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SWIM ACROSS AMERICA I decided to help raise money and awareness for cancer research by participating in a 4-mile swim across Long Island Sound a couple months ago. I had never participated in such a long open water swim before and was really looking forward to this. The fundraiser was a huge success thanks to the help and support of friends and family here and overseas... |
5:30AM LARCHMONT YACHT CLUB
It was very calm outside and it took us less than 15 minutes to arrive at the Larchmont Yacht Club. We left plenty of room for error in order to ensure my check-in before the mandatory swimmers' meeting on shore at 7am. As soon as we parked the phone rang, some last minute cheers from my family in Casablanca.
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I was not at all nervous about the swim. I knew the distance would not be a factor since it takes me about 1 hour to swim between 3000 and 3500 meters - what I had been swimming on a daily basis for the past 14 months, albeit in indoor pools. The Greenwich Point Swim I did a few weeks ago increased my confidence in open water swimming. I always loved salt water and the extra buoyancy it provides.
We found our way to the large tent where volunteers were checking in hundreds of swimmers for the one- and four-mile events. (The six-mile swimmers already checked-in a whole hour earlier, and were probably already across the Sound to their starting point)
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After a mandatory interview with an official (Dave Z) during which I had to give him some information on my training and mainly assure him that I could swim one mile in less than 30 minutes, he cleared me for check in. I asked him about water temperature and he said about 70F, I thought to myself "awesome, excellent! No wetsuit - I'll just wear the speedsuit!" I signed the waiver and my arms as well as the pink swim cap were marked "137". Officially registered, I made my way to the breakfast buffet for some coffee and banana and just waited and waited and waited…
The harbor was peaceful and still. It was going to be a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. To my right, you could get a glimpse of nearby Manhattan and Long Island was standing straight ahead looking back at us.
More swimmers arrived in various shapes and sizes from all ages. Many swam as teams with team names on banners and t-shirts. There were roughly 1,000 signed up for the one-mile event, and 200 of us entered in the four-mile event. Six swimmers were doing six miles. Many swimmers were wearing full wetsuits, maybe they know something I don't, underwater cold currents? Jellyfish? I hope not!
7:25AM BRIEFING BEFORE THE SWIM
The meeting commenced by the flagpole at around 7:25. All swimmers gathered around on the lawn to listen to the race director. It was not a race, we were reminded. I was extremely calm, I knew that I had to pace myself – all along I was thinking about my little buddy the Tempo Trainer, the constant beep-beep-beep would help me stay focused. Should I set it at 1.40? too slow? How about 1.35…nooo let's do 1.38. I'll decide before jumping off the boat anyway.
We were told that the course had changed this year and that we would have large yellow buoys lining the course to our right and 100 yards apart large red buoys to our left. A giant balloon hoisted high above the Larchmont Shore Club marked our beach finish line. Kayakers would be present to assist anyone in distress.
7:45AM LOADING DOCKS
At around 7:45, we were told to go to the docks to board one of the yachts for a roughly 20-minute ride over to Sands Point. I boarded a yacht that was occupied mostly by high-school or college kids along with a few older people. They looked so young to me now, they seemed very cheerful and happy to do the swim. Everyone on the boat mostly seemed to know each other. At some point one of the swimmers realized that his wetsuit was inside-out. It took him literally about 20 minutes to take it off and put it back on, a group had to help him get out of this heavy suit. It was very entertaining and everyone had a good laugh. I was looking back at the balloon over the Shore Club getting smaller and smaller as we were approaching our starting point.
At around 7:45, we were told to go to the docks to board one of the yachts for a roughly 20-minute ride over to Sands Point. I boarded a yacht that was occupied mostly by high-school or college kids along with a few older people. They looked so young to me now, they seemed very cheerful and happy to do the swim. Everyone on the boat mostly seemed to know each other. At some point one of the swimmers realized that his wetsuit was inside-out. It took him literally about 20 minutes to take it off and put it back on, a group had to help him get out of this heavy suit. It was very entertaining and everyone had a good laugh. I was looking back at the balloon over the Shore Club getting smaller and smaller as we were approaching our starting point.
The boat slowed to an idle off the coast of Long Island and we awaited the start. Apparently we were delayed because we were waiting for the 6 mile swimmers to pass us by. Swimmers were now busy greasing themselves up with vaseline and sticks. I put on my cap, goggles, checked my spare goggles strapped to my diving belt, and started fiddling around with the Tempo Trainer, 1.38? 1.37? ok Let's do 1.38. I put it under my cap and I was ready.
Kayakers were idling around the yachts and we waited, the start was delayed by another 20 minutes. Beep, beep, beep, the Tempo Trainer was on the whole time. Then we hear cheers from other boats as they could finally see the 6 mile swimmers approach. Only 2 out of 6 passed by our boat and one of them, a former Olympian I presume, had powerful leg propulsion. I was thinking about my TI training principle and about how much energy is being wasted! Let's not forget that they were only 2 miles into the race, I wondered whether he could really keep it up for another 4 miles.
8:34AM RACE STARTS
Suddenly, at around 8:34am the signal came and people were jumping into the water. I jumped in feet first with a hand over my swedish goggles, I did not wish to lose them. I submerged and immediately started swimming. I would not stop until I got to shore.
Suddenly, at around 8:34am the signal came and people were jumping into the water. I jumped in feet first with a hand over my swedish goggles, I did not wish to lose them. I submerged and immediately started swimming. I would not stop until I got to shore.
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The water was pretty clean, but I could not see more than a foot underwater. The water was much darker than the Greenwich Point swim. At least there was no seaweed, no jellyfish, no garbage bags, no brown sludge or oil.
I felt good, peeked out to aim for the first buoy afar and then Beep-Stroke-Beep-Stroke-Beep-Stroke-Beep-Stroke-Breath-and…REPEAT….
After a few minutes I peeked again and started avoiding the other bodies around me that seemed to be changing direction erratically. The big red buoys to my left and the yellow ones to my right were easy to see and I knew that I was on course. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I gulped a few mouthfuls of salt water but that's to be expected it's the ocean after all. Besides, salt water is good for my sinuses.
I tried to peek up at every 5th breath or 20th stroke, to simulate my 25 yard pool practice sets. A few chops and waves mid-course were starting to disrupt my stroke but I had no trouble re-adjusting my tempo…I wish I could stop and re-adjust the Tempo Trainer to a faster pace, but let's not be presumptuous - I still have at least another hour to go.
I tried to peek up at every 5th breath or 20th stroke, to simulate my 25 yard pool practice sets. A few chops and waves mid-course were starting to disrupt my stroke but I had no trouble re-adjusting my tempo…I wish I could stop and re-adjust the Tempo Trainer to a faster pace, but let's not be presumptuous - I still have at least another hour to go.
About mid race, I heard a "Hey" from a kayaker who was following me, I stopped and looked up and said "yeah? " she replied "just 2 miles to go"…I was happy to get this feedback but wasn't thrilled to have to stop to hear it. This happened a few times during the course with different kayakers, I think the most annoying ones were the "You're doing great!...." I decided to ignore them for the rest of the course, it worked out pretty well.
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A few minutes after the 2 mile marker I started to navigate through a areas congested with swimmers. Other than that, it was a straight shot home. I never looked at my watch, but knew from the stiffness in my back that I was getting close when I had about a mile to go. I then started overtaking lots of swimmers with yellow caps. These were the one-mile swimmers who'd started at 9am. They were everywhere all at once and some of them were floating, not swimming. I had to weave around them and this would not stop until I reached the shore!
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9:52AM TOUCHDOWN!
I was getting out of the water and walked to the beach uphill through the sand and towards the finish line.
I heard a "Congratulations…Thank you for what you did! What a great achievement!" from a safety squad member who handed me the iconic Swim Across America white towel.
I felt great but a bit sore while he walked me to the finish table to check-out. I was handed a commemorative medal and walked towards the steep cement steps. I heard a "SAAD! SAAD!...", the sweet voice of Kira, upon looking up she snapped a few photos of me then another "HEY SAAD!", and there was my dear friend Majid who came along with the kids, Kenzy and Leila…It was great to see them.
I was getting out of the water and walked to the beach uphill through the sand and towards the finish line.
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I heard a "Congratulations…Thank you for what you did! What a great achievement!" from a safety squad member who handed me the iconic Swim Across America white towel.
I felt great but a bit sore while he walked me to the finish table to check-out. I was handed a commemorative medal and walked towards the steep cement steps. I heard a "SAAD! SAAD!...", the sweet voice of Kira, upon looking up she snapped a few photos of me then another "HEY SAAD!", and there was my dear friend Majid who came along with the kids, Kenzy and Leila…It was great to see them.
I grabbed a bottle of water while walking up the steps, I immediately needed a shower. After some big hugs, pictures with my friends and fans who came out to see the race and support the cause, I ran to the locker room. While taking my shower I was thinking that I should be able to do the 6 mile swim instead of the 4 mile swim, maybe some day.
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A full buffet awaited us but I was not hungry at all, I just needed some more water and maybe some bread.
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HOW DID I FEEL?
Never before had I participated in a fundraising event, it was truly a great experience. I was grateful for the opportunity to swim four miles. $1.2M was raised that day for a good cause and that's what mattered the most. Will I do it again? ABSOLUTELY.
I would like to thank EVERYONE who helped me participate in this event, I did it for you and your loved ones who we all still miss dearly.
Special thanks to: Majid Sabour (+Kenzy+Leila), Bruce and Penny Goldsmith, Roger and Tammy Goldsmith, Matthew Goldsmith, Jason Goldsmith, John Credaroli, Michele Firpo-Cappiello, Michael Lee, Mehdi and Salima El Boury, Sofia El Boury, Mama et Baba …and Kira El Boury
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