[Yo Sake]

<p>This was a 5k open-water swim through the Hiland Chain of Lakes (through 5 lakes) near Hell, MI, finishing at Moon Lake.  I received some good help on Sat from a new friend about breathing and all I wanted out of this race is to practice the easy breathing in a race condition.  Just like tri races, there were some pushing kicking at the beginning where we swam around three buoys, but after that was wide open, pretty straight way to the Moon.  Based on my only other 5K swim back in 2004 in Detroit river (some sections against current), 2:20 something (wetsuits), I was fully prepared for 2hrs+ swim.  I drafted off some feet (loved them!) time to time and swam very easy and comfortably.  When I looked my watch once, it said 1;07 something and I thought at least half way done.  My back started getting sore and did some cat stretch here and there.  Then before I knew it, I saw some crowd at the beach.  Am I done already?  Then saw an finish arch.  Wow, I am done.  Then started sprinting.  Boy, it felt great to have plenty of energy left to kick it at the end.  Without any puky, icky feeling, I could eat post-race foods and chat away with the teammates for another few hours waiting for the awards and cheered other swimmers.  1:41:52, 7th out of 11 in my AG.  I know I could swim at least 5sec/100 faster for the whole distance but I stuck with my goal for this race and very happy about how it went.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My next goal is learn how to swim faster (as I know how) while maintaining a nice and easy breathing.  Sacrifing a few minutes or even several minutes on the swim, if that would allow me to ride and run harder w/o dealing with the puky issue, it is definately worth it.  Got to persuade my ego to suck it up, though. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=14312899&id=861725135&ref=fbx_album&fbid=10150232169450136" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=14312899&id=861725135&ref=fbx_album&fbid=10150232169450136</a></p>

 

[mrscoby78]

<p>5k swim?!?!?  *shudder*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's incredible!  So pleased your working out the tummy problems </p>

 

[MBannon]

<p>Wow, great job Yoshi!!!  Damn that's a long swim.</p>

 

[Captain]

<p>Great job Yo.  That looked like a fun and different kind of race and if it was anything like Waterloo, I am sure it was awesome.  Did you stop at the aid station?  Was it well marked, in terms of buoys and landmarks?  Did the majority wear wetsuits?   If I lived a tad closer, I would have been there.  That is a great time.  Congratulations.</p>

 

[kburnell]

<p>Awesome to hear that you were able to finish without experiencing any of the issues you have been dealing with lately. Congratulations!</p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Captain - It was Awesome!  Yes it was well marked and I enjoyed one-way swim as supposed to a loop.  There were supposed to be 3 aid stations and I saw only 2 - no I didn't stop.  I would say majority didn't stop.  I saw only handful with wetsuits - lots of *real swimmers* show up for these OWS races and they don't wear them.  Seem to be "wetsuits = triathletes (unless it is cold)" in this kind of race. Water was around 80 and team competition didn't allow wetsuits.  I talked to a few friends who did Battle of Waterloo.  That will be on my list to do next year!</p>

 

[Stitcher]

<p>Yosh!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Woo hoo!</p>
<p>That's great.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Getting over your pukey gut is a big hurdle to clear.  Now, you know you can do it.  And, I think you're right, giving up a few seconds or minutes on the swim so that you're not hurling in public is totally worth it.  Because, if you yak up your breakfast, those calories don't do you any good!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Congrats on the swim.  80 degree water is NICE for that long of a swim, I bet you were comfortable. </p>

 

[MBannon]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Yo Sake</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/69643/swim-to-the-moon-5k-ows-rr#post_1937147"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>There were supposed to be 3 aid stations</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
Huh.  How does that work?  A bunch of gels and water bottles on an air mattress???</p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Matt, one was on a pontoon boat in the middle of the lake and the other one was I think on a boat dock off somebody's house.  I think they had water, sports drink and some gels.  Speaking of a boat dock, I am not sure how they controlled or completely banned (?) watercraft traffic during the race.  I didn't see one moving thing, other than support kayaks.</p>

 

[cak73]

<p>Yoshi, sounds like a fun swim!  Nice pace.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Awesome that you were able to avoid that puky feeling!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pictures?</p>

 

[LookiLoo]

<p>Nice job!!! I have really enjoyed the open water races that I have done this summer (and have another next Sunday!) and hope to do a 5k swim next year.  Something enjoyable about doing the swim and not worrying about getting on my bike afterwards <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title="">   Looks like you had a strong day out there!</p>

 

[vtgirl]

<p>Holy cow! If I ever learn to swim, a 5K might just get onto my bucket list of events to try.  Great job!</p>

 

[Callalily]

<p>Very impressive! I can't imagine a 5K swim!!!!</p>