We were all lined up so I didn't need to wory about being swum over. (This is my familiar lake where I train. But I train in afternoon and this was morning.) They all went away very fast like a living wall leaving me alone. (But I stayed in my own pace all the time so I didn't burn out.) After a 50m I realised there is an old man behind that wall, too, in front of me, and was so happy for it. (I had some dreams of catching him later but it stayed a dream.) I couldn't swim non-stop I did a bit breaststroke several times - didn't want to force too much too soon. After some time I saw people swimming back, with a boat ahead of first swimmer.) I had plenty of time to think about my doubts and how false they were. Here I am, swimming in the middle of the lake, and when I started my sports adventure, I could barely do 7 strokes together. Those 750m looked so long, but I remeber when 50m looked long, so I hope 750m will become as easy. Last summer 750m was all I could do, and it was in the pool, and it took me 40min! And look at me now, swimming 1500. I felt great, this was my great victory over my fears.
Finaly I could see a buoy. But it was to hard to reach it - becouse it was so huge it looked nearer than it was! (It was so kind of them to put it, for us people swimming without glasses. It was the biggest buoy I ever saw.) After I passed it, I expected the surge of strenght I usually feel at that time, and struggled. Expected and struggled. Expected and struggled. (The old man was far far away. Still, I could see him.) The boat with the huge yellow buoy was floating behind me. Than it was at my side. I realised that my surge of strength is not going to happen and I decided to push harder anyway. Man, it was hard! My hart was beating hard, it was hard to breathe (I was surprised of how it was hard but secretly hoped it is PB on horizont.) As finish was nearer (some 300m) i pushed harder, I was glad I practiced swimming straight and sightseing. I was proud that I learned all that from you, dear BT people, and applied it all on my own. I was glad having a boat at my side, not being alone like all the time. It was so comforting and touching. Although I knew I won't need it. So I pushed harder and harder with my swimming form as it is, and it was over. People standing at finish told me 43min - it was incredible news, 7 min better then I expected. So I didn't embarassed myself so much! (Cutout time was 40.)


I wouldn't doubt it is possible at all to reach my goal, as I did. Therefore I would be more enthusiastic about my training.
I would definitly stick to the rope since it is already there.
I would focus better on my form.

I forgot about warm-down. I was pretty exosted. I warmed myself with warm water I brought in a big bottle with me and get dressed and that was it.


My form. (I'm glad I worked on my form during winter, it made this posibble. But I need to work a lot on my form, I could feel the extra drag, my legs sink too much.)
My endurance.


I will remember this day next time I start to doubt myself. Now I know it is possible. It is possible to make dream a goal, work on it consistently, reach it, do it!