Chesapeake Bay Swim Final RR

<p>Total time:  3:07:16</p>
<p>Slower than I thought I'd be, but just enough to get it done, turns out.</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Moco beat me to the punch with her race report, and many of the pre-race details are the same.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">I will say, however, that Adco and Moco are awesome friends to rescue me from possibly ending my sister’s life due to her …. Ummmmmmmm, how do I say it?..... “yutzness.”  Yes, I just invented that word.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">The nutshell of it is that a long time ago she volunteered to pick me up from the train and get me to the hotel where we were going to stay.  Two weeks out, she decided that that would be “too hard.”  (*sigh*).  While Monica was busy freaking and obsessing about temperature, I was busy freaking and obsessing about how I was going to get from Manassas, VA to Annapolis, MD.  In the end, I changed my arrival station to Union Station in DC, took Metro up to Silver Spring, MD, and got picked up by some awesome folks.  Luckily, my sister did manage to make it to the race so I had a place to sleep that night.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Also, CAKE is fabulous, too.  She came through and was willing to loan me her sleeveless wetsuit, since the word was that the water temps were going to be hovering just at USAT wetsuit legal temps.  With the race starting so late in the day, and it being so potentially hot, I wasn’t sure I wanted to wear my full sleeved wetsuit.  Turns out, I didn’t use it, but having that option made me rest a bit easier.  AND, in my trial of it in the hotel room, it fit great and was snazzy lookin’ too!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89127/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="wetsuite.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17095" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17095/width/299/height/500" style="; width: 299px; height: 500px"></a></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">I took AMTRAK up to the race.  I didn’t want to drive since I wasn’t sure how I’d feel afterward, and I’m on my own personal boycott of the airline industry lately.  They just irritate me to no end.  While the train isn’t all that speedy, it’s definitely more relaxing than flying.  My trip up north was a little strange, in that we left 4 hours late due to equipment issues from the previous day on the route.  But, due to the wonder of cell phones, it all ended up working out ok.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">After Adam and Monica picked me up, we headed to the hotel and got checked in.  The amount of luggage that the three of us had seemed to nearly rival an IM trip…but not quite.  I was quite impressed at the ability to stack that hotel cart and not have anything fall off. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89129/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="luggage.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17096" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17096/width/299/height/500" style="; width: 299px; height: 500px"></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Then, the drive over to the race start to find out whether there would be a charge for Adam to watch the race (yes, $6) and try to debate if he’d go.  As of that evening, there still wasn’t a firm decision.  Then, we drove the bridge so that Monica could see the course.  I went to HS in the area and was familiar with the bridge, but seeing it again put everything into perspective.  Mostly, too, it was good to see the beach where we’d start.  The water looked really flat and friendly.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">After a dinner at Macaroni Grill that was its own little adventure (we got a rainbow after we got stormed on),</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89131/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="rainbow.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17097" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17097/width/299/height/500" style="; width: 299px; height: 500px"></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">we headed back and I repacked everything for the next morning.  I put all the race stuff in my race bag, and everything else in suitcases.  The plan was to check out and have all of our gear in Adam’s car.  Then, after the race, transfer my stuff into sis’s car and head our separate ways. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">In the morning, I had breakfast and “made friends” as Adam says with other swimmers in the lobby.  French toast and scrambled eggs for me.  Odd for a race brekky?  Not for me.  For any swim meet or swim event (ever since college) that’s been my standard breakfast.  Why mess with something that works, right?  We didn’t have to be at the shuttle bus pickup point until about 8:30 or 9:00 so it was nice to have a “normal” wake-up time and breakfast…unlike the 4:00 or earlier IM breakfasts. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">The bus situation could have been better organized, but Monica and I made it on one by being in the right place at the right time.  Everyone was friendly, and the veterans were happy to share info with we two newbies.  Once we got dropped off at the start, check in and body marking went super smooth and fast.  Then, it was just a matter of copping a squat in some shade and waiting.  Oh yeah…and avoiding having my elbow broken by Monica!  Lol.  She tried to help me get up at one point, but didn’t realize my feet weren’t quite under me, and ended up dropping me on my arm.  Smooth.  I made the final decision to swim sans-wetsuit, and had Monica slather me up with more SPF 50.  The bag drop was handled without incident, once Monica reminded me to take off my shorts, hat and sunglasses.  Yet another smooth move on my part.  Nope, I’m not a newbie to this race!  Nope, not me.  Riiiiiiiiiiiight!</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">The safety briefing was very clear regarding the course, and the need NOT to argue with the nice people in the Coast Guard.  Safety, safety, safety….big message.  A good message, too.  The information about the currents, though…. Wow.  I don’t know if I’m just unfamiliar with things, but it sounded as if things would be “smooth sailing” and didn’t exactly end up that way.  We were told that there would be an ebb tide (headed out to sea, from left to right) in the beginning, and to stay on the left side of the course.  If we got pushed under the bridges on either side, we would be DQ’d.  Then, in the middle, there would be a slack tide, and a flood tide (headed into the bay, from right to left) at the end…to stay right at that point.  That being said, the rates of those tides would be the lowest they’ve “ever been.”  Ok, cool!</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">The start was the usual scrum of swimmers.  Somehow, I ended up in front and managed to hold my own until I found some clear water.  My line was pretty good, headed straight to the middle of the two giant beach ball buoys that they had marking the entrance to the bridge-bordered race course.  The dude with no limbs had a 5 minute head start on the group…we were all in awe.  I still maintain that the boys are mean, and as a girl, you have to learn to play their game at times.  I ended up doing my fair share of groping once I realized that they were going to do the same to me first. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">I made the left turn into the main race course and was in clear water.  I found a rhythm and marveled at the HUGENESS of the bridge piers as I swam.  I hugged the left side pretty well…didn’t really feel as if it was work to do so, either.  Then, all of a sudden…literally… all of a sudden, I was in the middle of the channel, then I was (it felt like) RIGHT UNDER the right hand span of the bridge.  Uh oh!  I had already swum a mile (around which time the first of the fast wave passed me like I was standing still), and wasn’t sure where I was in relation to the 2^{<span style="font-size:small;">nd</span>}</span> mile marker.  But, I could tell that this was NOT where I wanted to be.  I started with stronger and deeper pulls.  Nope.  Not working.  I started with changing my angle of attack…I pointed more and more to the left.  Nope.  Not making good progress.  I felt like I was swimming on a treadmill.  I started to think that I was seriously going to get yanked.  And I got scared.  So, I dialed it up a notch and found the “fartlek swimming” skills that my one coach had me do a few times and just busted it.  I was sprinting in order to get across that current.  It likely wasn’t all THAT strong, but since it was sudden, and I wasn’t prepared for it, I had to catch up to it rather than stay in front of it.  Then, I practically swam in to the first feed boat.  They were out of bananas.  And out of Gatorade.  So, I ended up with two Dixie cups of hot water.  Ok.  Well….off ya go!</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">From that point on, I worked to find a rhythm again, find a pace, and track in the middle of the channel until the end.  When I downloaded my Garmin info, I was surprised to see how straight I actually swam.  Garmin said that I swam 5.5 miles…and the race course is supposed to be 4.4….but….. who knows.  Between mile 3 and 4 I started to get weary of swimming.  Not tired, bored.  So, I counted strokes.  I made it to 475 before I lost count.  Then, I decided that singing 99 bottles of beer would be a good idea.  I got to 97 and lost count.  Then….Oh wait!  There’s the last giant orange ball on the water.  Yay. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">At that point, I started looking for the beach ball buoys that marked the exit from the bridges.  I could see more people now, too, so that helped.  Once I got out from under the bridges I remembered that in all the race reports people had said not to panic that the finish was SO FAR away.  It really isn’t, but it seems like it is.  I just kept swimmin’ and making sure that the kayaker was always to my right. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Little did I know that I was racing the weather. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">As I got out, and crossed the timing mat, I could hear the race director saying that “after this group, pull up the timing mat.”  I didn’t know what was going on, but didn’t figure that I was that close to the time cut-off.  Then, I heard someone say something about the weather.  I looked back…. Oh my!  GREY SKY.  Bad grey sky. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">I found my family, and Adam, and did all the requisite hugging, kissing, and getting of food and t-shirt bags.  Adam thought that Monica had finished and had taken a picture of someone (turns out it was some stranger).  So, he went to find her while we camped under a tree as it started to rain.  When he came back from her, I could tell that she was upset but was managing to hold it together.  My 7-yr old niece put it best, “what a rip-off!  They swam all that way and didn’t get to finish.”  Out of the mouths of babes.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Getting OUT of the finish venue was the most difficult part of the day.  Traffic was a mess.  Again, cell phone coordination had us at least knowing where to go.  So, we met up at a local mall and hit the California Pizza Kitchen.  Adam and Monica were great sports about having “Linner” with the kids.  The 14-yr old did her best to try to convince her parents that “going shopping” would be a good idea.  I think she thought she could con the Cohen’s into  helping her cause…too bad they have a 14-yr old niece too and knew the signs.  No go on that one.  It was a day where I was allowed to “eat anything I wanted”, so I did.  Dessert and all.  Yuuummm…. Then, back in the van for the trip home.  After a shower to rinse off the Bay, I crashed in bed early with the little girls. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">The next day, we made the walk to school (they aren’t out until this Friday), and then sis and I had a brunch and hung with a friend of hers just being “neighborhood moms.”  It was neat.  A quick drive to pick up from school and shuttle me back to the metro station and I headed home. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">My friend picked me up and when we got home, we found that she had a hitchhiker in her car door assembly area.  Yep… a black widow spider. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89133/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="spider.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17098" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17098/width/299/height/500" style="; width: 299px; height: 500px"></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Had that thing managed to crawl out onto me (the door was my side) while we were driving, I’m sure that Swimmerbee would have heard the yelling all the way out in CA!  As it was, we took her picture, then sprayed her with bug spray. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">I got in the house to find that the secret surprise fairy had visited. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;"><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/89135/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="surprise.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="17099" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/17099/width/299/height/500" style="; width: 299px; height: 500px"></a></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">What a great set of friends I have.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">My coaches who were willing to give me individual workouts separate from the group.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Rabbit, who kayaked with me for my one and only OWS swim practice, and didn’t hold it against me when I accidentally ran over her with the kayak.  She also changed my lightbulbs on my porch and made a welcome home sign for me.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Ad/MoCo for driving a detour to pick me up.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">My colleague who drove me to the train station… and who made her son’s YEAR by letting him go up to the platform to watch the freight trains. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">All of you who who support all of us and each other through our various injuries and successes. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Just fabulous!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">More pictures coming later, once I can get them off the camera and uploaded.</span></span></p>