Too "poor" this summer to enter a sprint triathlon (which can cost $50-$70), I settled for an open water swim in Everett's Silver Lake on Friday, July 9 at 7 p.m. There were three distances: .25, .5 and 1 mile. I had registered for the .25 mile, because I wasn't sure what the water temperature would be, and, while I have a wetsuit, it is a cheap one, okay for practice, but not suitable for "competition." Turns out, though, we had temperatures in the 90's for a few days prior, and the water on the surface was actually warm! I could have changed my distance, but decided to stick with the short one, because I was feeling a little worn out, having had to drive to Sea-Tac airport and back that day. (Still had fun, but it would be nice to have had a little more energy.)
Pre-race meeting:
Wading in for the start: Pink caps are the 1/2-milers; yellow the 1/4-milers (just four of us). (One milers are in the distance already starting for the first buoy.) I'm in the center (turquoise top and black shorts--my triathlon suit, with swim suit underneath for extra insulation; probably wasn't needed).
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And we're off! In the distance, that tiny pink blob is the first buoy. Pretty easy to spot, except that in the water, it was a little dark--the sun having gone behind some clouds, and the goggles I was wearing, unfortunately, were tinted. (Next time I'd bring some clear goggles.)
Closer shot...two girls in kayaks (on left) keeping an eye on us. The half-milers would round this first buoy, swim to a second one, and then back to the beach. Quarter-milers--just around the buoy and back....
On the way back to the beach--I'm the second "yellow cap" trying very hard to catch up to the one in front of me.
And we're off! In the distance, that tiny pink blob is the first buoy. Pretty easy to spot, except that in the water, it was a little dark--the sun having gone behind some clouds, and the goggles I was wearing, unfortunately, were tinted. (Next time I'd bring some clear goggles.)
Closer shot...two girls in kayaks (on left) keeping an eye on us. The half-milers would round this first buoy, swim to a second one, and then back to the beach. Quarter-milers--just around the buoy and back....
On the way back to the beach--I'm the second "yellow cap" trying very hard to catch up to the one in front of me.
Here I come!
I stand up and look, and there are two "yellow caps" on the beach already. Third place.... Turns out, that the gal I'd been chasing, finished 8 seconds ahead of me.
Checking my watch. Next time I won't bother. When I tried to stop the timer, I didn't push hard enough, and it kept going. So I had to ask one of the race directors for my time. Results (click here): http://finishstrongevents.com/wdp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Final_results_Open_Water_Swim_July_9_2010_-_2.pdf
Would love to do the last swim at Silver Lake on September 3, but I think I'm going to pass...haven't gotten that much swimming in lately, and also there's the cost involved. Maybe next summer, though!
I stand up and look, and there are two "yellow caps" on the beach already. Third place.... Turns out, that the gal I'd been chasing, finished 8 seconds ahead of me.
Checking my watch. Next time I won't bother. When I tried to stop the timer, I didn't push hard enough, and it kept going. So I had to ask one of the race directors for my time. Results (click here): http://finishstrongevents.com/wdp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Final_results_Open_Water_Swim_July_9_2010_-_2.pdf
Would love to do the last swim at Silver Lake on September 3, but I think I'm going to pass...haven't gotten that much swimming in lately, and also there's the cost involved. Maybe next summer, though!
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