Today, I completed my first attempt at a solo crossing of our local lake. The swim was 2.49 miles. (love that GPS) and took me 1::41.44 to complete. I have been swimming for 2.5 years, and had actually swam in two one mile open water swims. (same one twice).. I normally swim 2700 yards 3-5 times weekly, confident I could do it, but apprehensive still. Accompanied by my daughter and wife in a small row boat with an electric trolling motor. (doesnt take much to keepup with me).I jumped in off a pier on the north side and braved the kinda windy day (swam threw the sail regetta going on, not kidding) and only freeked out once. When I ran into some thick vegetation, concurrently the battery went down on the boat. (had extra, but took em a while) I was 700 yards from finish, thought I would stop, but just started swimming and did finish easily...... First thing I think of getting into the boat for the ride back to the truck..."I think I can do a 5 mile." ......... It's a sickness, isnt it?:
Today, I completed my first attempt at a solo crossing of our local lake. The swim was 2.49 miles. (love that GPS) and took me 1::41.44 to complete. I have been swimming for 2.5 years, and had actually swam in two one mile open water swims. (same one twice).. I normally swim 2700 yards 3-5 times weekly, confident I could do it, but apprehensive still. Accompanied by my daughter and wife in a small row boat with an electric trolling motor. (doesnt take much to keepup with me).I jumped in off a pier on the north side and braved the kinda windy day (swam threw the sail regetta going on, not kidding) and only freeked out once. When I ran into some thick vegetation, concurrently the battery went down on the boat. (had extra, but took em a while) I was 700 yards from finish, thought I would stop, but just started swimming and did finish easily...... First thing I think of getting into the boat for the ride back to the truck..."I think I can do a 5 mile." ......... It's a sickness, isnt it?:
Welcome to the dark side! :D and seriously, congrats on your swim! and through a sailing regatta yet! You DO have the sickness! ;)
***
Parents, have you talked to your children about distance swimming?
Parents, spouses, family....do you know the telltale signs that your loved one needs :help: ? Does s/he start calling 5 mile swims quick sprints? Does s/he browse boat catalogs to find good escort boats? Does s/he start ordering seaweed salads at restaurants? ... Interventions at this stage could be tricky, but they become impossible when s/he is told that a friend swam around Manhattan and replies "how many laps?"
Be careful out there friends! (says another developing addict)
Today, I completed my first attempt at a solo crossing of our local lake. The swim was 2.49 miles. (love that GPS) and took me 1::41.44 to complete. I have been swimming for 2.5 years, and had actually swam in two one mile open water swims. (same one twice).. I normally swim 2700 yards 3-5 times weekly, confident I could do it, but apprehensive still. Accompanied by my daughter and wife in a small row boat with an electric trolling motor. (doesnt take much to keepup with me).I jumped in off a pier on the north side and braved the kinda windy day (swam threw the sail regetta going on, not kidding) and only freeked out once. When I ran into some thick vegetation, concurrently the battery went down on the boat. (had extra, but took em a while) I was 700 yards from finish, thought I would stop, but just started swimming and did finish easily...... First thing I think of getting into the boat for the ride back to the truck..."I think I can do a 5 mile." ......... It's a sickness, isnt it?:
Welcome to the dark side! :D and seriously, congrats on your swim! and through a sailing regatta yet! You DO have the sickness! ;)
***
Parents, have you talked to your children about distance swimming?
Parents, spouses, family....do you know the telltale signs that your loved one needs :help: ? Does s/he start calling 5 mile swims quick sprints? Does s/he browse boat catalogs to find good escort boats? Does s/he start ordering seaweed salads at restaurants? ... Interventions at this stage could be tricky, but they become impossible when s/he is told that a friend swam around Manhattan and replies "how many laps?"
Be careful out there friends! (says another developing addict)
