Thinking about 70.3 Durban there are two separate elements for me. The first one, the one of Trifactri coach was time spent building up to the start. The weekend spent with my team, team warm up and pre-race dinner. Lots of nervous messages and last minute advice. There was no time to think about my own race but that was something I knew would be the case before I entered. I entered this race because I knew I would be in Durban to support all the Trifactri athletes and that I would feel sad not to be racing on the beautiful Durban 70.3 course. I went to this race not worrying about the outcome but going there being excited to see efforts rewarded of everyone racing, from our top guys to half Ironman virgins. Atmosphere in the team didn't disappoint. There was lot of laughs, nerves and amazing spirit. I loved every moment of it. When I walked to the transition in the morning, I heard them to announce that swim was cancelled for all age groupers. I felt bad for them because all the guys worked really hard on the swim but safety first. Little did I know at that moment how right the decision was to cancel the age group swim. I quickly sent last minute messages to the group with slight changes to the nutrition plans, managed to talk to some of my athletes and headed to the beach for our pro swim start.
Once we finally got close to last exit buoy I was pretty relieved to know I was close to getting out. Just that the buoy now seemed to be completely away from where the exit was. After trying to fight our way towards the buoy all the boats and lifeguards came to us and shouted - swim right to the beach. To the beach, to be safe. Exit was maybe 300m away and I was sighting to the front for direction and then to the back, waiting for a wave to surf home. And then that wave came. But it was nothing you could surf. It came big and strong and took me and others in my group by surprise. It dumped me to the bottom of the sea and rolled me over. I tried to keep calm and head back to surface for much needed breath....but I didn't get a chance to do it. Just before I could surface, a second wave, exactly the same as the first caught me and I felt like tiny little doll being thrown around in the ocean. I didn't know where the bottom or surface was, all I could see was just white foam everywhere and my arms and legs were completely and helplessly flying around. I honestly think I only made it back to the surface thanks to my Sailfish wetsuit. Wetsuits make your body buoyant and that’s what got me back to the surface. Once there I looked for lifeguards and put my hand up. I knew if there was another wave, no matter how strong, I would not make it. I didn't think that, I knew it. I wasn't trying to swim anymore I was trying to survive. There were no lifeguards around and somehow I had to make it back to the shore with mix of breaststroke and freestyle, albeit with panic and fear in my eyes. Once there I began the run to transition but I had to stop a few times to throw up all the sea water I swallowed out there. All I could think of and tell everyone around was – “I almost drowned out there”. Well, luckily I didn't drown, nor did anyone else. But few of us were very close and I'm still struggling to get all those panic feelings and fear out of my head.
Rest of the race luckily wasn't as eventful. I tried to stay in front or on podium position as long as I could but there were three other girls better than me on Sunday. Annah put on brilliant race and took her first and very well deserved win and I'm looking forward to see her progress and carrier. I finished my run and the race with smile, loving watching every athlete, especially every Trifactri athlete racing. You guys are my never ending inspiration.
3 Comments
Magdalena stovickova
6/22/2016 07:20:56 pm
Lucie I went for a swim during hurricane season when all beaches were closed. I wanted to test the water. I had the same feelings you described. I was just a little doll being tossed in the ocean and I'm like you pretty strong swimmer. I. The US they would cancel the swim even for the pros. Safety first. I'm glad you are ok.
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Raghul Trekker
6/23/2016 07:33:31 am
You did a great job. Despite the giant waves you came first out of the water. Great!
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BRIAN LOUW
6/24/2016 06:24:00 am
Hey Lucie...well done...your report says it all......I was the transition director on the day and you looked at me with fiery scared eyes yet totally subdued and said ".....you should have cancelled the swim.....I nearly drowned out there......"....we are all VERY glad you made it.....you have been a great ambassador to the sport.....wishing you well for the future.....
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