Spoiler Alert: I didn’t get eaten by a shark nor gator.
Whew. You may read on without anticipation that I had to fight off some water creature.
We are in the second week of Fleet Feet CREW training and everyone is doing amazing. I mainly mentor runners that maintain between 12:30-13:30(ish pace) on the run portion and they do 4:1′s. Everyone is so pleasant, despite being early wakeups! A few from the No Boundaries program I coached earlier in the year signed up, so I am really pumped because I adore them. Hi ladies! xoxo
So on Monday we ran 3 miles on Isle of Hope. I love the houses out there and am trying to convince my parents to move there… to the Bluff. Because of this.
So Monday came and went and then came Tuesday….
I tweeted about some tips for open water swims as it would be my first. Thanks for all the tips! I am a strong swimmer, it’s my favorite and best of the three tri sports. I have just never really open water swam before. Sure, I have frolicked in the ocean. I am a certified PADI Rescue Diver… but swim a mile in the ocean or river. Nope. Am I going to swim in circles due to murky water? I can’t flip turn! How do I know I have gone a mile? What if I get a calf cramp?! SHARKS! We are going to be swimming at dusk… ummm hello. Feeding time. And gators. Ew.
Once I pulled up to my run buds’ Maureen & Richards’ house, also members of the Savannah Tri Team, I felt at ease. Everyone is so relaxed and I was amongst veteran athletes. Plus Richard was going to be kayaking along side and I just knew he would take the paddle and swat off any predators for me.
So we dove right in and off we went. Or so I thought.
Once we rounded the corner it was like hitting a ton of bricks. Eh. Current. I swear I looked at the same damn shrimp boat that was docked for about ten minutes, so did a few other swimmers. Well hell, this was depressing. I think my portion of the group only did about half a mile out in like 37 minutes. WTH. In college (D3 athletics, mind you), I swam the mile in like 20 or under- per my memory and based off my 100′s and 500′s times. Pool times vs open water times.
I didn’t exhaust myself, I was never out of breath so I guess I could have pushed a lot more. I was nervous that I would not be able to help myself out there for some reason I guess. Weird, being that I used to save others as a lifeguard and diver. Oh well. Next time, I am pushing it and I WILL work my way up to the front…. and swim the mile then back….
Tuesday came and gone, and Wednesday was another early morning for CREW. We met out at Thunderbolt. (Coach Joey, if you are reading… see Thunderbolt… not just some place in Savannah! ha).
Head Trainer Lydia explained interval training and everyone was excited to try it for the first time. Everyone did great whether they tried the intervals or not!
And a gorgeous view too!
So there you have it! Runs, open water swim and gorgeous views. Thank you Savannah (and for full disclosure… Thunderbolt… which is a Town in the same County as Savannah).
And what am I doing this weekend, you ask?
Well getting dirty!!!
I am running the JCB Mud Run. 4.3 Miles with 10 obstacles. I hear you have to duct tape your shoes on, wear goggles, and prepare to swim. I. CAN’T. WAIT.
Oh and it’s in teams. Sadly hubby can’t go… so I have a replacement (no, not like that)… oh and a special outfit. This is Victoria Runs after all 
Q: What are YOU running this weekend? Any tips for a mud run?
Glad you weren’t eaten by a shark. That would have sucked to lose my “personal assistant”.
Also, my only requirement for Saturday night dinner is that you shower the mud off. Just saying
XOXO
I may leave some under my finger nails just because
Have fun gittin’ all muddy!
Sure will!! Can’t wait for it!
I just did a mud run and LOVED it – well I loved the part that wasn’t up hill. The obstacles and mud were definitely fun!
Which one did you do? xoxo
I’m pretty sure I’d be shark bait.
I put twinkies on the fast peoples’ toes…
Sharks like twinkies
Wow you are brave! You must really be a strong swimmer if you weren’t winded from the current!! I can do maybe 2 laps and I’m winded…Can’t wait for mud run madness:-)
I can’t wait either! I am going tonight or tomorrow to get our socks! And swimming is my strong suit. I can’t wait to push myself more in the open water!
Have fun at the Mud Run. I want to do this next year!
I keep seeing how you mentor runners, which is fabulous! How does this work? Are you training them to run better and how can I get in on this? HAHA! I could always use a running partner or group but I don’t know where to look.
YES! I am a mentor with Fleet Feet’s CREW program- http://www.fleetfeetsavannah.com/crew Check it out, we’d love to have you. We help people build from the ground up or develop the skills they already have!
Good for you getting out there in the open water! It definitely is different than swimming in the pool, it can be frustrating but it is still really exciting. Great workouts!
It is so different then swim swim flip swim swim flip. But I loved it!
Just a fun training run for me this weekend.
Running in the mud? Never have, but I would imagine it’s like running in the rain. You can’t be afraid to get wet (or muddy). Just embrace it, dive in, slosh around and know you are going to be filthy.
Let me just say… I saw your RT and I was like HOLD THE PHONE. Then I realized once I read it all, it wasn’t spam. You. Are. Awesome. The end.
And heck yes to sloshing in mud!!
I am glad no water creatures got you.
Can’t wait to see the mud run outfit! have a great race.
Thanks girl!!! xoxo
I don’t mind playing in open water, but I’m so not an open water swimmer.
Have fun at the mud run this weekend!