Swimming in the Rain

A Tale of Three Winter Swimming Meets
     In sunny California, 2023 started out a little bit differently. Rain, rain, lots of rain! We have been in a severe, very worrisome drought and we need the rain.  But for us swimmers competing in outdoor pools, these storms are presenting some challenges with unusually cold conditions, including lingering snow in Sonoma County and on the East Bay hills.
    Every year, the Santa Rosa Masters host a Resolution meet, kicking off the New Year in January. Previously held in an indoor facility, this year, the team was proud to showcase their new outdoor pool.
     Picture being outdoors in 40 degrees, in the wind, the rain, and the hail, clad only in a wet bathing suit, standing on the starting blocks, shivering, while the officials adjust the electronics. This scenario does not translate into swimming your best. For the first time in 8 years, I did not attend this meet. It wasn’t the inclement weather that held me back; I would have been there for the team, but I was scheduled to speak at a friend’s funeral service. (One moment for Jeannie.)
     I heard the storm pass through as I was sitting in a warm church, dressed in layers of wool, surrounded by cheerful flowers, and listening to beautiful music. I was disappointed to miss swimming but felt lucky to be where I was. My friends who attended the meet told me it took a few days to get the chill out of their bones.

1. Vacaville:

     The first competition I attended in 2023 was in Vacaville, a new Pentathlon event held on February 12. Outdoors again. I signed up with my hardy teammates and the trek became a team effort. Linda, Annette, Greg, Doug, and Jimmy. Go Mud Sharks!
     Coach warned us, “Bring warm clothes and drinks. The daytime temperature is expected to be 32 degrees.” That turned out to be an over-exaggeration; the thermometer read 41 degrees, with the wind chill temperature in the high 30s, which is cold enough. Thankfully, it did not rain and hail, like in Santa Rosa, and we even had some welcome rays of sunlight burst through the clouds every so often. We all swam well, considering the circumstances, cheered each other on, and commented that swimming in these adverse conditions is supposed to build character.
     This Vacaville meet featured a fun, final event: “Anything Goes for 50 Yards.”  Coach Sharlene suggested we do her favorite, a 50-IM, half a lap of each stroke. I intended to swim the two laps with feet-first sculling because I’m good at it. However, we were all on the verge of hypothermia by the time the event was starting, so, did not hang around for the fun. Maybe next year.

1. Albany:

    Two weeks later, on Saturday, February 25, Linda, Annette, and Greg once again braved the weather. The annual Albany Pentathlon had also previously been held indoors, but not this year! Outdoors again, same conditions: cold, windy, and damp. Thermometer reading was 46 degrees, but felt much colder than that, waiting for our heat number to be called. By now, we swimmers are not concerned with any of our times.  We are giving ourselves extra marks for just being there, thinking of how brave we all were, and all the character we were building.
    Both the Vacaville and the Albany meets were Short Course Pentathlons, offering the same set: 50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast, 50 Free, ending with a 100 IM. Under normal circumstances, this can be very fun, but the only fun part of this was when we were done, and on our way home in a warm car. However, we were very proud of ourselves for persevering.

1. Palo Alto:

     One week later, Sunday, March 5. The Senior Games, in Palo Alto, in yet another outdoor pool, about an hour and a half south of us. The three amigos, Linda, Annette, and Greg anxiously watched the weather reports. Sure enough, the forecast was calling for rain, in the mid-40s. We drove down together. The day started with warm sunny rays cutting through the water as we warmed up. We were feeling good. Basking in the sun like a lizard on a warm rock, Greg said, “This is nice.” I responded, “Don’t look over there.”
     The western sky was quickly darkening. The meet officials called a pause in the proceedings, and told everyone to take cover, as the hailstorm and heavy rain pummeled the pool deck. I had prepared by bringing my extra towels, equipment, drinks, and snacks, packed into a large, black garbage bag. It was not the classiest look but kept everything thankfully dry. When the squall passed, the meet resumed.
     Because of the inclement weather, not many of my fellow competitors swam. This is good for me, as I placed well, which translates to lots of points.
     My main competitor, Phyllis, swam with me at Albany and at the Senior Games. At those two meets, if I got second, Phyllis got first, and vice versa. We are very closely matched and take turns besting each other, which makes it fun. Thanks, Phyllis.
My results:
      Vacaville                  Place                    Albany      Place             Senior Games     Place
50 Fly……….45.31………1st                     46.05……….....2nd                
50 Back……43.00………2nd                     42.66…….........1st                    42.55……………..1st
50 Breast…51.98…….…1st                     51.25……..…....2nd                   52.83……………...1st
50 Free…….35.76………1st                   36.09………….....1st
100 IM……..1:34.67……1st               1:35.97…………......2nd                 1:36.37…….….….2nd
200 Free……………………………………………………………………………...........2:51.50……………1st
100 Back……………………………………………………………………………..........1:34.19..………….1st
200 Back………………………………………………………………………….........….3:16.65……………1st
The next competition will be the Short Course Champs, Morgan Hill, in April. Maybe the rains will have stopped by then? We can only hope.