We had the chance to ask 3 questions to one of our members who did the Vansbro swim today, 3km open river.
Why did you apply to Vansbro?
- I signed up because I had long dreamed/thought it would be cool to do a classic at some point in my life. I wanted to start with swimming so I wouldn't have cycling and swimming in the same year.
How did you feel before the race, what were you most nervous about?
- I'm always nervous/introvert before a race because I want to perform, but in this case there was also uncertainty about whether I would be able to do it (water is not a place where I feel comfortable). I often get panicky feelings from my heart racing and not being able to breathe.
How was the feeling during the race?
- The race started just like that…my heart rate was racing, as soon as I started crawling I panicked and had to do breaststroke. I got frustrated but started to think that I just have to accept that; getting to the finish line, regardless of swimming style and time, had to be the goal. After 1 km I started to get my heart rate under control and could crawl longer and longer sections.
The feeling during the race went from frustration, disappointment but slowly it turned around. At half the race I recognized myself and told myself that from here I have done it before. When I got to 1 km left, my self-confidence was almost at its peak.
And even though it was against the current, tighter, I got overswallowed and swam into people myself, that feeling stayed. SO incredibly nice to reach the finish line🙌
What would you like to convey to others who might be currently considering taking on a challenge?
-When I signed up, I asked my siblings if anyone wanted to come along and give me a lift. I got 3 siblings with me. When they were there, they were eager to swim too. For me at the finish line, the big win was to stand and watch them complete this challenge, which was much tougher for them.
You can do SO much more than you think!
