Digging Deep...

 Yesterday was one of the best swim sessions and one of the hardest I have ever done. Yes I accomplished my first 10 kilometer pool swim. Time wise I gave myself and my training partner four hours to get it done in. We managed a huge 3:46 (3 hours and 46 minutes). Our target for doing the same distance in the ocean is 4:00 (we are allowed maximum time of 4:15).

So what goes through the mind of someone swimming 10 kilometers in the pool? For me I started and at about the two kilometer mark I was so relaxed that I felt like I was going to sleep, and startled myself a little. By the time the first 2.5km mark came it was time for a carbohydrate gel and drink, then within less than a minute I was back into the swim...

I get back into the rhythm of the swim, but it did take a bit, and then I realise that the sun is shinning and well...oops no sun cream, so we are going to get a bit burnt..oh well, nothing I can do now, just keep going. So now it was a matter of getting to the five kilometer mark before I could have another gel and that would put me at the half way mark. I already knew my time was good, when I hit 2.5km, it was a matter of not letting it drop to much.


 I hit the 5km mark and still feeling good, time for a gel and drink, then back into it I go...I knew this wasn't going to be easy so I thought, I have made it to eight kilometers before, so just focus on breathing and keep the arms turning over. Pace...Pace...Pace...try not to slow down to much and don't push to hard...got to have enough to get through.

Time was still good, I was under time wise from my previous long swim by a bit. So with feeling good and knowing there was more to come, it was on wards and "just keep swimming".

I could feel that it was a little harder getting into a smooth rhythm this time, so it was a matter of settling, breathing and focus on the arms getting them relaxed and into it.

I started hitting a good rhythm and felt good. There were laps when I could feel the pace drop, and the back and arms were starting to fatigue a bit, but the mind was still in the right place. I took a mental recon of how my body was feeling by the 7.5km mark when I could have my last gel and a drink. I could feel some of the chaffing happening, the fatigue had kicked in and the mind was starting to feel it as well. I knew I could get through the next 500m with no issues and then push through the next two kilometers and break them down if I had to.

So I make it to the eight kilometer mark, feeling it all, and the mind is starting to feel it, but I keep going, there are laps in the next 1000m that I have to dig deep and remind myself that I am doing this to swim the Rottnest Channel and I visualise the the last two kilometers of the Channel swim coming up onto the beach and finishing...

By the nine kilometer mark the arms are tired, the lats (muscles) in my back are burning, the chaffing is starting to sting, and I know that I just have to dig deep to make the last 1000m to reach my goal. I start to chant "Welcome to the Grind" this is my favourite inspirational piece that boosts me when I need it.

I make it to 9500m and the burning is unbelievable, but the mind just kicks in and tells the body to keep going, and yes some of my technique has already gone by the way side and my arms are just turning over. I try to keep my breathing stable and positive thoughts.

9800m I want the next four laps to fly past me, and I turn for the last 100m. I know I am good for time. I make my way up the lane feeling every little bit of my body...I turn, start to turn the arms as much as I can faster, by the 25m mark the legs kick in and I know I am at the finish line....

I stop. I press the interval button on my watch, then press stop...take a moment to see my time...3:45:53, feeling amazing and trying to calm my breathing. I take a moment to take what I just did, this is the first time I have managed a 10 kilometer swim. Its time for a slow cool down and do another 100m breast-stroke. Then its time to get out, now last time when I did the 8km swim my toes cramped up and I was expecting that again, so I took it a bit slower to climb the stairs out, stretching my legs and calves. With every inch of my body feeling the cold air, I walk ever so slowly to the doors to the indoor pool and into the change rooms for a hot shower.

Have an awesome week everyone...

Hayley xx