Good Gear = Good Swim

April 5. Temp 51 F. Water temp 47 F.

Today at the lake…a different beach. I was too tired to drive to my usual beach so I swam at the park near my house. It is a lovely park with lots of gigantic trees, benches, picnic tables, a basketball court, children’s playground. And a sand beach. 

I don’t swim here often because the showers are not working, and the water quality is not as good as it is on my beach. It was pretty murky today. I don’t know if it is the creek runoff or the way the water doesn’t move around much, but there are always clumps of stuff floating around in the water that look icky. 

Still, I love the view; I could see the mountains from the water, and that is always nice. South of where I was swimming there is a sailing school, so I also got to watch the little boats sailing back and forth across that beach. 

There is more water in the lake! I noticed it the other day at my regular beach. My UW researcher friend said that they did something to some dam to let more water into the lake. Yea. I’m for that. The water comes up much higher on the beach now. As it should. 

Bear On My Back

Nothing special about my swim. Felt like lead and was breathing really hard. I tried to focus on my breathing and slow myself down, but it didn’t seem to help. I swam back and forth between two metal posts, but kept seeing the boat buoy in the distance. I haven’t been able to swim out that far in months, so I had to try. I made it, then took a short break bobbing in the water, looking around at the houses on the shore, the sailboats to the south, the birds flying overhead, the people on the beach throwing rocks into the water. Why is that so fun.

I never heard my alarm, so I got out when a different alarm went off. I don’t know why I can’t figure out how to use a f-ing iPhone. I was in more than 25 min. Yea! 

Everybody was gone from the park by the time I finished so I walked over the the not-working shower and used the bench to get changed. I don’t mind not showering as much as I really mind having to rinse my gear in my shower. Wetsuits are cray heavy when wet. Still, it was a nice change to swim at a different place. I think there are about 10 swim beaches on this lake. I am gonna swim at every one of them. So far, I have been to 5. So, halfway there. 

I was so warm in the water. My 5mm gloves keep my hands toasty. And the winter suit makes all the difference. I’m almost tempted to wear my other suit so I can be cold. How weird is that.