"Each step forward has a sacred meaning of its own"   Sri Chinmoy

Self-Transcendence Swim/Run - Jan 2025 - Konyaalti, Antalya

Towards the end of our stay in Antalya the racing and trekking opportunities began to pile up - 3 races in 4 days. At the same time, the weather was set to clear and give us glorious sunshine. The third factor was a classic Christmas Trip one - I was starting to feel under the weather, going down with a cold, as the trip was coming to a close. 350 people from every corner of the globe getting together is a great way to share the various cold viruses that every region has to offer, sadly. Anyhow, with a remedy from our resident homeopath, Begabati, and some frequent pranayama I seemed to have it under control, with the symptoms retreating before they really got serious. There was no reason, then, not do take part in Vasanti's annual Swim/Run event!

This time it came with a choice of short, medium or long - all distances starting with a 1k flat run on the promenade, followed by a swim of 150m straight, 300m out-and-back or, option three, as long as you like. Something for everyone.

Like most I opted for the medium option - some of the guys were running with their goggles and swim cap on already but I decided to stash goggles on the beach on a small transition spot (towel/bag/goggle case) as I was certain I would mist them up big time if I ran with them on my forehead. My neoprene swim cap as squashed into a back pocket of my tri shorts ready to pull on in the last 100m before we hit the beach.

From the start, things were fast and furious along the prom in clear, radiant sunshine and a tempereature of around 19C. The young and swift were off quickly, the older and also fast chasing them close behind. Still not back to race fitness after 3 months off nursing a knee issue, I went off as quick as I could but was down on my usual pace. I'm doing about 30-40 seconds per mile slower than usual so I was expecting to be around half a minute or a bit less slower than usual on this 1k. Although I couldn't stay with Amur and Pataka, I did keep pace with some of the other Balkan guys for a change.

After the turnaround as we approached the steps to the beach I caught a half mile split of just over 3 minutes and started to pull on my neoprene cap for the swim. Down on the beach I sat down on the towel to hoik my shoes off in a hurry and get my goggles sealed on - I felt it was worth those extra seconds to have a clear view on the swim and no annoying salt-water leakage. Soon I had plunged into the chilly water - which didn't feel as chilly as usual thanks to being warmed up and full of race adrenaline. I rounded the marker (a huge rubber ring tethered in the shallows) and started to haul myself through the gorgeously clear water down towards the mountains. I had lost touch with the pack and the whole swim was a solo affair, with lots of sighting to keep the right line and avoid colliding with those coming back the other way. The water was calm, clear and cool but swimming at race pace for such a short distance is unfamiliar and I was feeling over-extended. Despite that I kept the effort full-on and began to pull water pretty well by my standards. I certainly didn't feel at full power, but in a swim leg that's not unusual!

Coming back up the beach to the finish I was solo, ahead of a few of the slower guys and well behind the pack of swimming immortals up ahead. I veered both ways to avoid swimmers on their outbound leg - there didn't seem to be much lane discipline (which is always going to be the case with an out and back course) and I must have paced it about right as I was collapsing to a slow crawl just as I came to the finish. I dragged myself out and up the beach to the line in 10:59 - 6th place boy (so about half way down the field) and as per usual, feeling that blend of exhilaration and exhaustion that comes with the end of pretty much every race. Swimming in the sea feels kind of cleansing - combine that with the pure effort of a fast, flat, road-run and the feeling at the end is sure to be a good one. Washed out, but in a good way.

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