Lakeman Bhopal
Going into the 5k swim in Bhopal, I was not sure whether I was undercooked or well-rested!
First practice session on Friday was perfect! Perfect swimming conditions - Bhopal’s bada talab was just like a giant swimming pool. I was thinking about doing a 10k instead of the planned 5k. Some disorientation in the lake during the first practice session for a few minutes. Got over it and did a 2k swim or so. My method for getting over disorientation: bubbling.
The second practice session on Saturday was tough. My first experience of a choppy lake. Some struggle initially. But I did about 1.5k on Saturday, too. I thought surely the lake can’t get worse, and it would be calm on race day. I was so wrong.
Heavy rainfall all night, strong winds, and the lake was so much worse! Terribly choppy. The water level was about 1.5-2 feet higher than the previous day. I thought there was no way the organisers could go ahead with the event in these conditions. But they were extremely professional and well organised. It took some time to put in the sighting buoys and get the venue ready, but the event was on.
Standing on the deck before the race, I didn’t feel excited, scared, or nervous; it was a feeling of nothingness. Just neutral emotions. Which I feel is a good thing!
Race started at about 7 am. Started swimming and felt like I was an insect in this giant washing machine - and it continued to feel more or less the same throughout. It became slightly easier towards the end, or did I just get used to it?! It was just hard work. Each stroke was a grind.
My inability to swim in a straight line probably cost me 30 minutes or more. It was my first open water outing when I did not have a panic attack. Some disorientation, but no panic attack.
Overall, a decent race, a good venue and a great set of people. Are open water swimmers all good people? Would love to go to Bhopal for a swim again.