Sunday, June 5, 2011

What A Great Day For A 2.5 Mile Swim

All I can say is when I got to the lake this morning and saw the buoys marked out for the 2000 meter swim and realized I would be doing it TWICE...my tummy REALLY started to hurt. It hurt so bad that I couldn't even eat the breakfast I brought of leftover tater tots that was someone's midnight snack I found out on the counter this morning. You bet I bagged those bad boys up - way too many preservatives for them to have gone bad in that short amount of time, right?

So with tummy turning, I made my way over to the 2000 meter swimmers to wish them luck before they got in the water. Several of them had just finished the 800 meter, were heading out for the 2k and would then get back in the water for the 4k for a total distance of 4.25 miles total. YIKES! My heros!

By the time we finished our warm up, I was feeling a little better but still unsure if I could complete the entire two loops and also wondering how it would feel to come in dead last :-(

Morgan, Diane, Erica and I felt like we would all have a pretty similar pace and so we talked strategy...tried to remember each others race #s that were marked on our caps...but after the first two people's #s I got thoroughly confused and just hoped to recognize their goggles or wetsuits.

Off we went!

I obviously knew I could finish the first loop since that is my race distance, but I had some uncertainty as to how I wanted to handle it. I really wanted to see what kind of time I could do for my first 2000 meters so I would have an idea where I'm at going into Pac Crest this year. However, I was afraid if I pushed it too much, that I wouldn't have enough gas for the last 1000 or so meters of the second loop. As it was, I hit the 2000 meter mark at about 40 minutes. That's ok...but I was really thinking I would do better. My second loop I was fighting a bunch of people around me and it really threw me off. I can really let go and forget where I'm at and just swim like crazy if I'm off on my own, but it just wasn't happening. The one really great thing was that the whole way, but especially the last loop, I was stroke for stroke with Morgan. Every time I looked up to breath, she was looking at me. The sun was shining down on her pretty face and making her goggles light up like a rainbow. Perfect!

The four of us came into the finish on each others tails (we obviously train together!) and my finishing time was 1:25:25. I had expected to do better than 1:30:00 for sure! I had hoped for and thought it totally possible I would finish between 1:15:00 to 1:20:00, but I'll take my 1:25:25 and be happy that I had the gas to finish strong.

It was a great thing to do before race day. I have an idea of what I need to work on in terms of swimming nicely with others, but as far as my actual swimming...I feel great!

Now here's some pictures to go with the post below from yesterday's good time on the bike, the run, and the parking lot party afterwards!










17 comments:

Raina said...

Man that's a crazy long swim!
Glad you had some beautiful weather for it :)

You are going to do SO well at Pac crest, Julie!

ajh said...

Glad you're feeling good about the swim!

Julie said...

Julie I can not begin to tell you how impressed I am with your workouts! When I read about your brick below I was floored! As well as hoping that I would NEVER have anything like that in my future!

Girl you are my hero!

Kate Geisen said...

Wow, that's a long time to swim. Super impressive!

Pahla said...

You. Are. A. ROCK STAR!!! What a huge confidence booster to swim so well before your race - you are going to kick booty!!!

Michael said...

Every time you post another workout I am just amazed!! You are seriously my tri hero :)

Unknown said...

What a swim! I just found out a friend is doing the Oly at Pac Crest too. :)

Jill said...

I like the bare shirted guy pic :).

Wow, what an excellent swim...swimming is probably one of my better sports yet I just do. not. like. it so I tend to get in for 45 minutes then leave. I am very impressed!!

Ransick said...

Great swim! Good confidence builder for sure.

Average Woman Runner said...

Holy cow - a 2.5 mi swim. I really can't imagine. Nice job "testing the waters!" I'm so impressed!

XLMIC said...

Can I just come to the party part?

Woman, you are incredible... swimming is so not my bag. 2.5 miles... just WOW. As I said yesterday, you will be so well-prepared :)

Johann said...

Great training, well done! You are brave for sure.

Jen said...

You my dear, are so flippin amazing! Between the brick and that super long swim, you are going to be so ready! And it makes me so happy that you are not injured and are feeling good!
I can't wait to see what happens for you!
Oh and yes, we wear helmets! That was just a quick pose when she first got her bike!

Anonymous said...

WOW long swim-congrats for making it through! Hats off to you!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Holy fins!! That is a long @$$ swim! I freaking love your pics Julie! What a fun team to be a part of!!

Quinton J said...

i love that you have such a big crew to train with. so does jill apparently...at least the topless ones. awesome work on the swim btw...very very bad-ass.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Nice, I would love 1:25 swim at my upcoming Ironman