My biggest fear in the entire world is drowning. In Runner Susan’s world, there isn’t much worse than death by drowning. It used to be death caused by a giant hunk of metal plowing me over while I was innocently driving my bike down the road. And before that it was all those crazy psychopaths who I imaged were out following me on my 5 am morning runs.
But by far this fear of drowning is the worst, and my fear of drowning in dark and murky open lake water is far worser (I’m making it a word, so shut it). That being said, I had my first open water swim experience last Sunday. Obviously, I’m still living – but a week later I think I can feel the lake water still sitting in my belly. Souring. Fermenting. Simmering.
I simmered a bit by the water while the group did their first lap. It’s a really, really long lap that reaches way, way, way, way out by the boats. BOATS! I was assured the boats stay on the other side of the buoy, but what’s a tiny buoy compared to a giant-sized boat with a driver who might not be paying attention and take a wrong turn severing my body into two pieces?
I only made it in the water up to my ankles before T had to lead me by the hand, through the muck and into the water. The water – the deep, dark, scary water – the water you can’t see through because the nightmarish cloudy mud color only allows for a tenth of an inch of vision. Despite the nightmare, I did swim to the closest buoy and back with T. I treaded some water and then did two more swims to the buoy and back. I mostly kept my face out of the water, but even so – a little bit of nasty seeped into my mouth.
With my head above water I treaded some more and while everyone else was doing another big lap I looked around the shore and noticed several pails labeled “bait.” BAIT. And then I proceeded to thoroughly FREAK OUT. I don’t belong in places with bait and boats. No sir, I do not belong with bait or boats – and I’ll be honest with you, the bait part freaked me out way more than the boating. Way more.
And please use this picture as fair warning – open water swimming is not as glamourous as, well? anything at all and ever – so always bring a hat if you are planning a run after!
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
sweet.
it takes a while to get over the lake swim fear, and just when you get that mastered, someone convinces you to sign up for a race with an ocean swim.
when you’re ready to get scared the eff out of your skin, give me a ring and i’ll set up a swim through a kelp bed. THAT is good times.
*shivers from the heebee jeebees he just gave himself*
oh, and nice faux hawk.
you’re way smarter than i am. i didnt even do a trial run on the yukky lake water swim before my FIRST tri…and my FIRST tri being with the swim in a lake. a lake where i too, am deathly afraid of the deep, the muck and whatever lies beneath. i got about 20yds in and panicked when the first bit of water went into my mouth as i gasped for air. from there on i tried to swim but couldnt. not on my stomach. so i flipped over and swam the entired 280 yrds left on my back. yes indeedy. took me 12 min too
you go girl!
So…why are you doing this again?
Hey beautiful Susan, are you related to Tin Tin?
D.
Or was this a Something About Mary moment?
D.
OK, I’m weird. I love the open water.
I would be afraid of bait buckets too.
Hey, great post, as usual. I’ve recently started swimming and I want to do some open water swims to prepare for an open water swim race in October. Where did you swim? What group are you swimming with? Can you give a few more details?
Thanks! And keep it up! I’m sure it gets easier over time.
Great post !! I’d prefer to swim in the pool. So clean and refreshing! I know.. I know I have to start learning to swim in the river and the ocean soon.
I will echo: Just wait till you get to OW swimming in the OCEAN. The Ocean where things-with-large-sharp-teeth-we-will-never-mention-by-name live. And I am one of the slowest. swimmers. ever. i.e. most voted most likely to be bait.
Most likely because I never practice like you are doing here. Hmmmm….
Awesome observation from “The *UK* D” – totally Tin Tin! With a swim-cap mark.
You look very hard-core open water Susan. Don’t worry about “bate”. There are no white-pointer sharks in lakes. And if you can swim… you won’t drown!
I’m afraid of fish. I never even thought about bait. And when I get to a warm spot in a lake I’m sure one of the 600 pound catfish is just below me spewing his hot catfish breath, just waiting to grab me and pull me into his slimy catfish hole. Only we don’t have those here.
Are you wearing a wetsuit? It’s like a full body water wing – it makes things SO much better. You can get sleeveless ones with short legs. Highly advised.
OMG, you should have seen me at my 1st OWS practice. I really did think I was gonna die. If it helps at all, it really does get better! Really.
i’ll never do a race with a swim in the ocean. NEVER. but a muddy lake? No biggy! I promise! I also promise if you put your head in the water you will finish faster than if you keep it out. that had to hurt! I have a sleeveless wetsuit. It rocks.
nice hair!
You are a much braver women than I…I would never post a post-swim photo of myself. I have raccoon eyes for about half the freakin day. And I swear my hair is getting thinner due to the stupid cap. I do love swimming though. The dark water freaks me out to though. But keep in mind the turtles and snakes will bite the people in the front!
Again, we could be twins. I had my first open water swim a week or two ago. It sucked too. I sucked. Swimming sucks. But yet I still love triathlon. Why oh why!!?
i have the same phobia. dark water. it’s not so much open water. i’m doomed with the speed at which we’re junking up the waters, too. i fear all the litter: rusty cans, hooks, broken bottles.
i don’t think the open swim would have scared me before the 1940s–before we became the throw-away people.
I can totally relate. I’m scared of fish though. LOL
I have taken microbiology…I don’t even drive by lakes with my windows down so there’s no way in hell I’d get in one! hehe So, when’s dinner? hehe