Race Result

Racer:	Jamie Roberson
Race:	Jim McDonnell 1 Mile Lake Swim
Date:	Sunday, May 25, 2008
Location:	Reston, VA
Race Type:	Swim - 1 Mile
Age Group:	Female 45 - 49
Time:	0:55:16
Overall Place:	198 / 201
Age Group Place:	13 / 14
Comment:	Hyperventilation Cured by Gator Volunteer

Race Report:

Everything seemed on track for a PR - my times have improved over the past three years that I've done this swim, and I even had a new wetsuit this time (good thing, since the water temperature was in the mid-60's). But for whatever reason, today wasn't my day.

* Pre-race nutrition? Uncrustable, gatorade, no problems
* Nerves? Nope, was loose and joking around with fellow Q-wave swimmers
* Water temp? Cold, but felt secure in the wetsuit
* Wetsuit fit? Snug, but not unduly so. Had a pre-purchase test-swim in Shandra's Endless Pool (thanks, Shandra!).

So I don't know why I hyperventilated during the first 30 minutes of what should have been a 45-minute swim. At least I had the experience to know that I can get thru this if I try hard to relax. That was easier said than done, though. My brain flooded with negative stressors about the upcoming Eagleman AquaBike, how it was a good thing that I had had to back out of my initial plans to do the 2-mile swim in order to get to work after the race, how I don't belong here, blah, blah, blah.

For whatever reason, I finally calmed down and was able to lengthen my stroke and push through. Even passed three swimmers.

In retrospect, though, it was likely the result of Jason, a kayak volunteer in a GATOR fleece, encouraging me on. It really IS "Great to be a Florida Gator".