Different Challenges

We were hoping to do a 10k (6.2 miles) but the conditions were pretty rough. Today's swim had it all, and was truly a "roughwater swim" in every aspect. Some of the challenges:

1. Swimming against the current. We went north to south & the current was south to north.
2. A slight upwelling resulting in water a little colder (64 degrees) than we expected.
3. Wind chop. Wind out of the south resulted in a pretty bumpy swim. It was worse at the end - kinda like swimming in a washing machine.
4. Big waves. The predicted large surf was beginning to roll in. Made the beach exit a little more exciting.

I started shivering after we got out and decided to let it go for today...a little disappointed. I spoke with Forrest Nelson (a channel swimmer and member of CCSF) about my upcoming swim and he suggested to write down my 3 biggest fears (and think of ways to address those fears) and 3 biggest confidences every week and note that it will change every week. So...

Fears:

1. Hypothermia - I don't think I can do a whole swim in 63F water. I am hoping for 67+, I would have to put on some weight to handle the temp.

2. Giving up - I am afraid of giving up before I am truly spent

3. Motion Sickness - I usually don't get sick in the water but I know it can happen. I remember some swimmers taking Dramaine Lite before the start of their swims. I wonder if that can hamper performance.

Confidences:

1. February Fitness Challenge - I swam 37,000 yards February 1st of this year. It was over three workouts in three different pools and not in the ocean but still...21 miles.

2. I've been doing a lot of training swims by myself so the critters don't scare me as much.

3. I don't know.

It was a pretty good swim overall today though. I hung with Brad Arshat and Ray Meltvedt. Ray is the only one who went back to do the double. I've asked both Brad and Ray to be escort swimmers on my swim too.

OMG...I really am going to do this!

some kind of training...

Yesterday morning I went out at CDM with some friends and swam 3 box laps at 6:15am:

I went home and had 3 packets of Oatmeal and some coffee and left from Oak Street at 10am to Crescent Bay (had some Gu) and back to Oak Street at 12:00.

The conditions were really flat and I saw 2 small leopard sharks, a bunch of rays, Garibaldi & schools of fish. I had 16 oz of Cytomax and a banana and left out again at 12:05.

The wind had picked up and I could tell I was swimming into a choppy current. The Dive website said the water was 70F which worried me a little because it felt more like 65F. The water was not as clear but I still saw quite a few Garibaldi. I got to Crescent bay at 1:10 and had some more Gu. I chatted with a standup paddle board girl who said her boyfriend wants to do the Catalina paddleboard race! Right before I got back to Oak I saw a dark grey shark on the bottom of the water about my length (5'5"). The lifegaurds said that it was a Horn Shark. I'll have to look that up. I got in at 2:15 and had another 16oz of Cytomax, but my stomach was upset so I decided no solid food. I went out at 2:20 and swam a little past Main Beach and back.

I could tell the current was fairly strong because the kelp I swam over was being pulled south at about a 30degree angle. At least the swim back was nice.

I got the sunscreen and the Vaseline right this time but my stomach was upset and I threw up when I got home. I think it was the Gu and salt water. Maybe I was a little dehydrated too...

I am going to have to start swimming with the "crack bottle".

Next swim is a 10K (6 miles) with friends CDM Crystal Cove and Back this Saturday.

4 hours

10:21-12:21 (snack 20 0z Cytomax & a banana) 12:26-2:30. There were some breaks chatting with kayakers and standup paddlers. It was a great day starting out overcast but beautiful clear water (lots of fish, Garibaldi, Bass, minnows and grunion) and ending up sunny with a windy chop and a strong current home (yea!) Now I am thinking about where I need to put the Vaseline next time.

Need food and then a nap. Not sure in what order?

Jen's Finish

Yesterday (08/14/09) I went down to Palos Verde (just below Terranea resort) to see Jen Schumacher's finish. It was fun watching her come in with a police escort!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thEkkli2OGI

I swam my deposit in a Ziploc bag out to John Pittman on the Outrider for my swim October 6-7. OMG! ...

Soooo...today I am doing a 4 hour swim. As far as I can go up the coast for an hour and back to my start point (assume that will be another hour) for cytomax and a banana and then out again for another stint!

Pick it up!

We swam 4000 yard this morning at WAC and this afternoon I did 8 box laps at Corona Del Mar in 2 hours 10 minutes. I got a little cold chatting with triathletes but felt really good after the first hour. I probably could have stayed longer but was expecting some friends (who didn't make it...darn!).

Oh well...probably best not to "kill myself" at this new start!

October 6-7

Well...I got something on Monday that looks like a job offer for next year. And my Nova team mates are getting really enthusiastic for my swim...so I decided to book a date.

I called John Pittman and spoke with Carol Sing of CCSF (who will be doing a swim this year at 68 yo!!!).

Now I have to focus on getting my distances back up and getting confident with night swimming! I went out with Ray Meltvedt and his daughter Sierra last Friday for about an hour at San Clemente pier last Friday night (August 7) for a BYOGS (Bring Your Own Glow Stick) swim. We made the lifegaurds nervous, I think, because they kept flashing us with high beam lights. There were lots of stars out and we saw the moon rise!

My neighbor, Patsee has offered to go out for midnight swims with me to get a sense of the ocean at that time. She has offered to escort swim and kayak.

Now I have to start BIG training (and remember to eat and rest)

I feel really good about this...

June Already?

Last week I got a message from one of the partners from my last job. Kris Weber said that there may be a water quality opportunity coming up. I found out that it is contingent on a sub-contractor getting contracts. If I can nail that down this week I might commit to a Catalina date this year. I need a decent job to self fund the crossing. Otherwise, next year will have to do.
I did two swims out of Oak Street this weekend. Saturday the temperature had dropped 5 degrees to 56F (according to the local dive website) and it felt like it. I had an icecream headache and was pretty chilled by the time we reached the Main Beach buoy. I was happy for the current that made the return trip much quicker. My neighbor Pastee and I swam with a new swimmer from the Santa Cruz area, Ray Meltvedt. He wants to organize some Moonlight swims once a month! That sounds great to me!
Sunday I ended up going out by myself and the water had warmed back up to 63F or so. There was a good wind and a lot of chop. The water was clear except for flowing sand from rip-currents. I did see a few Garibaldi though.


I hope that job comes through this week...cross your fingers or fins for me!
:)