I swim with a U.S. Masters swim team and am at various workouts depending on the day. Sometimes it’s during the day or in the evening. I am not an early morning workout girl so no dice on the 5:30A practice, thanks.
I end up laughing a lot at the night workout. I’m convinced it’s because people are ending their day in the best possible way. We’re happy to be in the water. Glad to have shown up and put in the effort. The fun usually continues in the locker room where discussions are often hilarious. I wish I could reveal the subject matter, but that would break locker room privacy etiquette. We’ll leave it at this: It’s not declared a success unless some of us are giggling so much we can’t talk.
This weekend the crew we call Ladies of the Night (a nod to our 7P workout crew), are swimming in the Trans Tahoe Relay once again. There are six of us swimming, in relay fashion, from the Nevada side of the lake to the California side. The swim is 11-12 miles depending if you swim straight or not. It is a four+ hour event where we switch off swimming solo for 30 minutes at a time.
The weather and water conditions are always a gamble. We are not allowed to wear wetsuits so yes, it’s cold. It gets wavier as the day wears on too. Additionally, we have to prepare for the possibility of hypothermia. You never know what you are going to get until the morning of the race. 200 boats contribute to the chaos, trying to find their first swimmer out of the chute. This day is an unforgettable experience. We get to enjoy this magnificent gift called Lake Tahoe.
I have yet to find a similar encounter than the Trans Tahoe Relay. For 30 minutes each it’s you, the water and a spiritual blend for your senses. Water in this lake is crystal clear. Swimmers can see their hand gliding into the water at each stroke. The sun shines into the water at an angle ahead of you, so the dark blue turns turquoise and varying shades in between. The color of the water is both beautiful and calming. The majority of the lake is as deep as the ocean, so you aren’t likely to see the bottom. There is a boat escorting you during your time in the water, yet you hardly hear anything at all. There is no taste or smell unless you get too close to a boat, which I don’t recommend for many reasons.
I fall into a swimming rhythm and watch the mountains as they come into view when I take each breath. I’ll see another swimmer or glance at our boat, but for the most part, this is my alone time. This swim is cathartic. The Trans Tahoe Relay is a race with awards for the teams who arrive at the other side first. But, for many of us, this “race” is about the journey we take to cross the lake. It is equal parts accomplishment, and fun. I am sure the endeavor means many different things, depending on the person. It can be about overcoming fears, celebrating life, fitness, or love of swimming. This journey can mean leaving worries behind. It can be about friendship, health, or our beautiful surroundings. Above all, this race is about living in the moment. May we celebrate every bit of it.
More in Perspective
