[theia]

<p>A few months ago I posted a new thread asking for advice on conquering my fear of open water swimming.  The fear was new this year, and it pissed me off, frankly.</p>
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<p>Well, I just wanted to share that I had a major breakthrough this weekend.   I'd been afraid in <span id="user_lw_1291044919_3">open water</span> since I was caught in a rip current last November in OBX.  All my tris this summer were a struggle, and I didn't realize it until a big <span id="user_lw_1291044919_4">panic attack</span> in my last race.  (All summer I thought my heart was racing in my swims b/c I was swimming faster; no, it was racing b/c I was having <span id="user_lw_1291044919_5">anxiety attacks</span>!)</p>
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<p><span style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Well, <span id="user_lw_1291044919_6">on Saturday</span> I realized I'm looking at it all wrong.  Instead of looking at my experience as proof of how scary the water is or how incapable I would be if something happened, I should realize how strong I am.  I was caught in a nasty, horrid rip current the day before a hurricane hit.  I had already run a <span id="user_lw_1291044919_7">half marathon that morning</span>, I hadn't eaten or hydrated properly afterward, I was cold and dehydrated, I was exhausted, and I GOT OUT OF IT.  It took me nearly 45 minutes, but I did it. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Now I can't wait for the 2011 tri season! </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">The mind is a wondrous thing, my friends. </span></span></p>
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[MBannon]

<p>Well that was easy!  </p>
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<p>And yes, you are tough and should be proud.  Just in case you had any shred of lingering doubt.</p>

 

[gobi]

<p>Theia - that is fabulous, if I can just find the same thing myself then maybe my 2011 will not be a watery disaster.</p>
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<p>As things stand right now I have pretty much given up triathlon again and gone back to ultra distance running with the occasional duathlon thrown in.</p>
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<p>I have however committed to the Alpe d'Huez triathlon :¬0</p>

 

[LookiLoo]

<p>Wow, that must have been terrifying, and yes, you're definitely strong for have gotten out of it.  Water is a strange thing - for the most part I LOVE being suspended in the middle of a huge body of water, but every once in a while I get the heeby jeebies thinking about just how vulnerable I am out there.  But mentally, I have come to a place where I just tell myself to be 'one with the water' (very cheesy, yes <span><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span> ) .  Good for you for getting over that mental hump!!!</p>

 

[theia]

<p><br><span>Quote:</span></p>
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>LookiLoo</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71403/i-had-a-breakthrough-re-fear-of-open-water-swimming#post_1965794"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>every once in a while I get the heeby jeebies thinking about just how vulnerable I am out there. </p>
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<p>That's exactly it! </p>

 

[RandMart]

<p> </p>
<p><span>Quote:</span></p>
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>LookiLoo</strong> <a href="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/thread/71403/i-had-a-breakthrough-re-fear-of-open-water-swimming#post_1965794"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>every once in a while I get the heeby jeebies thinking about just how vulnerable I am out there. </p>
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<p>Yeah, even experienced surfers have their "Oh, f*ck; what do I do here???" moments; but as you can see, I've figured it out every time [and I'm not exactly the <em>brightest</em> pebble on the beach]. On that day in OBX, YOU did, too, and we're all VERY glad for that.</p>
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<p>I'm glad you reconcilled with Mother Ocean, <strong>Alexis</strong>. She's a great girl, although she <em>can be</em> a little bitchy sometimes. Just give her respect and she'll gladly let you play with her.</p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>So, what you're saying is that my manta should not be "just don't drown".</p>

 

[theia]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>mrscoby78</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71403/i-had-a-breakthrough-re-fear-of-open-water-swimming#post_1966749"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>So, what you're saying is that my manta should not be "just don't drown".</p>
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<br><br><p> LOL!  That's probably not the most positive of thinking....  </p>

 

[Heather H]

<p>wow! the power of a positive mental attitude! It's very interesting how we can convince ourselves something is scary or convince ourselves it's not. All my fears are bike related and it amazes me how well I can do some days and how badly I do other days, and I know it's all mental.</p>