Great Chesapeake Bay Swim - SwimOther

Great race. Had some pre-race nerves but was feeling good. Had a perfect line from beach past last rock to bouys marking spot where we enter the spans. Took it easy in the chaotic start. Space didn't open up until nearly a mile into the race. Pre-race currents said east side currents would be moderate but miles 3 & 4 would be harder so I decided to shoot down the center of the spans. Worked well since most everyone else seemed to decide to stay close to a span. Got into a groove and made great time. Wasn't sure what to expect in terms of chop and current but hit some swells and heavier chop once i reached the shipping lane. Wasn't too bad, just had to adjust. Missed 1st and 2nd mile markers as well as the 1st boat but felt too good to stop anyway. Knew exactly when I hit the 2nd lane as the current seemed to pick up and had to angle a bit up the bay. Started wondering when the 2nd wave would catch up and it was around this time.... they were fast. Missed 2nd boat and finally saw the 3 mile marker. I realized at this point I would at least make my goal unless I bonked. I wasn't flying through the water but I was handling the current and chop ok. Started getting more crowded at this point and was in a pack until the end. And that's one long last mile. You see the end of the bridges but it seems you never get there. I tried counting down the number of bridge supports (they're numbered) but they'd go down then jump back up for a while. Someone was has a sick sense of humor.

Got to the end of the bridge and hit some squirrelly chop. Made a final effort on the last 0.4 miles. Didn't have much in the arms left but tried to make sure form was reasonable. Seemed like another eternity but made it until my hands hit sand, stood up and jogged to the mats. Looked at the timer and couldn't believe I was almost 15minutes quicker than expected.

Not much. Even a fool like me couldn't help but draft. Sighting was a breeze since the spans are right there. It was be no means an easy race physically, but mentally I had a harder time with the Nanticoke 3miler. The only thing I'd do is train harder. I wasn't sure that my training was adequate since I never swam 4 miles straight but turns out intervals and one long session a week worked for me.

In the preceeding weeks I decided that I wouldn't do this again but now, I definitely will.

Eating. Awesome refreshments and food. My favorite was the Subway donation of stacks and stacks of subs....awesome.


training.


Great race. I accomplished a life long goal and am amazed at those who have done this 10, 15 times. I think we had ideal conditions (rain held off) and the current (on the east side at least) was moderate.