Mermaids, Salt Water and Dogs

Yesterday we headed to Coney Island for our open water swim. Up by 5:45 at the train by 6:30 at the beach by 7:20 in the water by 8:00. The coaches spit us up into three groups and I headed down to the water with the intermediate group. Halfway through the swim I realized I should have gone to basic. Though I can swim. I'm not that advanced at swimming in the ocean. Growing up along the Mississippi didn't really help me in this arena. When I do go to the ocean, I play in the water and jump waves- I don't do serious swimming- let alone for an hour in water. So in Basic they went over getting used to the water in your wet suit- oh well... I figured it all out the hard way! After Coach Scott gave us instructions we lubed up, slipped into our wet suits and ran into the water. We did triangle swims. Another coach in a pink swim cap acted as a buoy. We swam out and around her then back and parallel to the shore- again and again and again. Swimming out against the waves wasn't terrible- but my goggles came loose, salt water leaked in and burned my eyes. It went up my nose and down my mouth. My underarms were rubbing against the wet suit and it hurt- my neck started to chafe. Basically, i was miserable but I kept going and going. I lost my buddy L but quickly acquired a new one who was swimming at my pathetic pace. Knowing that the swim in the Hudson isn't salt water and the current will be with us - not against us is calming my nerves. But one I emerged from the water, stripping out of my wet suit as we ran up to the beach, I thought WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING!! The swim freaked me out- not because I thought I would drown but because it was hard and made me worry if I can actually pull this whole thing off. We quicky switched gears, put on sneakers and ran up to the boardwalk for a 4-5 mile run. The run was ok but I was tired.... at least I had something tasty to look forward to. That's right- Nathan's Hot Dogs! A few of us stayed to enjoy some delicious dogs and cheese fries at the landmark Nathans! I passed on the 11 am beer but I did greatly enjoy our morning lunch! Snapped a few quick pics of Mermaids turning out for the parade and then headed back to the City. It was a good, hard morning. A few of the mentors reassured me that it took them a few swims to get used to the open water- its far different from swimming in Lake Plantagenet, that's for sure.

After a stop at the Green Market in Union Square, I headed to jack rabbit to get a new pair of goggles- mine are super cool looking but they just aren't working. I also got a new pair of shoes! Yup, went to the podiatrist to have my black toe checked out. Turns out I need half a size bigger shoe than what I've been wearing. Hopefully my new shoes will stop by toe from causing me pain.

Today I hoped to go for a long ride but the pending rain, the race in the park and my lack of sleep made me think twice. Instead I went for a spin class at CP with Drill Sargent D. The class was hard- an hour and 30 minutes long - and D doesn't let up. I kinda think I got a better workout in the class than I would have on my bike- But I need to get some time in on the Contessa. So I'll get up tomorrow morning to go for a ride... I'm starting to get nervous about next weekend's Sprint Tri in Staten Island.
I feel a little discouraged this week. My body doesn't feel so sore as much as it feels tired. I know I'm doing this just to finish but I want to do my very best- and yesterday was not my best.
4 weeks until race day...