SwimRun Lake James

Well, we did it. Team The Local Noobs finished SwimRun Lake James with huge smiles and interesting tan lines.  It was quite the experience from start to finish - with training taking me 16+ weeks and ending with this marvelous race. I'm not sure where to start with this blog and need to just type - I can erase / add / subtract as I move along... but there is just so much to tell you.  

I woke up about 4:15 on Saturday April 23rd ready to motivate. I had a cup of black coffee and watched a little TV while I tried to get in the right zone. I had laid out my gear the night before and had bags ready to take to the car for the race.  I made myself a breakfast of eggs, some protein, and a small bit of toast - but could barely eat.  I did consume a banana on the way, but my nerves were messing with me.  I left the house about 6:30 and headed toward the lake. Our goal was to be there at around 7:00 and I showed up about 7 minutes early as per usual.  Thomas arrived right after and was parked about 5 cars from me in the lot.  I actually pulled in beside the famous "Marcus Barton" who is Mr. SwimRun. He's a super laid-back, funny, and just a friendly and nice guy - who has more SwimRun knowledge in his pinky finger than I have in my entire body - but I digress.  He has welcomed us graciously into the sport - and I just love his friend group. 

Everyone was getting dressed, spraying each other with TriGlide, and laughing in the parking lot. I initially put my wetsuit shorts on inside out and realized I had no pockets so had to strip them down and try again.  I actually wore a sports bra, Tyr swimsuit, and my Orca SwimRun wetsuit for the race, and did not feel over or under dressed. In fact it was perfect! Weather was warm, starting temperature of 50ish degrees and supposed to warm up to about 82. Water temperature was projected at 61-64 degrees, which was welcomed as we had acclimated in water 51-57 for weeks! (Swimming in 51* is effing cold y'all, honestly like nothing I have ever experienced.)

The race basically started without a hitch and Thomas and I settled into an easy pace for the first mile. We left out of Fonta Flora and ran the Over Mountain Victory Trail toward Paddy's Creek. We entered the lake, from the bridge - not the trail, and had to traverse down a slightly steep little bank to jump into the creek for our first swim.  Thomas pulled the first swim, which was 800 yards  -  with the sun in our face and not being able to sight our first swim exit I initially thought "omg, this is going to be awful" (obviously our luck improved).  During this time, I pulled my buoy from it's mount, cursed loudly into the sky, and we both just laughed.  I then spied the exit and we were on our way!  I recall scrambling up the bank onto run two and just pulling myself together - it was going to make sense eventually and then it kind of clicked.  A short run, short swim, short run section helped. Then we had a beautiful medium swim from the State Park beach toward Canal Bridge.  As we exited the swim, I saw a rope hanging from a tree and people climbing up the side of a "mountain" to get to this next run. I remember being petrified but got myself up the rope, climbed a giant hill, and I was on fire.  The next bit was running along a short trail and coming across another rope section over a creek - then scrambling back down a hill into a short and fast swim to the long run. 

During the long run, I opted for walking as much as needed, because we had hit the first cutoff in plenty of time. I did not want to wear myself out on the long run which was supposedly 7.7 miles, but measured 8.2 for us, and for others as well. Even Strava segmented it at 8.08 miles.  During the long run, Thomas and I talked about things as we always do on our long runs, met other competitors, and speculated when the run would be done. It was a tough run. I expected it to be more flat - and it had some moderate climbing and nearly a mile of bushwhacking before the "long swim." 

Not surprisingly, the "long swim" was my favorite part of the race. Well, it started the best parts of the race for me. We made good time in the 1600 yards from the Long Arm to our first island experience. During this part of the race, we hopped across islands, by climbing, traversing, sliding down on our butts, swimming to the next island and doing it all over again. It was so much fun, so empowering, and really where I saw what a strong team Thomas and I had become in all this training. You see, in SwimRun the main purpose of the race is team bonding and adventure - and I could see we were both just crazy as hell and working together to get around Lake James. 

I will say I stumbled on a root on the first island and had a Charley Horse. The lady of the island (volunteer) offered me an ice pack but I told her I just needed it to go away; so we worked on massaging it out and quickly getting back on our feet to get back in the water on the other side of the island. I think I hadn't had enough hydration from the long run / long swim combo (about 2.5 hours of work) so Thomas gave me a gel and I felt almost immediately better.  (By the way, that was the nastiest tasting gel ever, and since Thomas is like my brother, in my head I think he did it on purpose! Haha!)

Throughout the next few sections we island hopped for what seemed like an eternity, but it was so much fun! At some point we showed up on an island that looked familiar, this was the Long Arm again and where we had a 1.2  mile run or so before another swim. We worked our way to an aid station who told us we had a few more sections and then the last run back in.  The next swim was a longer swim, and I was so ready for it. Unfortunately, the swim was not ready for me. That 1300 yard swim felt like it took me longer than the 1600 yard swim, in fact, I'm pretty sure we were swimming in the same place for bits and pieces of it - as Nebo Fire Department and McDowell County Sheriff watched over us in a boat and we had a pilot to our other side. I sighted the buoys, but could not sight the shore flag and that was messing with my head. But we persevered. At this point I was cold and tired, and I felt like this swim would never end - but in a weird way, I was also so happy! 

As we climbed out of the 1300 yard swim, I heard tons of cheering from the boaters and had to laugh a little. We started a little more island hopping before coming to a very familiar place - our boat ramp where we open water swim from in the summer. At that point I knew there was exactly 2.3 miles left in the race.  As I approached the boat ramp, I felt a slight tugging at my sock and turned around to see a small water snake hissing at me. I told him not to bite me, I had only 2.3 miles left. Silly snake! 

The last 2.3 miles is really a blur. We just kept going. I recall talking to a child about a stick, laughing about stupid things, and seeing a dog in a backpack.  We also briefly greeted a snake and ran our way in.  As I saw the finish line, the biggest smile crossed my face... It was real, it was done, and all our new friends, my family, and spectators were waiting to greet us! In fact, several SwimRunners got together and formed a bridge for us to run under. I became so overwhelmed, I started to hyperventilate, but held it together.  My mom said later it looked as though I was going to cry - I replied "yes, I remember - but I was too dehydrated to form tears at that point!" 

What an incredible, yet crazy tough experience; a race to really see what you are made of! Thomas had 22 miles total on his Garmin and I had 21, so either way, we moved some distance from roughly 19-22 miles of swimming and running! 

Here's the thing, I've never been a fast runner, and it's been years since I've competitively swam.  But this is something I wanted so badly, I was ready to put in the work. I trained consistently, I did my fast runs, easy runs, long runs, long swims, technique swims, fast swims, and swim/run workouts. I listened to my partner. I read a ton of literature. I lived SwimRun for months. I bought a special wetsuit, I bought a special pull buoy, I tried new shoes and loved them. I worked hard and trusted the process. My message to you is to  find something that brings you such passion, such joy, and such life that you can't sleep thinking about it... it's why we are here! And you'll never regret finishing! I promise - although admittedly, nearly a month after finishing it all, I miss it. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat! 

Training Again

 

Yesterday I completed an amazing trail run, that just felt stronger than ever for some reason. You see, I’m not new to running, I just have taken some time off to work on recovery and to heal. And while I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing, looking back, it all makes sense. 

Years ago, I was as addicted to running as I was to alcohol. While I was a tremendous athlete, I was a confused person. I did amazing things, but was held back and crippled by a desire to drink and filled non-drinking times with tons of running. I held on to toxic relationships and was a toxic person myself. I owe amends to a few folks - as I’ve grown astronomically since surrendering and becoming sober. 

But yesterday’s run was the run I needed to believe that I’m recovering quite well - that I’m strong - and I’m finally at peace with the old part of my life. Taking time to only swim, helped me rediscover passion, a desire to train, and form friendships that are healthy and vibrant. As I merge swimming and running together, I breathe deep, trust the process, and take one step at a time. I’m very excited. 

Currently I am training for a SwimRun with my friend Thomas.  I have wanted to do a SwimRun for a few years, since it became an event at Lake James - but I never had a partner. I always could find someone to run with, but I could never find someone who would swim that far.  

                                                                

 It's an endurance even in which you run and swim along a set course of cross country/trail runs and open water swims without stopping in between.  So in essence you may run a bit, jump in the water (lake in our case), swim a certain distance, jump out and run a certain distance, and repeat.  Our event is 19 miles total - with 15 off and on ran and 4 off and on swam. 

My friend, Thomas is an IRONMAN.  He completed IRONMAN Florida in November and needed something to train for.  As an endurance swimmer and okayish runner (former endurance runner) - I told him about this event.  Although there was a short course solo option, we opted to team up and do the full course. 

So training started this week.  

My swims felt good / as I am a strong swimmer and love to swim... 

 1) with the first swim being a distance pull

2) swim 2 being technique

3) and the third swim being speed work

Runs also felt good, as the weather was great. Cold and dry! 

1)  Run one was a tempo run

2) Run two was solid and fast

3) Run three was a walk run combo 

4) Run four was long slow distance on the trails 

I felt good in week one.  Today is a rest day, so I did a three mile walk and then just chilled around the house. I have thought tons about how great my last run went and how excited I am. I know there will be ups and downs with this training, but I am willing to trust the process and always have fun.  I believe in myself and look forward to tremendous growth throughout the next few weeks. 

Growing through Recovery

With my sober birthday being July 5, 2019 - that means, on January 5, 2022 I'll be celebrating 2.5 years. While that may not seem like much, it's been a very challenging, but rewarding time for me.  And 2.5 I am so proud of.  See, I've changed over this 2.5 years; I've shifted and grown, and yet I have watched so much stay stagnant.  

When I decided in July of 2019 to not drink, it was just a challenge for me... Dry July was what it was called, yet I waited until after the 4th, because that's how addicted I was. I'm extremely goal oriented and challenge driven, so taking 30 days off to support a friend, would be fun for me. I had tried numerous times to quit, and sometimes could make it 15 days or so, but ultimately always found myself with a drink because this or that "miffed" me.  But, Dry July felt different.  Then Dry July turned into, let's go 6 weeks, and then my first holidays arrived without alcohol, and by early 2020, I was used to my new sobriety.  In March of 2020, Covid-19 forced shutdowns in the USA - which was horrifying  after watching the rest of the world in tremendous shock and terrible sadness. I never thought this pandemic would change me so much - and here I am in a brand new world, without drinking. 

I've struggled during the pandemic, because I believe in hope, the greater good of mankind, and love.  Without losing anyone over politics or personal opinion; I'm a strong believer and supporter of science, think everyone should wear a mask, and have strongly stood behind both vaccines and the booster.  Going through sobriety during such a contentious time, in this world, has been extremely difficult - because life alone has been difficult. 

I have never felt so lonely - as I do now; and certainly some of it is pandemic related, as I stay as close to home as possible - with the exception of going to work, and showing up on deck (because I trust the mitigation efforts of my pool) - but that being said, some of my isolation has been due to my sobriety.  When you are going through recovery, it's not recommended to go at it alone; but it is recommended to move away from things that remind you of drinking.  For me, it is toxic relationships. I honestly struggle talking about my former job, in any capacity, because it was part of my problem. Days were hard, the work was heavy - and while half of my colleagues were supportive family; the other half were the dysfunctional part of the family.  I drank heavily while I worked there - always after hours.  Coming home exhausted - ready to drink wine and just chill.  I do not remember many evenings during that time in my life; I was going through too much. But, I did start my sobriety there - shared my story with a few colleagues, and this really changed my life and trajectory. While two friends were super supportive, others said things to me that left me confused and ashamed. I ended up leaving and I have not looked back.  I do have two good friends who are still there, and I ask them to not talk "work" with me.  While part of it is pain - to be honest, reminiscing about former "work" is not fruitful toward my growth.  

After my experience sharing my sobriety with select "friends" at work, with limited support; I opted to go silent. I decided not to share. I was so ashamed. I vacillated back and forth with whether I even had a an alcohol problem and questioned whether or not I was just being dramatic.  It took me at least a year, to move forward from my life there and grow as a sober individual.  After my first year, I was still struggling - that's when I left work to try new things.  By 18 months sober, my entire life had changed. I was moving and shaking. I had a new job; one that was filled with fun, joy, and excitement. I was training hard for a swim event, and I spent most of my time working on me.  

By year two, I was sharing my story openly with my mother, father, and a few friends. I even started posting about it on Instagram and gained a whole host of new followers using hashtags such as #soberissexy, #soberAF, and #soberathlete.  There are still folks, I refuse to talk about this with, they can decide if they want to read this or not.  But some people just know one side of me and that's okay.  I've been grateful to share this journey with a few people who really matter and genuinely support me, understand me, and would never stigmatize alcoholism.  

As of late, I've suffered tremendously in building back relationships and trying to find new friends who get me. Obviously, a global pandemic throws a kink in it all; but I need people who get me one hundred percent. I need more sober friends in my life - who have hit rock bottom and now are in recovery.  I do not think you can understand that, until you are in my shoes... because all people in recovery share this same feeling; but others who have not gone through this, just cannot understand the importance.  Sure, I could talk with someone who has never drank - but we will never share the commonality of drinking.  And I could talk with someone who imbibes, but unfortunately they'll never understand my struggles. So, one day at a time, I try to figure out how to decrease loneliness and I feel a little more at ease.  That's all I can do... and my greatest gift, is an ability and desire to share this with others, so they can grow with me.