The first 7 minutes
Meet Rick. Everyone say, “Hi Rick!”
Rick is my Open Water training buddy for the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim on July 28th. I met him through my last year’s training buddy, Shari, who moved out of state. It was thoughtful of her to replace herself, since excitement/misery loves company.
I met Rick a few months ago at a restaurant and we chatted about the race we were both signed up for, Alcatraz Sharkfest 2012. He admitted that he was not going to like the acclimatization process (getting our bodies used to the cold water).This is his first year doing this race. I recommended starting about two and a half months before the race with just 5 minutes, then adding 5 minutes weekly. I wasn’t sure if we were going to try to get to the water together or just check in via email. A few weeks later an email came from Rick: “Anytime you go to the water, I’m there.” I whispered to myself, “Awesome!”
May 10th was our first time in open water. The first few times were at Lake Washington where the water was cold but manageable. Then just the other day we switched to the Sound. WOW! It is so much colder! The first 7 minutes is just well…suffering or torture, take your pick. Think Ice Cream head-ache all over your body, making it hard to catch your breath for 7 minutes until you go numb. The first time we were both loudly complaining. Just yesterday Rick went silent on me and I was complaining by myself. So after a few good complaints I went quiet too. We pushed through until the first buoy; after a painful 7 minutes, the numbness set in and we were fine. We swam the rest of our 20 minutes without much trouble.
Later we were talking about the first 7 minutes and Rick said, “Today they just made me angry.” I like training as much as the race. I always learn so much about myself and my training buddies. Last year our cold water training was harder than what we hit in San Francisco Bay by at least 8-10 degrees. We were very ready. I hope those words are comforting to Rick as we make our way to the start line of this race.
I am relieved to have a training buddy who is ready and willing to put in the first 7 minutes with me and swim the remaining time. It will get interesting as we add time. Yesterday I could feel the lack of response of my hands in the final few minutes, and I said to myself, “Oh yeah, I remember this…”
Who helps you accomplish your goals?
Who helps me accomplish my goals (or GOAL in this case)? I would have to say honestly you, Linda, are at the top and from there, every single member of our WW group helps in some way and I could NOT do it without you. I have told you that before. The best thing I have accomplished, aside from raising my son who I admire so much, would be the weight loss. I am still at the same meeting all of these years later because of you and your support. I guess weight loss was and continues to be my “Shark Fest”.
Oh Linda,
Jamie could NOT have said it better above me……
Always there and willing to give a pep talk or encouragment…is Linda.
Love your forever fan…
Thanks for stoping by and touching in, Jamie and Jeanne… We are all in this together!
That would be my husband Bud. All I have to do is tell him about something I want to accomplish and he is there to make me get it done. He is almost a pest sometime, cause I get lazy alot and want to just bag it till tomorrow. He pushes me when I can’t push myself.
“Hi Rick!”
My new jump-starter is my friend Beverly. She got me to sign up for my first race as a RUNNER because we’re training for it together. Walking and running when the weather cooperates, dancing and laughing when it doesn’t– so far, so good!
Hi Rick and Linda! I’m so proud of you both for doing this and am glad you have each other. Training buddies are essential, especially when it comes to cold water training (ouch — your stories bring back painful but triumphant memories). I miss that I cannot experience this with you again this year, but perhaps in the near future.
I’ve found a circle of open-water swimmers in my new neighborhood. We’re training for Chicago’s “Big Shoulders” 2.5/5k swim race in Lake Michigan. Not as cool (literally) as the Sharkfest in the Bay, but a worthy undertaking, nonetheless. My Big Shoulders training buddy and I have our first open-water training session together tomorrow.
I am following your success online and cheering you on! Keep posting!
~ Shari