Panic

Early Saturday morning open water swim… in Worcester, in the middle of the countryside…. Alarm clock at 6.00am, 5miles bike ride till Harborne, car lift till the place and swim…. The place is called Top Barn, and it consists a farm with a square lake and another building alongside the lake. This second two floors building has a shop at the first floor and changing room facilities on the ground floor. The lake is square, each cross-lap is 650m. The first lap was horrible. I started panicked in the water, something I’ve experimented only once in life years ago. My relationship with open water swim (lake or sea) has been always complicated and with conflict. The problem today was that the water was 1.5 meter deep, so the lake was not deep enough. I was able to see all the trees growing underwater, and while swimming I was touching some of the floating stuff. Horrible. The heart rate went up quickly and I was left without breath. I did most of the first lap in breaststroke, with my head outside the water, trying not to touch anything, and to safely finish as soon as possible. The group I was with asked me how it was going (they are always helpful) but it was not going well at all. I also thought to exit the water eventually, but I carried on. I pushed myself and I finished the lap. Than Steve decided to do a second lap, and I’ve taken the chance. He was swimming just ahead of me, and I was following as close as possible, in order not to loose him. I focused all my attention in following his feet, and his feet were the only things I was looking for and seeing. The second lap was really nice. 650m in 15 minutes, no panic attach, no breathless. I actually enjoyed it. The waster was 19 degrees, so not too chilly. After the shower, the place offered us (and all the Worcester triathletes that were there) some hot tea coffee and a small but free breakfast. The conclusion is that I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve enjoyed the morning, and I hope to go again. BRATs are really friendly, and overall it was good. Good company, good swim, good place, good experience despite the panic attack. Last time it did not happened because the Bittell Reservoir is deep and you can’t see anything down! I’m still learning and making experience…. It is strange how now I’m feeling in peace with myself and in equilibrium…