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Sharkfest!

I survived Sharkfest!  I successfully swam the 1.5 miles from Alcatraz Island to Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf this morning.   There were four of us from Central Maryland Y Masters and we all finished.

After we checked in, got our timing chips and heard instructions from the race organizer, I and the other 900 swimmers(!) walked about half a mile to a dock where we boarded two large boats, which took us to the east side of the island.  There we jumped off in twos and swam a few hundred yards to the starting line and treaded while we awaited the starting whistle. 

When the whistle finally sounded, there was a great deal of kicking, elbowing and thrashing because we were all right on top of each other.  I maneuvered around slower swimmers as best I could and wound my way to open patches so I could get on with the business of swimming.

There were lots of kayaks and small boats patrolling to make sure we stayed on course as we headed to shore and kept other bay traffic away.  A lead boat with a large, bright buoy on the top of its mast guided us through the choppy water.  Both the air and water temperatures were about 58 degrees, and the sky was gray and foggy.

We were told there would be a strong current as the ebb tide picked up, and we would have to aim about 200 yards to the east of the inlet we needed to enter, but the current never materialized.  So many of us swam a little further east than we should have and ended up having to cut back. 

I wasn't sure how to pace my swim.  I knew it was much shorter than the Chesapeake Bay swim but, because of the temperature and chop, it would be more challenging.  I intended to start out fairly slowly, but the cold and the adreneline I think caused me to go pretty fast.  I was getting winded by the end of the first half mile and had to slow myslef down.  But by the last half mile, I decided I needed to pick it up and swim hard.  I was nearly sprinting--probably not the smartest decision but I didn't want to leave any energy in the water.

I didn't.  When I got to the finish line I was completely spent.  Donna said I looked like a dead man, ashen with purple lips.  I was barely able to stand.  A race official removed the timing chip from my ankle and Donna got me to the nearby bleachers so I could sit.  After a few minutes I felt and looked better.

My time was 35:14, better than I was hoping for.  The organizers haven't yet posted details of the finish, but I'll include those later.  I'll also share more of our non-swim-related vacation in my next post.  Meantime, here are a few pictures...





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  1. UnknownJuly 28, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    So proud of you, Dad! So glad you out-swam the sharks! Love, Kate

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    "...me and the other 900 swimmers..." ? Hmm. But congratulations. I always thought you were part fish. And that's a great smile. It reminded me of the smile on your face when we were teenagers, and you had just won a swim race; I took your photo, and you had this amazing, piercing smile.

    ReplyDelete

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