If my fledgling triathlon adventure wasn't to falter before it even got going, I knew that at some point, I was going to have to conquer the lake swim, or any open water swim for that matter. Of course, there are some events where the swim takes place in a pool, but the majority of the events I wanted to have a go at, all involved open water swims.
I think what helped here, was to enter an event that contained said lake swim. Otherwise I could have quite easily put it off forever. So, I duly entered the Lidl Bananaman (http://humanrace.co.uk/event/lidl-bananaman-triathlon/) and selected what I thought would be an easy distance to take on - the Banana Fritter (Super Sprint distance) which included a 400m lake swim (more on how 'easy' that first event was in a different post).
So now, the challenge was laid down, I had the focus I needed. I'd just spent 60 quid on my first triathlon event and I couldn't see that money go to waste by not being able to swim in the open water.
What next? I had no idea what my next steps should be. Where was there a lake, what about a wet-suit etc. This is where friends and friends of friends come in handy. At the local pool where I was taking lessons, I was told that there was a guy who often came who had done Iron Man and I also found out that you could hire wet suits for a season. Lee (Iron Man) did come to one of the Monday sessions at the pool and I duly introduced myself and made sure I got all the information I could on open water swimming local to me.
Other friends had mentioned a good place locally to look at wet-suits, that had an 'endless pool' so you could actually swim in the suit you selected. Both Gill and Dawn at Tri N swimwell (http://www.trinswimwell.co.uk/) were so helpful. I decided to take the plunge and buy my suit - something about wearing a second hand one didn't appeal. The girls gave me a lot of their time, getting the right size suit, asking me what events I was planning to do and taking time to make sure I had the right suit. I was even lucky enough to get about half an hour of free instruction, such was the sorry state of my swimming at that stage, I'm sure they felt sorry for me ! They also explained about repairs if I damaged my suit and that they would buy my old one back should I want to upgrade.
I went for a HUUB suit, their entry level one (HUUB Apperitif) as I was trying to keep costs down, plus as this point, didn't know if I would actually take to the open water or complete in a Tri, so didn't want to spend massive amounts. I'm really impressed with this suit and for the money, seems to be superb value
In terms of the lake, luckily for me, there is a lake around 20 minutes from me called Stubbers (http://www.stubbers.co.uk/) complete with a triathlon and open water swim team that ran open water sessions there (http://www.swimfortri.co.uk/). Again, I cannot praise the team at SwimforTri enough, from telling me how it would all work, from my first 'skills' lesson to being able to swim on my own in the fitness sessions. That first skills lesson was invaluable, as it helped to ease the nerves and worries, there was a fairly sizeable group which brings an element of comfort, from not being the only first-timer. After registration and getting our numbered band (to check us in/out of the water) we were taken through how to put our suits on, use of products such as bodyglide which would help prevent rubbing, we covered land-based warm up, how to stop our goggles steaming up on entering water. Eventually we were ready for the water, which was advertised as a balmy 14 degrees. I had no reference point whatsoever as to what that was like, other than remembering the local pool was always advertising the main pool at 29 degrees and that always felt cold initially. Well, for reference, 14 is COLD !
Needless to say, there were a number of strange and perhaps unexpected noises emitted as we all entered the lake for the first time and that icy water filled our suits. Initially, I was taken aback with the buoyancy of the suit. I really hadn't expected it to float me in the water and it felt quite odd. We made our way to the centre of the lake and by the time we were there, a few minutes in, I didn't even notice the cold. I was surprised how warm the suit kept me. Even my feet were fine as were my hands. In the centre of the lake, we were introduced to the specific needs of open water swimming. From getting attention if in trouble (roll onto back, raise hand), to swimming in a straight line and how to swim 'head up' briefly for navigation. Types of breathing to deal with swell/waves etc. It was a really useful session. In all the session lasted around 45 mins, by which time my hands were frozen and I was glad of the decision to call it a day. Back on land, there were hot drinks and biscuits provided.
Yet again, another massive sense of achievement washed over me. I'd done it. I had actually swum (ok not very far) in a lake ! What struck me again was the enthusiasm of the swimforTri team, their depth of experience and ability to make you feel at ease and like the pool, the friendliness of everyone else who was there for the first time, or who was there for the 100th time, how easy we talked about it being first-timers, how silly we looked in wetsuits and rubber hats...how we were worried about the cold, what was underneath us...but all this chit-chat does matter. It is important not to feel like the outsider, to be welcomed. This is most certainly the case at Stubbers and I'm sure at many other open water venues around the country.
So, now having completed my skills session, I could swim on my own. The first couple of times I went, it was still a learning curve for me. I managed one lap, which depending on how good my navigation was, should have been somewhere around 900m or so. Gradually I moved up to two laps and that sense of achievement was there again. Not that long before I was just finding my feet in the pool, now I was swimming over 1500m in open water, non stop. I do not think I've experienced a bigger sense of achievement in anything sports related before, even finishing my first Marathon. And that was it, I was hooked. Open water swimming beats pool swimming hands down. No contest. Even if you do not plan on entering a Triathlon, I can't recommend the open water enough. On some mornings at Stubbers, the lake is totally calm and flat, the sun just coming up over one of the banks, its just perfect, you never get that swimming in an indoor pool.
Now I've moved on to the open water, the pool still plays a big part in training, its a must during the winter months. But, as with those first pool sessions I took, for all the worry and fretting I did, there was no need...everyone is so friendly, the instructors are great, the sense of security is comforting (there are boats placed around the lake and you are counted in and out of the lake) and the enjoyment of the open water is fantastic. I tell anyone who will listen how good it is and how they should be doing it. I'm sure like me, you may have many reservations about the open water, but really, if I can do it, anyone can.
Find your local lake, get a wetsuit and get out there....and dont worry about there being no edge to hold on to...you really dont miss it.
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