I had another terrible experience in the water at the Benbrook Lake Sprint Triathlon. Today was my 2nd race experience in the open water. What a disaster. I'm swimming, it's hard, I'm out of breathe wondering why the heck I do triathlons. I started back tri training Jan 7th 2012 and have invested hours in the pool, joined a Master's Swim team briefly, rear tutorials, studied drills, and even hired the best tri swim coach in Fort Worth to help me improve. And improve I have, I went from swimming 1-2 lengths (25-50y) and was gasping for breath. Now I can swim 300-400y straight in the pool and feel much more relaxed in the water.
While swimming at the race I had thoughts racing in to my head:
- Why am I doing this again?
- This is the LAST time I do a triathlon!!!
- I hate this and want to quit....no Ironman or Half Ironman....and I DON'T CARE!
- Am I going to make it?
- Is that guy going to run me over and drown me
- I'm so disappointed that this is so hard
- When is this going to "click"?
I want to get my thoughts and feelings down. The swim is the first part of a race and is the shortest time, so the memory of the pain and disappointment fades quick as I passed 25 people on the bike today and 15 on the run.
