New Water Shoes

Today at the lake it was grey and cold. And windy, so the mini waves made it harder to swim. The water was the coldest it’s every been for me.

I usually walk quite casually out to waist- or tit-deep water, then start my swim. Today I had to dive in a thigh-level. It wasn’t shocking cold or MN butt cold, but more like wow cold. My arms and legs felt it the most and my face. Tingly and burn-y. If felt really weird swimming with a cold face, like I was out in the midwest winter without my woolen mask.

I was in the deeper end becuase now that I’ve read that article about skin rashes from duck shit parasites in lakes (that said don’t swim in the shallower water) I want to swim clear of that. But deeper water puts me into the weeds. They’re so scary, tall and withered, like rail-thin wraiths with tattered hoods. Heads down, trying to fake me out, waiting for the right moment to raise their bony arms and stab me.

I didn’t know that water plants turned yellow in the fall, too. F them. I really don’t like them. I could go deeper, but then it’s all black and I can’t see much. No great options.

There was nobody at the beach because sane people stayed inside today, so I was really lucky and grateful my friend came with me and read on the beach in her down parka while I splashed around. I just can’t get enough of underwater exploration. Even though I have covered the entire swim area underwater and can find my way sometimes by using big rocks and sandy areas, I still think I will find treasure.

Today’s bonus: new swim shoes! Testing some Vibram Five Fingers shoes, and they were fantastic. Grippy treads on the bottom made it so much easier to walk into the water on the shifting, slimy rocks. And since they are more for hiking than swimming, they kind of kept the water out and my feet stayed warm.

I have been sick on and off for more than a week, so I have missed many swims. I was hoping I would lose some weight, but it’s hard when I can’t seem to consistely exercise. I go a few times, then my health takes a dive and I’m out for a few days or a week. Ugh. But I have lost 10, so 40 to go. I think that’s all for today.

I am gonna see about a wetsuit. My friend reminded me that pools hold magic, too, so I’m not gonna kill myself trying to find swim buddies and gear for fall and winter swimming. I’ll just do like flowing water instead of swim against the current….and join the Y near my house.

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