Swim Angel

I experienced my most favorite triathlon volunteer job at today's Naylor's Beach Olympic.

It started with needing some open water practice. Not so much for the distance - just time in the water wearing my wetsuit again. Ironwoman Canada suggested swimming the Naylor's course after the racers finished.

Then I heard TRIgirl DJ was doing Naylor's and was a little nervous. Now, she has absolutely no reason to be nervous - her swimming has just gotten better and better over the last few months. To her Guppy and TRIgirl friends - she looks strong and graceful in the pool.

Open water can be scary though - and while I am far from fast in the water - I am comfortable.

And that is when the thought hit me. We could swim together!

I checked with the race director, who said that would work - that I would be what some races call - a "swim angel."

This morning started early - meeting TRIgirls JR and DJ and the Shady Grove Y - then a hop over to the Wal-Mart parking lot to pick up TRIgirl TP. We drove as the first drizzle of the morning misted the windsheild.

The pre-race transition area seemed calm - though I am guessing that was just a personal advantage of not racing! We ran into more TRIgirls as we pulled on our wetsuits and headed down to the water. A very sweet person came over and introduced herself as a reader of my blog (thank you for the wonderful compliments and kind words!).

No fog this year - the water looked calm, though a fellow Guppy mentioned that there was a decent current (thankfully in the direction we would be swimming down the long straight stretch parallel to the coast). We entered the chilly water and, a few minutes later, our wave took off.

Prior to starting the swim, TRIgirl DJ and I discussed strategy. I would stay to her left side. We swam a bit and then stopped for a few moments to let TRIgirl DJ's nerves settle down. She spent a little time using her "go to" stroke - and we took a few breaks to breathe. I was worried I might be making her more anxious, but, by the second buoy, she found her groove. I'd pop up every few strokes to find her moving smoothly through the water. The rest of the swim, I just focused on trying to keep us on course. We passed a bunch of people at the second turn - and a few other swimmers fell in behind TRIgirl DJ - during the hardest part of the swim - where you had to battle the current to stay on track.

With the swim finish in sight, we stood up and started walking/jogging. TRIgirl DJ even jumped back down to swim the last few yards - and I was so happy for her. She exited the swim, with a big smile on her face - that stayed there the rest of the race until she crossed the finish line to her very proud family.

Congrats to all who raced today - the first time Olympic racers, those who PR'd and those who earned hardware (go, TRIgirl JR!).

And especially TRIgirl DJ - for taking a big step in overcoming the fear of open water!

Naylor's Glamour Shots

Ah, the Brightroom email arrived today with the link to my pictures from Naylor's.

Bike photo 1 - little blurry.
Bike photo 2 - not bad.
Bike photo 3 - similar to the previous.
Run photo 1 - that isn't me.
Run photo 2 - must be another mix-up.
Run photo 3 - well that one, that one looks like me.

Seriously, I looked at run photos 1 and 2 for a few minutes trying to figure out which other TRIgirl was pictured. I actually saved them to my desktop, opened PhotoShop, zoomed in - and still a bit incredulous, realized they were me.

I am not trying to be self-deprecating. These photos are like Glamour Shots of the triathlon world, where everything works out perfectly. The lighting, the shadows, the angles, the moment in time.

Here is photo 3 - the way I am used to seeing myself for race running photos.




















And here are my Glamour Shots. Maybe if I only save these, I'll forget in a few years that they weren't quite reality.

The Decision

The coaches pretty much agreed either Mightyman or Naylor's would work with the IMFL training schedule. But I've decided to stick with Naylor's this year, mostly because it will be cheaper for both the registration and travel fees.

And as Ironwoman Canada told me this morning - it will be great speed work for me.

An Olympic distance race as speed work? Naylor's, no less, with its rip tide swim, challenging bike and demoralizing run course? I just shook my head.

Next year - though - I am in for Mightyman - and have already heard that several TRIgirls may be joining me!

So Tempting!

I was just paging through the Triathlon Life magazine that arrived the other day and I what did I find?

Mightyman!

A Half-Ironman back "home" and through the beautiful, picturesque Montauk.

Close to family and friends who I could either try to tempt to race with me or who may travel just a couple of hours to be cheerleaders.

Problem 1 - Naylor's Beach is on my calendar for that day. I was actually looking forward to doing Naylor's again - between hoping for some improvements, the new September date and racing with other TRIgirls. I haven't registered yet, so depending on Problems 2 and 3...

Problem 2 - I'm doing the Patriot Half three weeks earlier. Will I have recovered enough? Then again, we are not tapering for the Patriot in preparation for IMFL - so I doubt I'll be resting much after.

Problem 3 - Which race would be better for IMFL training - an Olympic or another half???

Problem 4 - If I do Mightyman, there won't be an Olympic distance race on my calendar. Therefore, no fourth TRIgirl pint glass to add to my collection.

The decision rests in the hands of my coaches - based upon their recommendation of which would be better for IMFL training.

If not this year, Mightyman (and maybe some other LI Event Power races) WILL be on next year's schedule! And you betcha I'll be trying to convince my triathlon friends to join me!