Chennai Swimathon – My first 5km swim!

Swimming had always been a fun activity for me. I remember my school days when I used go to beach almost every day during summer to play in the waves before my school friends introduced me to marina swimming pool. Even though the pool was over-crowded but the joy of splashing in the waters with my friends encouraged me to visit it again and again. For me and my friends a summer day is incomplete without splashing in the water. Those days the only respite from summer heat were these pools. In a very amateurish manner watching other self-styled swimmers I also learnt my baby strokes in swimming and felt very delighted with the feeling that I was able to criss-cross the pool.

After exploring my luck with running it was time to explore triathlon and my only difficulty at that time was how I would be able to swim continuously 1.5km to self-acclaim myself a triathlete. Thought of swimming continuously was the biggest spoiler of my triathlete dream. I became a member in Anna swimming pool and started going there regularly in the morning to learn swimming, slowly and steadily on my own I was able to swim multiple laps and over a period of time gained confidence. Very soon I became a self-acclaimed half-iron triathlete. But the longest distance I had hitherto swam was 2 km at Nagalapuram east dam.

I wanted to challenge myself with a 5km swim at Chennai swimathon although I was confident to complete 2 km comfortably I realised that anything more than that required regular practise. I renewed my membership at Anna swimming pool and started my regular solo practice with self-motivation as a support.

After several months of hiatus, on 26.08.2018 when I went to velachery swimming pool I felt I was alien to sporting events. With the fear of whether I will cross the 5k mark I jumped inside the pool along with other swimmers. While 5 other fellow swimmers in my lane kept criss-crossing me I soon realised that I was the slowest swimmer in my lane. I felt like a heavy log in the pool while other swimmers where hunting like sharks.

But I told to myself that this swimathon is a test to myself and that I should find my rhythm and momentum to keep pushing myself rather than making false attempts to swim fast. After 1 km of difficult strides I gained my rhythm and discovered that if I had to complete this course I need to strictly hold on to this pace. As every kilometre I crossed I gained more confidence and felt very happy. I was able to feel my body float much better and my strokes getting swifter. By the time I completed 3.8km my lane became empty and I was blessed to swim the remaining 1.2km in that empty lane – a rare opportunity at city swimming pools.

After 3.15 hours in the water I finally crossed 5km mark re-discovering that my muscle and mind is still sticking to the passion for endurance sports.

Happy Swimming,

Durai Murugan