Yesterday’s inaugural open water swim(OSM) did not go as
smoothly as planned. That’s too mild…it sucked. However, today is a new day and
that means getting right back on that pony!
Drove right back up to the ocean today for a rematch with the mighty
Atlantic!
My biggest mistake of the day was before the workout even
began-I arrived before the lot attendant called it a day so I ended up forking
over $8 for parking. C’est La Vie!
Arriving at the beach during primo beach hours was quite the
spectacle. Sunbathers galore during the hottest part of the day and here I come
strolling onto the scene with my full wetsuit on. I didn’t want to scare the
children so I didn’t put the cap and goggles on till splashdown in the ocean! BTW- any New Englanders ever notice that
people you meet at the beach are so much nicer than strangers you meet
everywhere else? Maybe this is just a New England thing…
My swim workout was much better than yesterday’s in both
distance and comfort. Don’t get me wrong-I wasn’t at a great pace but I was
thrilled that I showed IMPROVEMENT! The self-doubts from the swim portion are
not as strong now. There may be a tiny, tiny, tiny lingering doubt somewhere in
my thick head but it is much smaller than the previous day(self-doubt, not my
head)!
Another win today was remembering my Body Glide and using
quite a bit. No friction burns today and the wetsuit came right off. WIN!
Next up was my first time cycling the course I will be
racing. I drove the course yesterday and today I was pumped to be cycling it
today. My plan- take it easy on the bike today so I can get a feel for the
terrain. I’d do a decent pace but I wouldn’t attack any of the course.
The first few miles and the last few miles are incredible-
on RT 1A that hugs the coastline for incredible ocean views. There were plenty
of other cyclists along this route, every one of them giving a friendly wave
that I returned. Deep down, I wonder if each person I see is signed up for this
race and they are the competition. Hmmm… you never know.
Post-workout chillin'!
Being land-locked in Colorado, I would be in heaven riding along the ocean - super jealous here! Sounds amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's about an hour away, but I chose my first race here for that reason! The mountains in CO aren't too shabby either!
DeleteThat ocean swim practice is the hardest. I can never seem to get myself out there to do it alone. I prefer to swim with lots of people like in a race. I feel safer.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I just gotta keep forcing myself out their!
DeleteGood to hear the second swim went better AND riding the course is a HUGE advantage over the competition!!
ReplyDeleteThanks BDD- i hope to do the course a handful of times if possible!
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