I haven't posted in a while!Anyway, since my last entry regarding the thrill of wanting to compete in a sprint tri, I've actually psuedo trained. The big eye-opener for me was when I did my first open water swim with a beginner group. It made me realize that I need a pre-beginner group. The swell was quite large that day, and I was already nervous, so I did what was natural in this panic-inducing situation - I hyperventilated and had negative thoughts of drowning! I freaked out badly. On my first attempt, I got past the breakers but then when all the swimmers started swimming, leaving me pathetically trying to tread water and not suck in anymore salt water. I was exhausted and disheartened, so I tried to let the waves edge me back to shore - though I think I might have been in some kind of tiny rip tide action because it was taking forever.
When the group was done with their first round, they came out of the waters beaming with pride and exhillaration. They encouraged me that what I did is pretty much what all first timers go through, and that I must do it again! So I did. One of the guys was must have pitied me and he coached me past the breaks, because I really just wanted to give up with the biggish waves. I was still hyperventilating and swallowing good amounts of salt water. But I made it and this time the group leader stayed behind with me and got me sort of swimming. At first, it felt like I just forgot how to swim. I couldn't exhale with my face in the water, and my strokes just felt odd and unnatural. I somehow managed to make it 50 yards shy of the end of the length, but I gave up when I saw the group leader no longer nearby. I got to shore after one big wave crashed on my head - still hyperventilating. I was dizzy for the next 1/2 hour.
Thank god for the support from beginnertriathlete.com. I posted my experience on the forum and it turns out that it's not too uncommon to hyperventilate and maybe to panic a bit at first. Also, I found out about another group swim in a bay, where there are no waves! So, I am giving it another shot today. Hopefully I have a much more pleasant story to tell!
