Triathlon training: Least favorite work out

So, you may now know that I am training for a triathlon August 15 in Fall Creek Falls, TN. It looks to be a gorgeous course, with a wooded trail run, bike ride through the park, and lake swim.

Lake swim?

Now you may have heard me thinking about doing the July triathlon in Nashville, but I was hesitant about swimming in the Cumberland River and then, around 10 am, trying to run 10 k through the downtown streets. Asphalt + buildings + summer heat = misery.

So when I found this other triathlon, just two hours away and in a state park where we can camp (yippeeee!), I thought brilliant. And I can practice the lake swim when I'm in Reston, visiting my family.

But I forgot 1. how nasty the lake gets this time of year
2. That these guys have been scarring me ever since I can remember:


"What?" You say? That doesn't scare the bejeezus out of you?

Okay, how about this:








No, not the bald guy. The TURTLE! FEAR THE TURTLE! (Ok, not the University of Maryland).

I always imagined one of these guys pulling me under, as I've seen happen to carp.

So imagine my chagrin as I lower myself into the filthy water and, for 20 minutes (I only managed about 1 km), tried not to show my mother, who graciously paddled alongside me, the fear that was pulsing through my body.

Now, as my brother told me later, my mother would not have been able to save me from "Old Snapper". And he's right. But she could have at least told the rescue team where to find my body.

In the future, I'll work on getting moves like this guy, and not fear the next few open water swims I'll be doing while in DC.

And just ask me: I can already do that thing with my voice. Happy to perform in person.