Lake Berryessa Swim

^{PLACE & TIME:} 

Troy 8th  - 1:07:26**; Robin 12th - 35:18

Previous PRs or Personal Records:

      Troy - 47:22**, '03

I'm looking forward to the Berryessa Swim because it's usually warm and sunny along the lake beach and you only have to do 1 swim and then kick back and eat and enjoy the day and watch swimming.

It's a winding drive up to the lake out of Davis.  Robin used to take her Davis HS X-C runners up here for some hill training.  When she took up swimming she came up here for some swim events as well.

We show up and the water level is really low.  More islands are now showing.  The swim courses are changed due to the new water map.  Also a cool wind is blowing hard.  We pick a spot and Rich Alesci happens to be right behind us.  He's doing his first 2 mile swim.  A good swimmer, but opting for the wetsuit category just to get experience for triathlons in which almost everyone wears wetsuits.  At these swim events, wetsuits are rare.

Rich and I, and Rick, from my Rocklin Aquatics Masters (RAMS) team, gather at the starting line.  I pick a dip in the mountains above the main turn buoy to use as a guide.  The wind is making chop which blocks your view of the buoys.

Go!  I know I'm very unprepared for this 2 mi distance so I take it easy.  I don't see Rich and Rick.  Quite a few take off ahead and unlike previous years, I don't even try to get on their feet.  I site off the mountains for a while but it's not working because I keep forgetting which "dip" I'm supposed to swim towards.  Turns out that there are yellow balloons attached to the buoys so it's actually easy to sight.

It seems like we swim forever before we get to the first turn.  Now the wind is behind us and I can feel the swells pushing me at times which is nice.  I'm passing some of the earlier non-wetsuit waves.  It's choppy and hard to see or hear anything.  Sometimes I think another swimmer may be in trouble and I lift my head to see them but they're ok.  It's just the rolling and the wind that makes everything seem a little chaotic.

Sometimes I think maybe I'm in the lead group.  I know I'm pretty slow this time but it's nice I still have a lot of optimism at times.

We round the 3rd of 4 buoys.  It's blowing at our side again.  My hands are tired from pulling.  My fingers are tingly.  And I'm cold.  Even with a wetsuit, I feel the chilly water going down my back.  It makes my stroke shorter and less smooth.  I can't wait to get done.

Finally, after what seems like a tour of the entire lake, we make the final turn and head back to shore.  I try to push a little harder.  Also hoping to generate some heat.  I haven't made much of an effort to draft behind anyone.  I finally can see the people ready to help us out of the water.  Then I feel the rocky bottom.  My foot is so stiff it's hard to stand up.  Other are running for the timing mat but it's all I can do to limp through the chute.  I'm glad to be done and lie down in the sun in my wetsuit to get warm.

The course WAS long.  But I was also pretty slow.  Rich was the FIRST one!  And well rested by the time he cheered me out of the water.  It was a good workout and beneficial in more ways than one.  Now it's Robin's turn to do the 1 mile non-wetsuit swim.

Thanks, God, for the fun we had, the friends we saw, and the strong bodies.

I'm excited to swim but a little unsure because of the water temperature.  I avoid getting in early because I don't want to be too cool.  While waiting onshore I run into a friend from the pool.  Molly is amazing!  She's a mother of three kids and is deaf.  She has a great attitude and is excited to do her first open water swim.  It's so brave of her to go for it...I admire her spirit and attitude!  I see that there are a few other pregnant ladies swimming out there today.  It's great to see that!

My swim is now just a few minutes away so I can no longer put off going into the water.  I get in and get a big shock.  Wow, it's cold!  If only I could fit into my wetsuit...I try not to focus on that and just focus on the swim ahead.  It's just a mile...a half hour or so...I can handle it.  I seed myself in the very back of my heat.  I want to keep other folk's feet and hands away from the baby. 

Ready, set, go!  I'm pretty darn cold but I focus on getting a good rhythm.  I don't plan on a PR today but just want to swim steady and with good form.  Going out, I find myself in a good groove.  I'm trying to reach long with each stroke and pull all the way through.  I'm in a great position in the back of the pack and still have some girls around me to focus on and to keep me company.  As we reach the first buoy, I take the turn wide and avoid running into anyone.

On this next stretch the cold is starting to get to me.  My toes are numb and it's getting harder to keep my form solid.  Yet, I continue to feel good overall.  In the back of my mind I think about the racers coming from other waves behind me.  I feel like I'm in a good spot and should be out of their way.  I take a look back a see a pack coming up on me quick.  I'm not sure which way to go and sort of freeze in this position.  Suddenly I feel a slap on the back of my head and feel the current of the swimmers.  I yell out "hey" to the pack of guys but they don't hear me and race one. 

The baby is fine but I find myself getting emotional.  I know it's because I'm shaken up and because the cold isn't helping me to think rationally.  The tears start filling up my goggles and I slow way down.  I call out to God and ask for His help.  "Please Lord protect me and the baby...please comfort me and give me peace...please help me get to that finish line".  I feel more at peace and the tears stop.  I'm focused on getting to the finish and I'm looking forward to rounding that last buoy.  I continue to swim at a slower pace as the cold continues to affect me.  I'm definitely further to the left of the swimmers and feel safer. 

I finally round that last buoy and can see the balloon finish line in the distance.  It's almost over now.  As I continue along, it seems like the finish line isn't any closer.  I'm thinking about being in a warm towel with Troy's arms around me.  I just want to be warm and on land.  I keep going to God and asking Him to keep me focused.  My form still is lacking and the cold continues to challenge me mentally.

Finally, the finish line is near and push to get to the shore.  I stumble out of the water and the volunteers are there to steady me.  I run up the ramp and Troy is there with a towel.  I throw my arms around him and have a good cry.  I have nothing to be sad about but the emotion just flows out.  I'm warm and in Troy's arms...Thank you God for this moment!  I settle down and all is good.  Here comes Anna with Rich.  She's having fun and it makes me smile.  I'm glad I did this race despite some of the hard parts.  It was a good day!

Rich Finishing

Rick Finishing

Fun!