Look Out!



Look Out!

 Arizona Sports and Lifestyle Magazine - 

 features Jacee what she is up to today and her goals for the future.  Review the article on page 44 of the link.

http://www.azsal.com/Issues/v4.6.htm

My First 10k Swim

The excitiment of summer has dwindled down but the memories are still stronger than ever! On August 19, 2012, Jacee made the decision to complete her first 10k Swim. A bold feat in itself for anyone but, being 13-years-old and swimming that distance, is a different story.  After an awesome pool season that ended on August 6th, Jacee began to focus on her first 10k. The distance is about 6.2 miles for the miles translation.

She was ready for the start and Ky Hurst had just come off the London Olympics and he was very encouraging. Alex Kostich, Jen Shumacher and Michael Sheil were there for the challenge of the 12.6 mile race. They were all very excited. The 12.6 miles is exciting race in itself. In case, you did not know this is the Optimis Sport Distance Challenge Race and it has distances for everyone.

As the horn sounded for the 10k, I have to say, watching Ky Hurst clear the waves like he was running on land was amazing! The field was just beginning to clear the waves as Ky was about 50 yards from the first buoy. Jacee was in the lead pack clearing the waves with ease and she was focused on the leader for as long as she could see him. That wasn't long, trust me!

The check points are approximately, every 1.2 miles. Jacee learned last year to utilize the check points effectively, to swim well. There are drinks, fruit and gel packs for those that need them. Early nuturition would be the key, in a different race immediately following the 10k. As Jacee fueled for the next 1.2 mile portion of the race she headed out jumping through the five foot waves and swimming to the next check point. She was on her way and swimming comfortably knowing she had 8.8k to go.

Turning at the buoy, the relaxation of being in the open ocean and swimming is what Jacee was designed for, she loves this sport! Heading to the next check point she was greeted wtih a high five from Jim, being a great encourager to all of the participants. She fueled again and as she was leaving the cheering began, Mom had arrived.

With each check point Jacee's  confidence and strength grew  to move through the next 1.2 mile portion of the swim. The crowds were at the finish line cheering on all of the finishers and participants. What a fun and sunny day for a swim. The different waves of swimmers were going through the start and finish shoots and the excitement of completing the distances was enjoyed by all.

Ky Hurst completed his 10k race in 2:01.xx he was just as energized at the finish. Jacee completed her race in 3:01.xx and she headed straight to the refueling table. As she was eating she saw the 1000  meter start and asked if she could swim the 500 meter swim.

Wow, who would ever think she would want to do that after a 10k. She checked-in with the ever so wonderful, Jessica and received her cap for the 500 meter race. I have to say, watching Jacee clear the waves in that swim made my smile because she had the business down, and was looking like she was running on land. Jacee cleared the buoy and came into the finish in just over 10:20.xx.

Please reemember when you decided at the last minute to enter a race the timing chip should probably be put on your ankle before the start of the race. The time is unofficial for the 500 meter race but she did clearly win that race. The timing chip was missed by all. In the end it was not about the time it was about having fun doing something you love. Whether you were the cheerleader on the shore or the swimmer testing your skills. Fun was the name of the game this day!

Big Big Waves

January 27, 2012

Jacee arrived at La Jolla Cove late in the afternoon. The surf was up and she was excited to jump in and learn about big waves. Jacee was asked; by Doug if she felt she could go out? Jacee reviewed the surf and decided to go out and take a short swim to see what she was made of that day. This surf is not swum by many because it is very challenging! Do not attempt this unless you are an experience open water swimmer and have an even more confident and experience escort swimmer. These waves are dangerous, if you do not have many years of experience with them. Yes, Doug checked in with the lifeguards, who paid close attention, while Jacee was out there. Carefully, Doug explained the sets that were coming in, as they waited out the really big waves before heading out. This is not about rushing it is about a learning experience for Jacee. She must and I repeat must follow the instructions of what she is being taught.

Patience prevailed, the large sets gave way to the smaller sets, Jacee and Doug headed out to the first buoy just, outside the wave sets. I was able to sense relief in Jacee as she cleared the waves. Jacee and Doug came back from the short swim and began to work through the larger sets of waves. Doug has many, many years of experience in all types of conditions and knows what Jacee is capable of doing. Erring on the side of caution with Jacee, rather than taking a risk in the open water, is how Doug trains Jacee. As I watched, I could see the caution that Jacee was operating in, carefully moving into the waves that were coming at her. She was learning to “hang in the wave”, challenged, feeling great respect with her new experience. Jacee has been in tough conditions but training for success is the key to a great open water swimmer. When Jacee came in she stated, “That was a little tougher than it looked.” She was processing the waves and went to warm up.

The next morning, Jacee was excited and the surf was way down. She really wanted a big day in swimming. Doug, Dan and Jacee decided to swim pier to cove. It was a sunny and bright day, the best I have seen in a long time. The conditions were modest; the water was about 58 degrees. Surfers were having a great time in the waves. The surfers and waves were plentiful. As Jacee, Doug and Dan began to shuffle out to the surf, there was excited anticipation for the swim. They each jumped into the waves and they were off! Enjoying their afternoon swim!

About 45 minutes later they were swimming past the buoy near the cove. Doug was in the lead, Jacee and Dan were close behind but this day would be Doug’s and he was determined, he would hit the sand first. Jacee and Dan stood on the rock since the tide was low. Jacee figured out why she needed to be careful out there, as she pushed off, she cut her foot. Yes, it was what she wanted to do but, the words of caution about playing on the rock came stingingly through. They headed to shore where Jacee was met by another swimmer and she went directly out, a short swim back to the buoy and in. She had met one of the clubs newest Triple Crown Marathon Swimmer’s. Jacee came up the stairs to have a sandwich and drink some fluids and patiently wait for the next group of swimmers. Jacee had about two miles under her belt and wanted more. Her friend Tom came down from the street to prepare for his swim. He had just successfully swum Cook’s Strait becoming the oldest person to ever swim that in 10 hours and about 39 minutes. She was so, excited for him! They spent some time discussing the conditions of his swim and learned about his trip. Congratulations, Tom!

A short time later, her friend Carson arrived after his duathlon, he wanted to head out with the group. The chatter was exciting as everyone was getting ready to head out, on the next swimming adventure! Jacee had eaten and properly hydrated and was ready to head out with another group of swimmers. As the group headed out, Jacee still looked strong and was delighting in the swim. The conditions were picking up from earlier in the day, as the group passed the first buoy and headed out to the next buoy. What a day of swimming for Jacee! She had swum with some many wonderful friends and team members, she was still going! The “Energizer Bunny” had nothing on Jacee that day. As the group made the turn toward the virtual half-mile, everyone looked great! Doug and I discussed if today could be Jacee’s unofficial birthday swim because she is working on swimming for the “Big Chill”, she wanted to count her miles and get the extra miles. It was decided that special conditions existed based on being a child and it would be counted.

Shortly, after that Jacee and the group came in and of course, Jacee wanted more. She had to be called up to get a move on, to head home. Jacee had swum 3.5 miles in 24 hours. She loved every minute of the open water swims. Of course, she had to take breaks for fuel and hydration, two very important things if you are going to swim that much. Proper preparation for open water swimming is not a casual decision. It is essential to train for the distance you have decided to swim.

Thank you, Carson for the roof and food!

Signing off for pool work, until the next open water adventure!

Jacee’s Mom

New Swim Partner

December 29th Jacee headed to La Jolla to swim for four wonderful days. The water was a warm 58 degrees on average; she had a great time with her training partners. There are several and Jacee has so much fun with each of you! She chose a different swim partner one day; of course the discussion was who would swim the fastest. Her new partner is from a long line of swimmers. Her new partner is a sea lion. It was definitely a cute picture. And of course, Jacee was very careful about the distance that she was standing as she approached the sea lion. Remember this cute sea lion is a wild animal.

Jacee arrived on Thursday and swam a quick 1.5 miles in the Cove, Shores area. On Friday, Jacee, Doug and Carol headed out for a 1.5 mile swim and really enjoyed the water. While the body surfers enjoyed riding the waves, it was quite a sight. The dolphins stirred the water, creating a commotion with the wildlife, it was plentiful. Jacee came in and said, “she did not see the dolphins”. She wanted to see them! The next day, Jacee headed out with Doug for another 1.5 miles. The joy of swimming with the dolphins that day became a reality, they swam right in front of them. She finally got to swim with the dolphins like she has asked since she was eight-years-old. Patience pays off and she did it in the open ocean along with her friends. Of course, frequently she is swimming with the dolphins but not right in front of her. She decided to head out with another group of swimmers eating some food to keep her strength and body temperature up and they had a very social time speed was not the objective in the second swim just fun.

New Year’s Eve arrived and sleep was in order. The Annual La Jolla Cove Polar Bear Swim was occurring on the 1st of January. It is an exciting day to and attempting to get all of the people in one picture was quite a feat. Great job, Paula! Bob West sounded the horn and everyone that wanted to get wet put at least their big toe, in the 58 degree water. Jacee and Doug jumped in and swam another mile Doug came in and attended his duties for the event. Jacee grabbed her friends Lianna and Pearl to go play in the waves. Lianna swam with her Dad and Pearl anxiously awaited her time in the water. I think they became grape popsicles out there! After two hours we had to drag Jacee and Pearl in from the waves. They were of course surprised that it was two hours later. They ate a good meal and began to play games and shared more food with others. Overall, it was an exciting and relaxing day. What a super way to spend the First day of the Year just relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family.

Until the next swim!

Jacee’s Mom