Last Spring as I was discussing possible 2022 goals with my coach, I found that I was itching to do another marathon swim. Swim Around Key West is still my all-time favorite swim/all-time favorite race, and I wanted to put something of that size back on the docket. Lake Tahoe swims caught my attention initially, and I considered the 12 miler, and possibly even the Trans Tahoe Relay with a collegiate swim friend who does the race with her hubs and their friends most years. That relay sitch did not work out this time around but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a U of H swim reunion at this event, how incredible would that be, let’s do it ladies!!!!!! With no Tahoe for the summer, I began looking at other alternatives, and I stumbled across a gem that I wish I would have known about years ago!!! The Tex Robertson Highland Lake Challenge, put on by Sandy Neilson-Bell and Dr. Keith Bell (totally read all of his psychology books for swimming back in the day!). The original format for the race is 5 lakes, 5 days in the Texas Hill Country. Lake Buchanan, Lake LBJ, Inks Lake, Marble Falls Lake, and concluding at Lake Travis, all varying distances. This year was the first year back since 2019, so it was 3 days, 3 lakes. I was intrigued immediately, and the best part would be that we could stay with my in-laws, and have the opportunity for some quality family time over the 4 days that we would be up there! I knew training would be tricky in the fall, with school just getting started back again, coaching cross country, and munchkin’s gymnastics comp season gearing up, it was going to be a very busy fall indeed! But I’m always up for a challenge, and decided to go for it! And I am so happy that I did, what an incredible and humbling race experience! Highly recommend this event for all avid swimmers!!!!!!!
DAY 1
Day one was a short 2.2 mile swim in Lake LBJ. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, a little crisp in the morning, but not cold, with zero wind. The lake looked like glass, it was beautiful! Such a chill vibe in the atmosphere, as we all checked in with Sandy we all talked about the weekend ahead, other open water swims we’ve done, open water swims that we want to do – it was so low key, but still very much a competitive bunch. There were 20 of us total that first day (such a small event, so cool!!!), and all we were allowed to have was a swimsuit, cap, goggles, and our swim safety buoy (not a huge fan of swimming with it in a race, felt like drag, but my attitude changed a bit about it on the third and final day, hahaha!). We also could not wear any type of watches or garmins, no technology allowed. This was difficult for those of us used to crunching numbers, but also a bit freeing in a way. Later I learned that a few of the athletes stuffed their garmins in their safety buoys to get some sort of reading, hahaha! The 2.2 mile loop was rectangular like, two orange buoys at either end of the rectangle, with an orange buoy at the dock that we had to touch when we finished. We started at that same dock, and when they counted us down to zero, we headed for the bridge in the distance, keeping the buoy to our left, swimming width wise to the next buoy, then rounding it and swimming length-wise to the buoys back across the lake. I felt really solid this whole swim, started off pretty quick, did not sight right on target for the first buoy, but was not too far off base. Course corrected, and kept hitting it. Was chasing rabbits, and these rabbits had orange safety buoys attached, so they were easy to see! I was the only one with a pink safety buoy (are you surprised? of course not!), so I was really easy to spot for the hubs, who had the opportunity to be out there all three days. They needed another boat out there, and since driving boats is pretty much his job, he gladly volunteered to be another safety boat out on the course! So fun that he was able to be a part of this event too! So I rounded the buoys at one end of the course and headed for the other side. Felt fantastic, still no winds so it was easy to cut right through the water with no problem! As I got ready to round the last set of buoys is where I went off course more than I should have, and added to my distance (others did as well, and still others were about to cut the 2nd buoy out completely and just head to the finish, until they were corrected). So looking at it visually, the last couple of buoys looked like they were directly across from one another, when in fact, the 2nd one was more at a diagonal (it was not the same set up as the first 2 at the bridge at the first half of the race), so I rounded the first buoy, and swam across the lake looking for the 2nd buoy – I was feeling so strong I did not want to stop (I should have stopped, hahaha), so I just kept swimming, figuring the buoy would appear at any moment. It did not, because it was not there. I finally popped my head up and looked around, and the pontoon boat stationed at the end of the buoys with the volunteers were trying to get my attention, and were pointing to where I was supposed to go. I finally realized I was off course and swam for the 2nd buoy, and as I rounded that one, I could see the finish in sight! Still felt amazing in the water and sprinted to the finish! Final time 1:02:34! Those of us who veered off course estimated the extra distance to be between .2-.3, so still a solid swim! I honestly do not know my final placing, hubs said he thought he counted me as 8th, not sure if I was 2nd or 3rd woman to finish. Which I was totally pumped about with this crew. There were collegiate athletes, marathon swimmers, masters swimmers, and the like. Everyone was competitive. I finished that 2.2 miler, and those behind me finished one after the other. There were no stragglers, everyone was a strong swimmer out there, and it was so fun trying to stay with the beast groups. The overall female winner for the weekend swam the 8 mile Lighthouse swim in Islamorada when she was 15 years old just to give you an idea of what I am saying! Like holy moly I was so impressed with the swim versatility in this group!!! First day was a success, we all took a group pic at the end, then it was off to refuel and rest up for Inks Lake on Day 2!
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DAY 2
This was my FAVORITE day of the three!!!! Point to point 3.2 miler in Inks Lake, no buoys to sight, just hit it right from the start, and keep the gas on! Also the finish was at Camp Longhorn which was so cool because my kiddos at school had always talked about how awesome this camp was over the years, and now I was seeing that camp in person! We were starting at the dam upstream, and then swimming downstream to Camp Longhorn. We all piled into several boats after the swim safety briefing, and headed for the dam. I had given my parka to hubs, and just took a towel to wrap around myself for the boat ride, it wasn’t too chilly in the air that morning. We all chatted about previous swims we had done on the way out, looking back to follow the path that we would be swimming on the way back. As we neared the dam, I noticed my hubs was driving one of the boats, didn’t realize he was going to drive this day, would have hopped in his boat if I had known! Of course, in full race mode, the first thing I said to him when I saw him (instead of great to see you out here!) was where is all of my stuff?? Hahaha! Luckily he had dropped it at the race start with most of the other gear, I would need that parka straightaway after coming out of this swim. We waved and he wished me luck, and off the boat I went. Eeeeeeee that water was pretty chilly! Swam to the start buoy trying to warm myself up. Countdown started, and soon we were racing towards Camp Longhorn. Didn’t stay with the front pack long, but the pack after that we stayed together for a big chunk of the race. There were 4 of us, and we just kept swimming with each other, moving in front of each other, behind each other, next to other – the positions just kept changing as we moved along. Hubs said it was pretty cool to watch, there we were, with plenty of room, all grouped together. I hung on as long as I could – I felt as strong on day 2 as I did on day 1, and I was totally digging this point to point swim, I was determined to empty the tank all the way! Probably about three quarters of a mile out from the finish they started to pull away just a bit, and at this point we also started to feel the wind and chop. The big hillsides had protected us the majority of the swim, but as we neared the end, we would begin to encounter choppier waters. By at about a half mile to go, I could tell I was definitely putting more effort into each stroke because of the conditions, but it was not super significant. At about 500 yards or so from the finish the chop became more significant, and it was just a fight all the way in at that point! Challenge accepted! Pushed hard all the way into that orange buoy! Final time 1:18:33!!! Yassssss!!!! So super stoked about that effort!!!! Again, hubs thought he counted me as 9th, I think 3rd woman. But honestly, it didn’t even matter, it was anyone’s race, such a competitive field, and I was so humbled to be out there experiencing this race with all of these incredible swimmers!!!! As I climbed the ladder at the finish, the super choppy water and waves reminded me of climbing the ladder of the diving boat at the oil rig at the Flower Gardens years ago in similar conditions, except then the ladder also bobbed up and down with the boat (hahaha!) so it was awesome in this case that the dock did not move, lol! As I hopped out and visited with the other finishers, I was extremely grateful to see my parka sitting there with all of the gear – parka and beanie went on asap, I was super chilly after that swim! Hubs drove the boat up not too long after, and at that point we saw the pontoon just down the way following the last 2 swimmers. Again, the whole crew (today it was 22 of us) was in and out of the swim pretty quickly, I think everyone finished around the 1:40ish mark! 2 down, 1 to go!!!!!!!!!
DAY 3
Oh man day 3. I guess it was fitting Mother Nature saved the toughest for last. So Sunday was projected to also be a windy day, except there would not be any protection in Lake Buchanan. It was wide open for the whole 3.2 mile swim. This lake is usually first on the docket in the 5 day series, and it was the only one that had previously required a kayaker sherpa per swimmer. It also was usually a longer swim, a little over 4 miles. If I had this day to do over again, I would have asked hubs to suit up and kayak for me (although later in the race they would need him to pull out their boat that died so he was still plenty busy), but I still gleaned plenty out of this sucker going solo, so maybe I wouldn’t change anything at all. Right from the start we were pummeled. The race map looked a little like a rectangular trapezoid, we were going into the wind first, then would have a tailwind when we went all the way across the lake to the next buoy. It didn’t matter. You couldn’t see shit. The orange buoys were not large enough to really see over the waves, it was definitely difficult to sight a line…the entire race. After fighting wave after wave heading towards buoy #1, I realized I was quite a bit off, so I swam diagonally to right myself, and fought as hard as I could through the waves. I was relieved as I finally approached the buoy, and we only had to touch it, and then head for the next one. As I changed directions and headed across the lake, I was passed, and I tried to follow the orange safety buoy in front as long as I could but it was short lived. Eventually, there was a kayak next to me, but I didn’t really feel much better about that at that time, since the kayak had nearly slammed into me on several occasions. It was tough conditions for a kayaker too, and if you were not a seasoned, reasonably strong one, it was going to be a strugglebus day out there. So I finally popped my head up next to my kayaker and asked where the buoy was, I couldn’t see it! He pointed across the lake, and I could finally make it out. So I kept plugging away. The tailwind was deceptive as far as the help you might think it could provide. You almost felt like you were about to body surf, until the wave pulled you back, they were too short and too choppy. I took some strong strokes and popped up to keep the buoy in sight. I repeated this process over and over again in what felt like forever. Eventually, my kayaker gets in front of me, and I pop up, and he says, I’m so sorry, not that buoy, but that other one over there. I look where he is pointing and it is diagonal from the other one, so not too bad of an adjustment. I said thank you, and continued on my way. So, somewhere in here my kayaker disappeared, and the buoy seemed to get farther and farther away. I was exhausted fighting through all the chop, but my spirits were high as I got closer to the buoy and was getting ready to turn on the home stretch. Except as I was almost to the buoy, I realized that I was almost nearly on shore! WTAF?!?! Long story short, this buoy, as well as the finish buoy, blew off of their lines. The race director told us post-race that this was the 2nd worst conditions at this lake in the 13 years of having this event, and she was going to go pull all of the swimmers out of the water, except the boat died. So back to my shore debacle, I did some doggy paddle to get myself out of there, and did a little breaststroke to get my bearings. There were tree branches sticking out of this shallow cove all over the place, so quite a bit of breaststroke so I could see where I was going. Then I’d do some freestyle, then I’d see the branches again, so more breaststroke. At this point, I couldn’t see the finish (since the buoy blew away), had no idea where I was going, and wondered if they were about to come pick me up and tell me I had DNFed (I could not see any kayakers or swimmers anywhere, I felt like I must have been the very last one out there). For the first time in my life, I was a bit uncomfortable in the water, and suddenly could see that bridge where those who might not be comfortable at all could have some anxiety attacks in these type of situations. I continued to do some breaststroke, and a couple freestyle strokes. I wanted to do water polo freestyle, but that was a no go because I would swallow too much water while getting pummeled in the face by the waves. I turned around to look back at the buoy, and suddenly I saw the pontoon boat. Are they coming to pick me up?? Is this race going to be a DNF?? The boat made it to shore but didn’t seem to be moving (it died, and if I had stayed a bit longer right there, I would have seen hubs drive up in the jet ski to pull it out) and there were kayakers heading my way as well. I waved at them, and this older gentleman got to me first, and I am sad that I forget his name (he told me several times when I asked him, I just cannot recall it) because this man guided me all the way into the finish which I was so super grateful for. It had crossed my mind before I saw anyone that I might even have to swim to the shore closest to me and walk it back, I couldn’t just be out there fighting those waves all day, not going in a general direction. So my kayaker asked if I could see the next buoy and of course I could not, so he told me to follow his line. Forever and a year later, I made it to the buoy, touched it, and headed to the finish. Of course I couldn’t see where that was either, and again my kayaker told me to follow his line. I was starting to get cold, I was ready for this sucker to be done, I pushed as hard as I could in the cross wind and super choppy chop. On the shore they were trying to hold up bright items like bright pink parkas, and even a bright orange kayak. It was just so hard to see, really needed that buoy as a guidepost. I just kept with my kayaker, and about 500 yards out I finally saw shore, and hubs was standing there in the water in front of the others on shore, and when I could see bottom, I put my feet down, threw my hands in the air, and teared up. I gave hubs a huge hug, thanked my kayaker sherpa profusely, and just kept repeating, I was lost out there, I didn’t know where to go, I was so lost. That’s when the race director explained with the gnarly conditions she was going to pull us but then the boat had problems. Another spectator mentioned that they had eyes on me on shore, they could see when I was in that shallow cove, so that was good to hear. I asked if my time counted, and they said yes it surely did! Final time 2:10:35, who knows how far I really swam with the detour, but the swim was for sure the slowest of the three. But I was most proud of this one. It was so damn hard, and I was so uncomfortable in parts of it, but what great open water experience to deposit in the bank! There were 2 more competitors left to go, so we cheered them into shore (just 13 swimmers on this day, I was just thrilled to be able to finish this race!). Afterwards hubs went back out on the jet ski to help tow in a guy on a paddle board (the race director crew wasn’t sure he could make it in and would need help) but when hubs got out there, the paddler said that he had it. That guy was a beast to be a paddler sherpa for us in those conditions!
Overall, what an incredible weekend of open water racing!!! Loved that the hubs was able to participate in one way or another and be out there with me during all of those races as well!!! Loved that we got all of the extra quality family time while we were out there!!! So grateful to Coach Hillary for getting me ready to race in this event with my crazy fall schedule!!! I cannot recommend the Tex Robertson Highland Lakes Challenge Race enough!!!!! I will most definitely be back!!!!! Next race up is a 50K this coming weekend!!!!! What an awesome season of fall racing!!!!! Yasssssssssssss!!!!!
