5-4-11
It's no longer a cold water group with the temp at 60 on Wednesday. It was a great day for swimming and I was really looking forward to going back to the Great Salt Lake, I think it may be my new favorite place to swim (when the ocean isn't an option). Unfortunately I was late so I got there as Josh, Gordon, and Goody were finishing their swim, but I got to chat with Brad from the State Parks who was there taking pictures of the swimmers. I'm excited to get to volunteer for Josh's swim he has put together this summer and it's great to see how much support and excitement the State Parks are giving him. I did the course that the rest of the group did except I went in reverse, starting at the ramp. Just a few seconds in and the water was great. My goal was to do at least a mile and to not stop as much. Leaving the marina a boat passed on my left and I had the pleasure of eating gasoline for the next 25 yards or so. Last week I was feeling really weak for some reason, but this week I felt better even though I still have a slight cold. After I made it out of the marina and to the first green buoy I looked east to sight the third buoy and headed for it. I'm still working on getting in shape so going out felt somewhat slow but just as enjoyable. On the return lap I finally felt like I had a rhythm going and a steady pace to keep and the second half felt like it went by much faster. I always felt kind of dumb because I didn't notice any currents when Josh and I swam Alcatraz in 2009, even more so because Coach Pedro had a special meeting talking about how strong they were and where to go for the best paths. It may be that I hadn't done hardy any open water swimming because now that I have done more I have noticed being moved around both times in the Great Salt Lake. Cutting across to return to the marina there was a slight current that I had to fight a little but luckily it didn't take much because I was kinda wearing out from the swim and my cold. All in all it was a great swim. I ended up at .88 miles so I was roughly 200 yards short which I was upset about but now I will know where to go next time. I was surprised by my time again, I finished just under 29 minutes, about 14.5 each lap which is what Josh and I did last week with the wind doing most of the work for us. As for the second half of my goal I did stop a handful of times but I think I did much better. For my next swim I need to stuff a Gatorade Prime in my suit not necessarily for the energy but to rehydrate my mouth from all the salt drying it out.
I'm sure the first words out of the Dr.'s mouth when I was born weren't "It's a swimmer!", nevertheless that was life's ultimate plan for the years ahead. All growing up we spent summers in our grandma's pool and for a lot of us Gram would be our first coach. With my brother and sister along with cousins we would learn basic technique and the water became our second home. 'Reunions' were weekly if not daily. Swimming was my first love but sometimes life forces us to give up the things we love. At the age of 3 I was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure, more specifically Prune Belly; A kidney disease effecting 1 in 40,000. Attacking the immune system, reducing energy, and holding kidney function at 12-14% getting out of bed in the morning is nothing short of a miracle and everyday truely a blessing. When I was a Jr. in high school my swimming times began to slip and at first I didn't pay it much attention but I soon realized I was headed down a difficult road, a road that only went in one direction. Physically I didn't feel any different and for the next several weeks I wrestled with myself as I practiced. "Should I stay? Is it worth it anymore? What about the team?" Failure was knocking at my door and threatening what I loved. Without my hand on the knob the door opened and passion died. There was a moment standing waist deep in the water inbetween sets, everything slowed down and reality settled in my heart and sank to the bottom of the pool. Failure was not a choice but something I had to accept...or so I thought. For years after quiting the team I was bitter and angry, I didn't want to swim or even hear about swimming. I dont think my family understood where I was and quite frankly neither did I. Part of me died when I left and for those who have had a broken heart for whatever reason understand what I mean. Somewhere along the way my brother started to dabble in triathlons and other athletic events, soon my sister joined and before I knew it I had been sucked in as well. Emersed in a new journey, high school was in the past and another chapter in life was starting. Bitterness melted away and anger faded. "If you love something, set it free..." I don't recall who originally said this but for me this came true. I had a renewed love and a refined understanding and acceptance of the past. I moved on and gained a burning desire to rise above circumstance. Before I layed down and didn't fight, life will always find ways to knock us down but we only lose when we give up or give in. I'll push through the pain, I'll kick a little longer, I'll reach a little farther...I'll swim towards redemption
Did you get chaffed at all? My neck and armpits were pretty bad. I should have put on BodyGlide or TriSlide first.
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