This race has become an annual tradition for me. VOWSA (the Vancouver Open Water Swim Association) always does a great job. The event runs smoothly, starts on time, and … there’s food and coffee! Plus, it’s at Sasamat Lake, one of my favorite places to swim.
This year, however, I approached it with a bit of trepidation. I’d signed up for the 4K event as a training swim for Ironman, which seemed like a good idea at the time (as these things tend to do). Then, about six weeks ago, a calcium deposit appeared suddenly in my shoulder, and I went from great to zero in terms of swim training. Luckily, the issue resolved itself with one session of shock wave therapy, but I had to take it easy for a few weeks afterwards and could not put in the training I’d hoped for this race.
And then I decided to move. On June 30th. The day before the event. (Not recommended). So, I woke up on Canada Day feeling a little beat up and not especially excited about getting into the water to swim a distance I wasn’t ready for. The longest open water swim I’d done before this one was 3200m. But I’d put in several 3K training swims in the pool and my coach felt that if I approached the Canada Day swim as a training day and kept it relaxed, it would be fine.
She was right (she’s always right).
It’s nice when you can build off previous experience for these things. I knew from swims I’d done in the past that it’s important (for me, anyway) to start slowly. So many people burst out of the start only to run out of gas in the second lap. It’s not easy to restrain yourself when everyone around you is making a mad dash, but it always pays off in the long run.
I’ve also learned that the worst thing you can do is think about how far you have to go. I mean, that’s a rule that applies to all long-distance sports. Do Not Think About It. There’s no point. You’re doing it regardless, so why make it harder than it already is? Be in the moment. And for me, the moment in swimming means focussing on technique. Good technique will automatically make you faster. In open water, being in the moment also means sighting efficiently (because why swim farther than you have to—and in the wrong direction?). And in open water racing, it means finding someone to draft off.
I managed to kill a lot of time doing the latter—and in the process, making the swim easier for myself. Drafting is easy. Finding the right person to draft off is hard. Optimally, they need to be just a tiny bit faster than you are so that they force you to work a little harder—but because you’re in their draft, you’re actually not working that hard. Drafting in a swim race is key—and it’s legal (unlike on the bike in a triathlon, where drafting gets you a penalty). If you’re not doing it in the water, you’re putting in too much effort for not enough reward.
I never really found the perfect person in this race. They were either a little too slow or a little too fast. But in the meantime, I entertained myself and had an easier swim. Hopefully I provided the same service to whoever was hanging out behind me.
I also can’t say enough about having a good wetsuit. Not just one that fits properly—although yes, that, because if it doesn’t, it can impact shoulder mobility and even restrict your breathing. But also one that is made well. I lucked into a very nice wetsuit thanks to a friend who bought it online in a sale and then couldn’t return it when she discovered it didn’t fit. It’s extra buoyant in the hips and legs but super thin in the arms and shoulders—which is exactly what you need in open water.
I made sure to grab some new goggles before this race after mine had leaked in Squamish. Finding a tried and true brand for yourself is also important. I had to endure a series of leaky ones before I found the goggles that work for my face. Even so, I end up with raccoon eyes for the rest of the day, but at least I’m comfortable while I’m swimming.
Two lessons I took away from the day:
· Neck chafe. Ouch. I need to figure this out. It’s the second time now that it has happened and it’s preventable.
· Adequate post-race fuelling. I didn’t eat enough afterwards and had to grab an emergency chocolate bar when I was out later in the afternoon. I know, that sounds made up, but it was real—and I should know better. At this stage of training, I’m always an inch away from bonking, and that’s dumb. This is also preventable, and I need to get on top of it.
All in all, it was a terrific day, a successful race, and a good confidence-booster for what lies ahead.
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