With so many moving parts and different tactics, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when you're facing an open water swim for the first time. Here are some thoughts that may cross your mind as you face the big ol' blue.
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53 Thoughts You Have During Your First Open Water Swim
Written by
Michael Nystrom
Triathlon is a sport that can sometimes take you out of your comfort zone.
With so many moving parts and different tactics, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when you're facing an open water swim for the first time. Here are some thoughts that may cross your mind as you face the big ol' blue.
With so many moving parts and different tactics, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when you're facing an open water swim for the first time. Here are some thoughts that may cross your mind as you face the big ol' blue.
When you're wondering who invented the wetsuit and why.
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2. This wetsuit is snugger than I remember.
3. How the heck am I supposed to zip this up by myself?
4. Maybe I should ask that dude to help me.
5. Why didn't I practice this part before?
3. How the heck am I supposed to zip this up by myself?
4. Maybe I should ask that dude to help me.
5. Why didn't I practice this part before?
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you're starting to question all your life decisions.
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6. People are warming up in the water. I'll just save my energy.
7. Did the announcer say to line up in order? What order?
8. The waves look bigger than usual. Way bigger.
9. Will they notice if I drown?
10. Welp, I did this to myself.
11. Why? Why, did I sign up for this?
7. Did the announcer say to line up in order? What order?
8. The waves look bigger than usual. Way bigger.
9. Will they notice if I drown?
10. Welp, I did this to myself.
11. Why? Why, did I sign up for this?
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen it's go time and there's no turning back now.
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12. People are pushing to get to the start line. Relax.
13. Oh no, the countdown. 3...2...1...
14. Is it too late to turn around?
13. Oh no, the countdown. 3...2...1...
14. Is it too late to turn around?
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen it's go time.
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15. It's a stampede! What's the rush?
16. Oooooh, this water is cold. Really cold.
17. No turning back now, I guess. Here we go.
18. Wait, I forget. Do we swim clockwise?
19. Why are the buoys different colors?
20. This would be much easier without the waves.
21. Is it just me, or is the current pulling us out to sea?
16. Oooooh, this water is cold. Really cold.
17. No turning back now, I guess. Here we go.
18. Wait, I forget. Do we swim clockwise?
19. Why are the buoys different colors?
20. This would be much easier without the waves.
21. Is it just me, or is the current pulling us out to sea?
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen the swim just started but it feels like you're been going forever.
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22. I guess I'll never see dry land again.
23. Whew, got past the waves.
24. But now I'm too tired to actually swim.
25. I guess I'll float on my back for a second.
26. No, Mr. Lifeguard, I'm not "OK."
23. Whew, got past the waves.
24. But now I'm too tired to actually swim.
25. I guess I'll float on my back for a second.
26. No, Mr. Lifeguard, I'm not "OK."
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you get a wave of energy.
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27. OK, maybe I'm being dramatic. Let's swim.
28. Hey this isn't so bad. Success!
28. Hey this isn't so bad. Success!
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen things were looking up but…
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29. SOMETHING JUST TOUCHED MY FOOT. I REPEAT. SOMETHING JUST TOUCHED MY FOOT.
30. I basically just got attacked by a shark.
31. Why me, world? Why me!
32. Never mind. It was just seaweed.
30. I basically just got attacked by a shark.
31. Why me, world? Why me!
32. Never mind. It was just seaweed.
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen it's cold and there's only one thing you can think to do.
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33. Hmmm it's kinda cold out here.
34. Only one thing to do when it's cold.
35. .....
36. Much better.
34. Only one thing to do when it's cold.
35. .....
36. Much better.
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you get a reality check.
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37. Did that 14-year-old just pass me?
38. Oh, it's on now.
39. OK, I think he's just really strong.
40. I'll get him next time.
38. Oh, it's on now.
39. OK, I think he's just really strong.
40. I'll get him next time.
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you're in the final stretch.
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41. The final buoy! I'm not last!
42. Looks like a traffic jam. Why do people stop?
43. It's the final stretch. I can see dry land!
44. More waves. There go my goggles.
42. Looks like a traffic jam. Why do people stop?
43. It's the final stretch. I can see dry land!
44. More waves. There go my goggles.
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you're still in the final stretch.
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45. Can I touch yet?
46. Nope.
47. Activate doggy paddle.
46. Nope.
47. Activate doggy paddle.
Find:
Your Next RaceWhen you assume you're finished.
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48. I can touch!
49. Dry land. It's just so beautiful. *single tear*
50. I'm not crying, it's just the ocean water. Maybe.
49. Dry land. It's just so beautiful. *single tear*
50. I'm not crying, it's just the ocean water. Maybe.
Find:
Your Next RaceAnd finally, when you realize the race is far from over.
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51. Why is the beach so steep? I can hardly breathe.
52. I think my leg is permanently stuck in this wetsuit.
53. Hold on... I still have to ride my bike after this? And run?
52. I think my leg is permanently stuck in this wetsuit.
53. Hold on... I still have to ride my bike after this? And run?