I’m back in the pool after nearly 12 weeks off, from pool swimming. With the exception of two swims during my long swim week at the end of July my last pool practice was the 22nd of May. I missed our last week of Masters because of business trip.
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Author Archives: Rykno
Swedish Open Water Nationals
With little to no speed training this summer I thought it would be fun to take Lily back to Gothenburg for a 2500m race to end the season since she seemed to like it last year.
So we make it a family getaway weekend. We book a cabin and day passes for Liseberg.
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Another 3km race the day after two long races, why not?
So Lily being the cocky daughter she is, she decided a few weeks earlier, that it would be fun to race another 3km Sunday, the day after. Not being one to back down from a challenge, we registered for the 3000m OW swim in Stenungsunds about a three hour drive from home.
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Vidösternsimmet 6km, 50 minutes after a 21km swim
I cross the finish line of Vidösternsimmet 21+km race at roughly 13:06. The start of the 6km race was a 14:00. It made for a stressful situation for me and probably for my wife too. I so wanted to just relax, enjoy the moment, talk to my friends and other finishers of the race to share “war” stories. Relax in the hot tub and eat. But there was not time for that. I go over to the registration to check that my wife already got my start kit, I rush to get my bag, turn on my phone and call my wife as I am walking up to the road. I never expected to finish so quickly, and she had her hands full with Lily getting ready for her race with the two little ones in tow. As I get to the road side, I see her pulling up. I try to smile, relax, and keep telling myself you have plenty of time now.
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Vidösternsimmet 2019 – 21km & 6km races in one day
Back in Dec 2018, one of my Masters swimmers, probable the least likely to do so, announced that he was going to swim the 21+km OW swim. He had been speaker the year before and was inspired to give it a try. It didn’t take much convincing from him until a second swimmer signed up. After last years tough non wetsuit swim I decided, I should give it another try, but this time with a wetsuit.
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Vidöstern Open Water 21+km
After 2014’s race I didn’t think I would be back in Värnamo to race again. But early this year in June I was offered to buy a starting spot from a friend who no longer felt he was prepared for a long race. At that time I was training well. But since then, a long family vacation, work trips to Brazil & northern Sweden as well as camping trips put a stop to that. With only 13 km swimming during the month of July I head over to Värnamo for my fourth start of the 21+km race. To make it a real challenge I chose to participate in the non-wetsuit class.
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Kalmar Swimrun 2018
Two years ago I pushed my body too far, and the once 42km Swimrun race in Kalmar was too much after back to back races the two weekends prior.
The past two years has been a long uncertain period in my life. But I never gave up the hope that one day a doctor would give me the OK to compete again.
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Vansbro 2018
Friday morning I pack my bag and Lilys bag in my car. we are heading in different directions for different swim competitions. Lily is off her for final meet of the season and I am off for my first OW race of the year.
My first real Swimrun suit
Yesterday I picked up my new Colting Swimrun Go, my first real swimrun suit. In 2015, my swimrun partner and I had the chance to compete in brand new TYR Hurricane C3 suits, that we had to cut off the arms and legs to be able to manage the runs. This was the way most did it back then, since the short arm and leg suit had not gotten as far in development. But things have changed in 3 years. More and more wetsuit designers see the growth potential of Swimrun races as they are no longer only arranged in Sweden.
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Summer races…
Since my Dr gave me clearance to compete and the only thing holding me back is my physical condition, I have decided to participate in three potentially four races this summer.
First up will be Vansbro 3km OW. Last year I finished outside the top 100 with a time over 40 minutes. This year I am in better shape and know that I do not have to slow down or stop because of my increased heart rate. I haven’t decided between swimming in my sleeveless TYR or my full body. The temperatures will be up around 30C in the air, and over 18C in the water. This will be my 9th swim and I hope it will be my 6th time under 40 minutes and again top 100. I will have to bring both suits with me and decide in the morning which feels best.
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