On Sunday, June 8th, I completed the 1-mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. This race served as a perfect trial run for the 4.4-mile Chesapeake Bay Swim, which I'm considering for next year, and also allowed me to gain more experience in a cold-water wetsuit swim. For those following my swimming progress, I'm thrilled to report a smooth and uneventful experience: no panic attacks, no cold water shock, and no breathing struggles. Everything went off without a hitch. Arriving an hour early, I was second in line for the swimmer bus, which gave me the opportunity to meet Maggie. She was the epitome of humility and encouragement, offering practical advice like tucking extra goggles into my wetsuit and even providing castile soap for post-race wetsuit cleaning. Maggie, who invited me to her tent to hang out, is an extraordinary triathlete. She began competing at 55 and, at 70, is still breaking records, including participating in five world championship sprint triathlons across the globe! Her swim story was truly inspiring, and I'm looking forward to staying in touch and following her continued journey. The race itself was thankfully uneventful. The water temperature was agreeable, the chop minimal, and the wind cooperative, leading to a delightful swim. While a hair and swim cap issue led me to swim about 500 yards off course initially, I quickly recharted and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I'm now seriously contemplating entering the lottery for next year's iconic 4.4-mile Chesapeake Bay crossing. Regardless of my decision for that particular race, one thing is certain: there's more open water swimming in my future.
