Returning to Scotland After a Few Years Away
The journey to Loch Lomond started on the Friday with a 4.5 hour drive through some terrible weather, which set my nerves on edge for the following day’s swim. Eventually the rain stopped and arriving at the guest house found it was only a 10-15 minute walk to event HQ at Loch Lomond Shores to register, which was a perfect and made up the for the horrible drive.
I’ve previously swam the 5km distance at this event, although I haven’t been back for a few years. It’s also a place where a few of us Swim Buddy’s met up just after the covid lock down, in the early days of the group, so its a place that holds good memories for me. I’ve taken part in several 5km, 8km and 8.5km events over the past few years but this was my first time taking on the 10km distance and at registration the reality set in.
The evening was spent taking it easy with a stroll while admiring the scenery and remembering my previous visits. Loch Lomond Shores is a beautiful place and my eyes were flitting everywhere to take in the views.
The forecast was showing a bit of rain later in the day for the swim, and was looking better than it had a day or so beforehand. I followed my established routine of eating pasta and drinking electrolytes for a couple of days on the run up to the swim.
I went to bed early and was feeling pretty relaxed, apart from a few nerves about the distance. This lasted right up until I woke up around 3:40am and couldn’t get back to sleep. When I did get up I felt exhausted and nerves for how I would manage on the swim kicked in big time!
Breakfast was the usual porridge, followed by more electrolytes and as it got closer to the start time, I munched on flapjack. Leaving the guest house for the short walk to the event, I was surprised how warm it was outside and the fresh air helped wake me up.
A brief stop at the registration area to order a hoodie and pick up a couple of patches from Adventure Shenanigans then it was off to the bag drop off.
The Go Swim Loch Lomond event has over 1000 swimmers taking part and swimming distances from 250m, 750m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 5,000m and 10,000m.
And we’re off!
I joined the pre-start area with the rest of the swimmers and it’s always good to swap smiles and few words with the other swimmers. I could see the mix of lion focus stare’s on some faces and the rest of us mortals still faffing with our goggles, trying to zip our wetsuits or just looking around and thinking ‘Uh oh, what on earth have I signed up for”.
The 10km and 5km distances were the first to start, then after the safety briefing it was time for Sharon (up on the stage) to dance us through some warm up exercises. Now, I have all the rhythm of penguin attempting the Macarena, so while everyone else was moving in time to the tunes I was throwing my arms around like I was calling the safety kayakers before I’d even entered the water.
We’d been told the water temperature was around 18.2 degrees and after spending the past few months in water of 20+ degrees I was expecting it to feel a lot cooler. We were filtered in small groups down the slipway and from the moment my toes entered, to submerging my body and taking my first strokes, the water felt wonderful. Setting off is always a bit busy as we exit the slipway area but after a few strokes we began breaking out into open water.
Over recent months my pool swims tend to be short distances with faster intervals and an average pace of 1:48/100m. When I get in the lake I naturally slow down to a longer more relaxed stroke with my pace settling at 2:08/100m. Although I’m never going to be the fastest, I like to think my pace is fairly reasonable for a guy in his mid 50’s.
Its a 1250m course with 8 loops to complete the 10km and before even entering the water, I’d decided I would take it steady. The cut off time was 5hrs and I’d set myself a target finish time of around 4hrs. My plan was to stay outside of the packs and settle into my own rhythm. There was going to be no rushing or racing, I was just going to enjoy the swim and get to the finish without needing a lift from the safety crews.
The water was lovely, calm and a perfect temperature, with the sun breaking through the clouds. Each time I turned to breathe the mountains and surrounding views looked truly stunning.
The end of the loop was slightly weedy and I always enjoy looking to see if I can spot any wildlife hidden amongst the weeds. I’m convinced there is nothing fish would enjoy more than watching all us swimmers go flailing past.
After the first couple of loops I could feel my arms loosening and the tightness in body easing as I relaxed into the swim. As I reached the end of the 4th loop, I realised (with a bit of disbelief) that I was already passing the half way mark. After a quick mental check I knew I was definitely on to my 5th loop, so with an inward smile I motored on.
I was still feeling relaxed as I went through the 5th loop and on to my 6th. As I continued on I started finding myself in the occasional pack when some of the other distance events joined the swim. After getting caught up in a bit of chaos with a random slap or two, I paused for maybe a second to find a gap and carried on.
Climbing on my Soapbox
One thing I’ve noticed this year (more than previous years), is that sighting skills seem to have become poorer. It’s not been unusual to feel myself getting slapped at some point during a swim, which is a bit of a surprise because I’m not a small guy and should be pretty easy to spot. Luckily, I can hold my ground (water) when this happens but I can certainly understand that for smaller or less confident swimmers this can be disconcerting to say the least.
I’ve spoken to a few people about this and appears to be a pattern being repeated across swim venues / events. I don’t know why it’s more prevalent this year, although I wonder if it’s because more swimmers are just getting in the water and not having basic coaching / guidance that would encourage good sighting skills.
So, if you’re one those swimmers that force your way through, swimming over people or regularly clouting other swimmers, then please attend a couple of coaching sessions. It’ll make you a better swimmer and save the rest of us from being used as floating speed bumps.
Ok, I’ll jump down from my soapbox and get back to the event.
The End in Sight
During the brief pause I had earlier in the 6th loop, I’d felt the tiniest hint of cramp as my body position altered. Being cautious I decided I wouldn’t stop at the feed station and risk cramp setting in. Starting on my 7th loop I could feel the beginnings of tiredness creeping in. My stroke, technique and how I was moving through the water still felt smooth (probably didn’t look that way to the support kayakers) but as my swim continued I could feel my pace slowing.
By the time I started my 8th and final loop, there wasn’t the beginnings of tiredness anymore…I was knackered!!!
It was my last loop though, so there was no way I wasn’t finishing this swim!
Yes, I was tired but I also knew I still had energy left in me so long as I stuck to the plan and took it steady. No trying to overtake anyone or getting into any home stretch chase, this was about enjoying the swim. As I turned the final corner, I looked up and could see the finish, there came that inward smile again.
There was now no doubt, I would be getting out of the water under my own steam. As I got closer I began to kick my legs frantically to get the blood pumping. I raced through the final stretch of weeds (snails could have probably passed me by now) with the biggest internal smile.
I’m a Marathon Swimmer!!!
Finally, I could put my feet down and as I came out of the water a member of the support team was there with a helping hand.
Slowly and unsteadily as he helped me clear the waters edge, he joked “You made that look graceful”.
That was it, I’d actually completed it so I made my way up to receive my medal and get checked out of the water.
As I was trying to get my breath back at the barrier, a complete stranger came over and said “Excuse me, I just wanted to say well done I’m in awe of you swimming 10km. I did the 5km and just can’t imagine swimming that distance”.
After thanking her for her kind words (If you’re reading this, thank you again), the realisation really started to hit that I’d actually done it….I’d managed to swim 10km non-stop and can now say I’m marathon swimmer!!!
It puts a bloody great smile on my face every time I think about it.
Oh, and my time… 4 hrs 1 min 55 secs!
I know there are plenty who swim faster than me, plenty who think 10km is gentle training….
but…
Damn…
I swam 10km!!!!
