One positive about the multiple jellyfish stings to my neck, back and arms? The burning sensation pulsating from the stings helped me to forget how the air was a brisk 49 degrees & water was 71 degrees.
This was my first time participating in The Maryland Swim for Life, a U.S. Masters Swimming-sanctioned event in the Chester River in Chestertown, Md., on Sept. 24. Sponsored by the District of Columbia Aquatic Club (DCAC), a USMS swim team for the LGBTQ community & their allies, over 200 swimmers took part in this 31st annual event. Friends of mine had recommended this race, it was only 90-minutes away & the weather looked pleasant for the upcoming weekend. So with less than a week until race day, I was looking forward to this river swim which benefits the non-profits ShoreRivers & Quality of Life Retreats.
By race day, the forecasted temperature had dipped, the water had dropped from a comfortable 77 degrees & it was cloudy. But that was nothing compared to the trailing tentacle sea animals which, unknowingly to me, waited in the water. Driving to Rolph's Wharf Marina, we watched the sun rise as we passed the rolling Maryland farmlands and headed to the Chester River, a brackish tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Once we arrived, I pulled on my purple hoodie & headed over to the registration table, where I stood next to swimmers wearing long winter coats & snow hats. A generous breakfast table was offered, with bagels, orange juice, coffee & granola bars.
I walked over to a map of the course to double check my route, two laps around the farthest yellow buoy for the 5K. It was definitely an unusual open swim race, because there were five distances to choose from: 7.5K; 5K; 2.5K; 2.4-miles & 1.2-miles. The 7.5K swimmers were set for three laps around the yellow buoy, so at 7:30 a.m. the 20 swimmers headed out into the river. Next was my 5K group of 26 swimmers. We stepped into the water (which felt fine because it was warmer than the air) & waded for a few minutes until we heard the air horn to start the race.
Swimming against the current was awful & whenever I scanned for that yellow buoy, it seemed miles away. It quickly became difficult to stay on course with only one buoy, few kayakers & most of the swimmers all spread out. Finally rounding the buoy & starting on lap two was the worst part of the race & I started to cry in frustration. An orange buoy, for those swimming the shorter distances, was in between the start & the yellow buoy. It was totally confusing, I swallowed gallons of salty water with all the swells & swimmers were heading in all directions. I've never swam a race where swimmers were heading towards you & might headbutt. It was awful & I really wanted to finish lap 2 & get out & quit. But I was halfway done the race & I knew I'd be disappointed later if I quit, so I kept going for lap 3.
While there were a few jellyfish stings during the first part of the race, the second half was far worse. I read that the Chesapeake Bay & its tributaries are known for jellyfish in the summer, these sea nettles are dependent on water temperature, salinity & recent rainfalls. A week before the event, the ShoreRivers riverkeeper did a sweep of the area & reported no sightings of jellyfish. Unfortunately, they were back last Saturday because the stings to my neck & shoulders were the worst, like how I imagine getting a tattoo would feel if I was brave. I felt like I was in the river for hours, I was cold, stinging & hungry. I headed towards the beach & crossed the finish line with a disappointing time of 2:14:39. Kev, always so supportive, had my towel ready for me to warm up as we headed to the buffet lunch.
The Maryland Swim for Life, now in its 31st year, benefits great organizations but this race was my least favorite ever. Even the T-shirts feature a jellyfish design! Stuff of nightmares!
On the way home we made a quick trip to walk around Chestertown, a quaint downtown area which was just wrapping up its farmers' market at noon & preparing for its fall festival set for 2 p.m. We checked out the Bookplate, an independent bookstore, & found Keke the cat resting in the bookshelves. Animals always cheer me up, so when we stopped for a wine tasting at Crow Vineyard & Winery in nearby Kennedyville I was happy to meet Mrytle, the winery dog. Keke & Mrytle, plus some Benadryl, greatly improved my attitude.
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