my placing, all the happier. 22nd overall, 3rd in my age group. Yes, you can tell people you know a US Masters 10km Open Water Swimming Championships bronze medalist.

;-)

And then it was time to rest, refuel, cheer for Marcia, Ruth, and John as I saw them come in. Text TK. And eat. Oh man, did I eat. I feel like I've been eating non-stop since!

I don't often compete, and I don't take it too seriously when I do. I know there's a lot of people out there who can kick my butt in swimming (and running) - heck, I used to coach 9 year old girls who were faster. I have no illusions. Still, I did well. I know I did. And I had fun, truly. 2+ hours of swimming is remarkably meditative, and that time to expend energy and just be alone with my thoughts was pretty precious, I have to say.

2012, perhaps?

(More photos on Flickr!)

demanding week

This blog is a great means of getting all confessional with the 3 of you who occasionally read it (thank you). Today's confession (good for my soul, I think): I am lazy.

Oh yes, a life of lying on a couch, eating bonbons and reading magazines would be all too appealing to me. I don't care to have to buy a new set of fat clothes, though, and such a lifestyle would demand just such outlay of cash.

But really, I hate the gym, I'm useless at most sports (hand-eye coordination? What is that?), and I hate inconvenience. Which makes exercise something of a challenge at some periods of my life, despite what you might have read on here about marathons or other craziness. And really, I have no class reunion this year (oh, well, I do have the ten year anniversary of graduating from McGill - shoot! there goes that excuse), so who am I trying to impress?

This week, I did two things.

• I went to the gym. Twice. The tiny little ab muscles buried under my rolls are not happy with me.
• I swam a heck of a lot. If I have it figured right, in the last week I have done 13+ miles in the water. A hint of exercise sneaking in to my life.

The swimming is the easy one. I don't suck at it, for starters. It feels good - there's a weird thrill in nailing a turn and coming off that wall in a great streamline (Jossy-poo, I will never forget you making fun of us at BC Winter Games in North Van for our horrid streamline). Also, even though swimming is done in my own mental space, it's a team thing for me.

The workout this morning was substantial. 100 X 100 yards - 10,000 yards total. Each 100 was on an interval of 100 seconds. Super easy interval for the first 1000 yards or so. By 9000 yards in? Most welcome! A fun set of swimming, too - not all free. And, best of all, a very good group of people to swim with. Chris, our coach, organized the swim and Liz, another coach, booked the space for us. Carrie rejoined us after time off with a new, young son. Adam and Dan have been doing this from the start several years back, and Heidi is no stranger to it, having done it a few times now, I believe. Greg and Michael are new recruits, and Marcia is not only new, but not a Smelt (but she was part of our national champion open water team in 2008!). Alas, no Marty, no Matt. Next time!


My prep started Friday night. Carb loading? No, not really. My traditional pre-marathon dinner (because this was about endurance): sushi! Rice (for carbs), but protein and few sauces and little fat. Suit packed. Pull buoy packed. Extra goggles put together (I use the Swedes) just in case. Saturday morning, it was scones for Smelts, special 100 100s edition. And then? a big swim. A big, satisfying swim. And a great group to do it with.

I will be a little sore and stiff tomorrow, then Monday back to the pool and Tuesday back to the gym. One day, maybe, I'll drop the 5 or so pounds and broaden my shoulders. At least, for one demanding week, I have made a start!

I (heart) my team

Ah Smelts. Tasty fish. Good teammates. I spent several hours with a bunch of them yesterday and made it through to the other end, deeply grateful to be one of them.

A swim meet in Evanston had me out of bed a little early after a very good dinner with a wee bit more wine than normally I have. Ah well. I had said I would coach the swimmers, and, in fact, I rather like doing so. It's a good way to pull together as a group but also to find time to talk with individuals and know them a little better. Also, to mentally compose the list of future dinner party guests.

I have to say a few things about the meet:

Some fast swimming there.
Some nasty turns by a lot of swimmers. "Janky" was how I described them to one friend.
Some definite eye candy - nice to see some good looking non-Smelts in Speedos. Oh, don't look at me that way.

The team won the meet (well, as I understand it, the large and powerful Evanston team considers it tacky to win their own meet), and well done to them all. I'm utterly proud of them. And no, it does not inspire me in the least to put on a suit and goggles, get up on the blocks, and make a complete ass of myself in front of everyone. I'm altogether skilled at doing that without having to race, thank you very much.

Post-meet, we headed for The Glenwood where the beer flowed and the pizza fed ravenous swimmers (and coach). I got home at around 5, having barely seen Conrad all day. Ah well, he knows the life of Smelts himself, of course.

Just a super job, though, team. I can't wait until Ruth sends out her massive missive to our team list - that will be fun, reliving the enjoyable Sunday with Smelts.

Meet photos:

Adam

Andrea

Billy and Liz

Brian

Lauren

Michael and Bjorn

Luis and Heidi

Mark and Dana

Liz, Adam, and Ruth

Bjorn and Brian

Luis

With Luis

With Ruth



The Glenwood photos:

Liz and Adam

Bjorn, Brian, and Dana

Scot

Michael, Dan, and Lauren

Patrick, Daniel, Bjorn, and Brett

Ruth and Greg (last two photos)