Stealth Swimming?

San Rafael is a little north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Oracle is waaaay south of that. I'm in healthcare, not software, but maybe I should change jobs if they offer all those swimming activities!

Originally posted by ggcarroll I consider myself really fortunate. When I was first hired by the company that I'm in now and then when I transferred to another department, I said that I swam with a masters swim team and that sometimes I'd be late in the morning because I would be training with the team. I told them I'd always call to let them know; that I would always make up the time and make sure the work got done. If that wasn't acceptable, I couldn't take the job. Everyone said, "no problem." One new manager tried to make me stop but backed off when I told her it was a condition of my employment. I know that I'm awfully lucky. I have no idea where San Rafael is, but do you work at Oracle? I hear they have an outdoor 25 meter pool on site at the fitness center at Oracle headquarters (Redwood Shores near San Fran.) They have a masters team, and Oracle even provides a coach for the morning workouts.

I also swim in the am's before work. Sometimes I actually make it to work on time but I always take a warm shower before. Michigan just isn't condusive to outdoor swimming (except for a few short months). I've found if you share some of your swimming accomplishments with your co-workers, they are more understanding. Just attending a nationals competition goes a long way.

I consider myself really fortunate. When I was first hired by the company that I'm in now and then when I transferred to another department, I said that I swam with a masters swim team and that sometimes I'd be late in the morning because I would be training with the team. I told them I'd always call to let them know; that I would always make up the time and make sure the work got done. If that wasn't acceptable, I couldn't take the job. Everyone said, "no problem." One new manager tried to make me stop but backed off when I told her it was a condition of my employment. I know that I'm awfully lucky.

I had been trying to figure also the "home base" of the poster. I consider that person very fortunate to have an ocean to swim in before work, I'd love to be in that position. I do remember how beautiful the conditions often are at La Jolla Cove, yes it would be starting to cool down a bit now. The times I was there, I remember that even the "cold" public showers generally felt "warm" after the ocean. Anyway, concerning the "improvised warm shower" idea, I have used a few variants: (a) On sunny/cool days, fill green or clear-colored 2-liter bottles (with labels removed) with fresh water and leave in the sun. As mentioned, it feels great after a cool swim -- but I doubt that the few seconds of pleasure will really warm someone. (b) On cloudy days, leave the same bottles under the hood of the car during the swim. The residual engine heat usually warms them. Be sure to remove them before moving or you could have a "flooded engine syndrome." PS: I don't mention swimming at my job either (over 20 years now) as it's likewise not "respected." But I almost never get to swim before work due to time/geography so it's less relevant... Good luck.

Yes I'm swimming in San Diego, the cove, windansea and the beaches. I was considering carrying some hot water. I can't carry much weight still but it seems like a good idea leaving it on the car could solve the carrying problem. The water temps really dropped over the last week. I've started taking a thermos that helps some. Funny thing is the air in the afternoons has gotten very hot so I go from very cold to very hot.

I, too, swim before work. I warm up by putting the heat on full blast in the car, and wrapping my hands around a cup of hot coffee or tea ( I bring it in a thermos). I have also filled up a hot water bottle at work and kept it under my sweater on my stomach - although it's not always possible to do this in public. Other things that help - get completely dry in the car - get changed in the passenger seat as the heat is blasting - so when you drive to work the seat isn't wet. Keep a hair dryer at work and dry your hair. Eat. Preferably something hot. Your body needs calories to warm up. On a similar note (hope this isn't hijacking the thread): Living in Canada, I swim in a wetsuit in the fall/winter. I usually throw on my bathing suit and the legs of the wetsuit and a sweatshirt for the trip to the lake or ocean. I pack my work clothes in a gym bag. One morning I went to change into work gear after my swim, and noticed to my horror that I had packed my teenage son's jeans rather than my own"dressy" jeans ... his are the baggy bummed, hang down past your hips type...well, I wore them as they were more appropriate than a wetsuit for work, but I did get lots of stares!

Originally posted by sdswimmer People keep wondering if I'm sick. Not trying to be evil :D , but maybe a few of them are thinking something worse than being sick. Think about it: shaking, rings around the eyes, being tired, being hungry, maybe sniffing... Be suspicious if any of them try to check your arms for needle marks... ;)

Originally posted by mattson Not trying to be evil :D , but maybe a few of them are thinking something worse than being sick. Think about it: shaking, rings around the eyes, being tired, being hungry, maybe sniffing... Be suspicious if any of them try to check your arms for needle marks... ;) Yeah I suppose its a concern, we cert. drug-free though. THe open water aspect helps a bit since I'm very tan and "robust" looking. I wear a little make-up to hide those rings! Hungry though, all the time! ANd hiding those arms in a jacket beucase I'm cold!

Originally posted by mattson Not trying to be evil :D , but maybe a few of them are thinking something worse than being sick. Think about it: shaking, rings around the eyes, being tired, being hungry, maybe sniffing... Be suspicious if any of them try to check your arms for needle marks... ;) No hi school swimmers here, remember the early morning workouts in over-chlorinated pools? "I swear, my eyes are red because of swim team practice!" ;)