Naples Island Swim - Swim


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Long Beach, California
United States
60F / 16C
Overcast
Total Time = 36m 26s
Overall Rank = 37/93
Age Group = M40-44
Age Group Rank = 3/7
Pre-race routine:

This event reminded me that I just love to race. On July 1, following 5 weeks of breathing problems that the docs couldn't diagnose, I was admitted to the hospital with multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). In the hospital for about 4 days, then again for two days a week later. Put on blood thinners. Had some lung infarction. Needless to say, my season -- which was to include the Alcatraz Challenge, Santa Barbara Long Course, and SOS was toast. Canceled and/or deferred all my races.

Couple weeks out of the hospital I started swimming again, slowly, at masters. Made my way back to 3,000 yard workouts, but I was well out of shape. Not only missing several weeks, just the lung damage and capacity.

I saw that they were having this race again, so I asked my wife what she thought. She said if I could just go easy and enjoy the event. So I signed up. I was excited to be back in the game, or sort of. I did one mile open water swim prior to this, so I didn't specifically train for it or have a time in mind.

Wendy ended up coming with me and sitting on the beach. Afterwards I asked her if she had come just to make sure I went easy. She copped to it.
Event warmup:

It's a no wetsuit race, so really, just getting into the 63 degree water. Shocking at first, but I didn't get cold after the initial dunk
Swim
  • 36m 26s
  • 2200 yards
  • 01m 40s / 100 yards
Comments:

There were only about 100 people, so it wasn't a dirty mass start. I was a little worried about getting in the scrum, as theoretically I can bruise easily on blood thinners, and a good blow to the head might be worse than normal (I say theoretically cuz I've whacked my knees pretty hard on our chairs a few times, bad enough that I had to sit down... no bruising).

So I started sort of outside and just jogged into the water. I was enjoying the swim, going easy, but then got my race face on :) Or tried to. I was hanging with a group for a little while, but suddenly they took off and they were absolutely gone. About the left turn into the canal I ended up with the group I was to stay with for the most part. The canal was fairly wide, but I was hugging the left side, and trying not to get pushed into the boats at their moorings (again, didn't want to hit my hand on a boat).

Tried not to swallow any of the water. Was only marginally successful. It wasn't disgusting, but it wasn't exactly clear either. A few times I turned my head to breath and got an absolute mouthful. Spent the rest of the swim trying to breathe through pursed lips.

I had thought I counted the bridges, and was happy to see the last one, only to see another up ahead. Soon enough we were at the concrete wall, turn right, then a left into the bay. I had gotten some advice to sight off the palm trees rather than try to find the finish. The group I was with picked it up and I just couldn't hang. That last few hundred yards took forever, and I was ready to be done (longest continuous swim since probably before Wildflower in May).

Exited the water, saw my time and to be honest was a bit disappointed for a 1.25 mile swim. Yes, this was just to enjoy it and get back it there, but it's a race, dammit.... It's pretty low key, so they give you a popsicle stick with your overall, I was pretty happy with that, then you check in at a table where they list you by AG, and I was told I was third, and they handed me a medal. OK, not so disappointed any more :)

I don't medal at many (most all) races, and ESPECIALLY not swim races where real swimmers tend to show up. So to medal here, as my first race back was especially sweet. I put it on, then sort of took it off as I tend not to crow about those things, then changed my mind and wore it all the way home :)
What would you do differently?:

Nothing.
Post race
Event comments:

This is a fun little local race, and a good challenge. There is a longer 2.75 mile option all the way around Naples Island. Maybe next year, but that's a long time to be in 63 water with no wetsuit.




Last updated: 2009-08-23 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:26 | 2200 yards | 01m 40s / 100yards
Age Group: 3/7
Overall: 37/93
Performance: Good
Suit: None
Course: Swim around Treasure Island through Rivo Alto Canal
Start type: Run Plus:
Water temp: 63F / 17C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Good
Rounding:
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]