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My friends and I recently entered another Women’s Tri
(not Contours) and we found it really enjoyable.
The only thing we found
hard was the sea swim as we are not gun swimmers and spend most of the
time training in the pool (plus twice at Corsair Bay). Unfortunately we
do stop at times at the end of a lap, mainly due to difficulty with
breathing, so when entering the water at Scarborough at 30 sec intervals
I found it really scary. As you said people would swim over you and as
to be expected, the odd foot or arm in the face etc. I became panicky as
did many others, due to the big swells forever pushing us out, and it
seemed, further from the buoy, causing distress, and I heard one lady
yelling that she felt she was drowning. They assured us that at all
stages we could touch the bottom which in fact was untrue but not their
fault as they were not to know from one buoy to another the depth in
some places. I personally found myself hyper ventilating and laid on my
back for some time to calm down while people were scurrying all over me
-- most unpleasant.
I am strong in the bike and run and need to conquer
this fear of swimming in the sea. I definitely want to go to the sea
swims later in the month, so I can find out how to breathe doing
freestyle without gulping in all the water when a swell or wave comes in
at the same time. It is a horrid feeling and vowed I wouldn't do a sea
swim again, but that would be letting my fear win, so if I can try this
again and feel comfortable I would be so grateful.
I must sound like
some frightened female, I only wish to strengthen this weakness/fear
with the help of other women who have been there and know their stuff as
you obviously do. This is a great opportunity for women to compete
without fear of ridicule and embarrassment.
Thanks to you all for the
support you give the women. PS: 10/3/2003 -- I was very fearful about
the sea swim but as it turned out on the day the water was flat. It was
still hard work and I had a few panic attacks about being out in deep
water but made it in alive.
If it wasn't for your encouragement and frankness about the sea swim I
wouldn't have gone back in, so pat yourself on the back.
I stayed on for prize giving and to hear some of the stories of
achievement blew me away, and the prizes were great (next time I may
even get a prize)!!! It was well organised and a great atmosphere.
Once again THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for the encouragement,
-- you have made one girl happy in herself, and that she can do things,
contrary to what others think.
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