Hague 10K!

I felt good about this swim right from the start.  After the first few strokes, the water felt ideal— even though it was the same temperature that totally chilled me on my solo a few weeks before.  I was able to spot the buoys, and I felt strong— VERY unlike the last time I staggered by Hague!  The first lap took me about 52 minutes, and I felt steady, so was hopeful that I could finish in under the 4 hours— maybe 3:45??  In training, I can usually manage 6 miles in about that.  The last .2 to make a 10K always needs to be considered, but that isn’t even 1/4 mile, which I can usually manage in 8 or 9 minutes.  

The wind did kick up— I was very aware of it on laps 2 and 3.  Lap two took a bit longer, due to spotting challenges and the effort of going into the wind— especially at a slight angle, which knocks me off course more than straight on.  I did some ocean swimming the weekend before, and really love swimming in chop, so I wasn’t too worried, but the return trip of lap 2 wasn’t enough faster than the outbound leg of it to keep my pace on track— I took a full hour, leaving very little margin for error on the second half.  Lap 3 was as challenging, but I felt great— I felt strong, fast, consistent.  I may not have BEEN fast, but feeling powerful is my priority.  

I knew that there was a real risk that I would once again miss the cut off for lap 4, but I was ok with it— this year.  I had maintained a very solid pace, I had stayed focused, and I knew I was giving it my absolute best effort.  I was not hungry, I wasn’t distracted by a full bladder (last year, I hadn’t been able to deal with that while swimming, but yes, I trained for that this summer!), and I was not tired.  I was becoming aware of the fact that my shoulders were working at full capacity and might be sore later, but in a good way.  My kick was propulsive and keeping me on a good keel.  THAT is why I swim— for that feeling of everything coming together and getting me anywhere I want to go.

So, I pulled out the stops, and did my best to barrel into the turn toward the last lap.  I headed for those yellow buoys, and didn’t see any kayakers.  Hmmm. . .   I was close.  Very close.  It could go either way.  And I really was ok with that, even knowing that I was well able to do the final lap, time constraints notwithstanding.  Shoot, if a kayaker had been willing to keep me company, I could have swum back to Ticonderoga!  It was a beautiful day.  But I digress (which was part of my problem with the swim last summer!  Will I ever learn?)

During the safety briefing, they had said that even in lap 4, being too slow could get you picked up and brought in so that the marina could open.  I felt good, but still felt the need to power my way to the turn-around.  The wind was calm, the water smoothed out, and visibility was good.  Time shifted for me the way it sometimes does in a good swim, and before I knew it, I was at the green buoy at the far end of the course.  I had been aware of very few blue capped 5K swimmers, and wondered where they all were.  I was pretty sure I was the last one on the water.  

I could see the Marine Patrol boat with its flashing lights, a few larger boats- like the one with the Swimmers in the Water sign.  I hoped that I was doing well enough that I would be allowed to finish, even if they started gathering course markers and opening the marina in my wake.  The remaining orange buoys were lined up in front of me, and I could often only see one, as it blocked the others, letting me know I was on a great course— just skimming past them with peak efficiency.  

A kayaker came along side and paddled parallel to me for a few minutes— which was a great treat!  I love being able to navigate off a kayak, and it was like having a member of Team 32 from my solo alongside!!  I still glanced at the buoys, but not as often.  It was a nice rest for my neck.  I became aware of a blue capped swimmer near me!  Just what I needed to really kick it up and power forward.  It is so empowering to be able to boost past a swimmer who had to be fresher than I was, and as great as it was to see another swimmer, it was very cool to leave her in my bubble trail.  I was able to really motor along to the green buoy and head for the finish.  Hey, you take your motivation where you find it.  

As I got to the orange buoys at the finish, I had just enough energy left to do a few strokes of Butterfly, which I like to do as a tribute to my dear friend Doris Russell— Madam Butterfly of Ellicott City, Maryland.  We used to train together when I was doing open water in Maryland and she was doing Masters Nationals and Senior Olympics.  She is currently 97, and hoping to get to Sr. Olympics in September.  Doris is awesome— she started competing with Fly at 70, and holds many age group records.  I often hear her voice in my head saying, “Keep Kicking!”  

My official time was 4:00:58.2.  Dead last of the 10K swimmers, but I’ve finished last before.  Let me tell you, finishing last on something like this is NOT a problem.  I was very happy to cheer on the two swimmers from the 5K group who finished right after I did, and to find that kayaker and say thanks.  I also found my friend Hope, who had been so supportive last year when I was coming to terms with my “7.5 K.” 

A very good day for a swim.

Bridget M.M. Simpson & Hope Mao Oehler

August 26, 2017

(Photo credit:  Mike Oehler)

(Update- Doris swam the 50 & 100 Free at Senior Olympics after missing most of the summer in the pool due to consecutive cataract surgeries.  She didn't feel like doing Fly cold turkey, but she kept kicking!  Rock on, Doris!)