the17thman

Me Running Out of Water Towards The Tropical Dash Finish Line

5 minutes later the local city council banned the wearing of speedo suits on the beach for anyone above the age of 30 without 6 pack abs.

Officially Official. My Tropical Splash 1K Open Water Swim 2011 Results

I'll most likely never ever do an open water event again but I'm happy with my results.  Actually I regret not doing the 2.5 or 5 but whatever.

overall results via frontrunningsports.com

 

My Daiquiri Desk Tropical Splash Swim

DOH!  Daiquiri Deck Tropical Splash Swim.  Not desk!  DOH!

I'm too tired to think but I did okay for my first open water swim.  I didn't get attacked by a shark so that is a win!
I came in first in my age group and third overall.  Not too bad.  I only did the 1K Swim.  I was a bit nervous since I've never done any open water swim and didn't know how to spot and all that.  I think if I had a few gulf/ocean swims before today I would have done a bit better.  I couldn't tell how far things were away from me.  So I was going slow but steady.  Just trying to stay on course and not get attacked by a shark.  Actually the shark thing wasn't in my mind.  All I did think about was staying on course.  I started off with almost a water polo stroke.  But then calmed down a bit.  Keeping to a looksie every 4 strokes and by the end every 8.  They didn't even give me a fun number.  65 WTF?  I also gotta say that I don't think I ever want to do another open water swim.  The sand and salt water is nasty.  People are all over the place.  I got hit, pushed, kicked, cut off...grrr.  I was about to make my hands into fists and go all windmill on a few folks.  I really don't know why anyone would want to do open water.  Waves splashing all over.  Fishes.  Sharks.  Salt Water.  I am a pool guy.  

Here is a slideshow of pictures of the beach from the day before and just 4 or so from the day of the race.

My Swimtember Motivation!

I've been bitching and moaning at myself for not being motivated enough at swim practice.  So I entered the Rowdy Gaines Masters Classic from October 14 - 16.  Check it out at rowdygainesclassic.com.  Anyways since I paid for this meet I better work hard the next month.  I also didn't sandbag my times too much.  I just rounded up a smudge.  That way even if I continue my slow swimming I will have to work hard to make my entry times.  Oh god, I should have sandbagged them even more.  I'm nervous now. Hopefully this will motivate me in Swimtember!

Boys! Boys! Boys! My Sorta Official Times From Today 7/16

Wahoo I'm a Boy!  Anyone over 20 who uses boy to describe them needs to be slapped but for today I was a boy. 
Boys 40-44!  Ha!
Yeah, I sandbagged my entry.  I never swam a 50 in a long course pool.  Well not since the 70's.
Woah.  That time sucked.  It sucked so much my camera couldn't stand looking at it and cut off my time.  Yeah, I sucked today.
Wahoo!  Default!  I'm getting use to winning by default.  That's two weekends in a row.  Hmm...I'm getting slower but this lack of swimmers in Central Florida is allowing me to phone it in!