Tot With Rocks

Jan 25, 2023

Today at the lake it was grey, and I was alone. My swim buddy wasn’t feeling well, so I decided to go by myself. I was lucky to find a man and his tiny two-year-old daughter at the water’s edge, throwing rocks into the lake. Of course, I had to say hi and comment on the darling tiny orange boots.

It was a bit of a struggle getting one of my gloves on because it was still wet from the other day. I hate how my gloves don’t dry inside. The inside of my hood smelllllls bad, so I made a mental note to clean it later.

I set my timer and fitness app, and charged into the water. It was really cold on my face, which I’m used to. I had to pull up a few times before my face acclimated and didn’t feel cold. I also felt cold water against my back, leaking in from my zipper, and a cold blast between my legs. Brrrrrr. My wetsuit is designed for swimming breast stroke, so the crotch is made from super stretchy neoprene that clearly isn’t 5mm like some parts of the suit. Luckily, it only takes about two minutes for the water that seeps in to be warmed by my body. But, wow. That woke me up.

The water was murky, and I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. I was glad that man and his tot were on the beach. I feel safer swimming when other people are around. I swam to the cement dock, then headed south. I realized pretty quickly that I felt like lead, so I tried slowing down and coordinating my bizarre stroke (the suit buoyancy lifts my legs up high but allows my head to sink lower) with my breath. I’ve had a couple of kerfuffles with my snorkel, so I was a bit worried about going far from the dock or into the deep water.

The couple off times I haven’t been able to breathe through the snorkel I really fumbled and ended up swallowing water because the hood covers my mouth and holds my jaw shut. So I have remember that if I get into trouble I have to spit out the snorkel yank hard on face hole of the hood to create some breathing space.

Anyway, I was plodding along, feeling crummy. I couldn’t really space out like usual. On hard days I really have to focus so I don’t drown. I was fine, but just had to keep me head on. I was pretty happy when I heard my alarm go off. I swam to the dock and out and back again before heading in.

The man and tot were still there, and the little one waved at my when I got out of the water. I got my hood off and grabbed my gear bag to head to the shower, and she blew me a kiss!!!!! That is the only kiss I’ve had in … omg … longer than I’d like to admit.

They left, so I was hurrying through the shower and get dressed part ’cause that’s when it feels creepy in the park. I’m safe in the water, but the showers are hidden from the walking path, so on days the park is mostly empty I have to pay extra attention. Luckily, a couple and their grandkid walked up to the beach, so I felt like I could relax and slow down. Hate that I have to worry about my safety, but it really doesn’t make sense for anyone to space out when you’re by yourself outdoors.

Heading back to the car I was happy that I’d been in the lake even if it was a crummy energy day. I took my hood into the shower with me and sudsed it up with my bar soap. Hope that takes the smell out. Ok. Bye. I sort of made a fish shape today.