Where to begin? How about the swim? OK...I was so disoriented in the open water. The lake is described as clean and clear and smooth as glass. Not where I was trying to swim! Holy crap! All I could see was brown. I was disoriented. I couldn't do my stroke, I couldn't breathe. I rolled onto my back. I breathed, (really fast). Finally I raised my hand! I needed help! Steven with the kayak to the rescue. "Just relax, catch your breath".
The last wave was coming up on me. He told me when there was a break in the swimmers so I could try again. I tried. I stopped. I swam, I stopped. Man, was I doing a funky stroke. Breathing on the right, sighting, breathing on the right again. This was not was I was taught. Think about all of the things you've learned. Long strokes, relaxed hands. You know what to do, why can't you do it?! Frustration! Now I'm being circled by motorized boats. Kayaker Steven is now with me the whole way. He's talking to me. He's telling me how my stroke is looking better. Here come the boats and jet skis again. Don't they know they are making waves and sending diesel exhaust into my already labored lungs?!
I told Steven about my 4 kids waiting for me and how I couldn't disappoint them. He told me how he had run a marathon in Disneyworld and at mile 13 his knee started hurting so bad, he had to walk the last 11 miles. But he was not going to give up until they pulled him from the course. I kept swimming, (or moving through the water!)
Finally, I round the last buoy and I see "Wiggly Man" on the dock. OMG...Is that actually the finish in sight? Well, let me tell you...it's still a long way off!
As I exit the water after over 90 minutes of swimming, I turn to Steven and say "Thank you is inadequate". There is no way to let that wonderful kayaker know how much I appreciated him staying with me. Seeing that kayak let me know that I was safe and knowing he was staying with me 'til he "beached the kayak on the sand", means more to me than I can express. Steven, wherever you are..."Thank you"!
So now I'm out of the water and sooo dizzy. The volunteer says do you want to put your head between your knees? That sounds like a ridiculous idea! Then she says, "Why don't you sit down on that bench and take off your wetsuit?" Oh, no thank you. "You know, I've seen a lot of people doing that today". OK...that was my permission. I was the last one out of the lake, I didn't want to be a sissy and take off my wet suit sitting down on the dock. But that's what I did!
Then I fast walked to the end of the pier, and there was TRIgirl ANNN. Cheering! I told her I was dizzy. What should I do? Sit down to put on your shoes for the bike. Then get on that bike and catch TRIgirl Cyndi! ANNN followed me into TA, (she was the run leg of a relay). She offered me gel. She took pictures of me putting BodyGlide inside of my thighs! Ugh! She made me laugh. She sent me off with a good spirit! Thank you my delight!
Across the street, also taking pics, was my wonderful husband and 4 kids. (The husband later confessed he was worried to sickness about me in the lake!) But when I saw them they were all smiles, cheers, "Go Mommi". God, seeing their faces...Oh...words cannot describe!
OK, that was 1.2 miles of 70.3.
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