I see how this happens.

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:01:56 GMT

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:01:37 GMT

Nancy What was the name of the event you just did on the Columbia? Do they have a website? I have heard of something down there and am interested in doing it. Is the event in Idaho you are interested in the Long Bridge Swim in Sandpoint? If so, I did it for the first time this year. Great event! Thanks Spudfin Spudfin and Findingmyinnerfish, This swim starts from Hood River Oregon (the windsurfing town). It was the 65th year for this fun event and is called the Coliumbia River Cross Channel Swim -- always held on Labor Day. You get on the sternwheeler in Hood River, it takes you across to Washington and you jump of the boat for the swim back to Oregon. There are tons of safety precautions and it is simply a lot of fun. It's not a race though, so you even see a few folks with fins and other toys. Go to www.hoodriver.org It is put on by the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and has quite a long history. It was started by one man who swam with his family members and then it grew from there. I was so happy to have been told about this event by a fellow swimmer at the Y. And yes, it is the Bridge Swim in Sandpoint that I am looking at for next year -- especially if I get into open water some this coming year! And can figure out the best training plan in the pool. Nancy

RE: I see how this happens.

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:50:36 GMT

Congrats, Nancy, and welcome to the "hooked" crowd! And I'm also interested in that swim. I was in Oregon during the summer and visited the Columbia River Gorge in my travels. Beautiful place! Where exactly was the swim--closer to Portland or closer to, say, Hood River (I think that was the town... where they do windsurfing)?

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:35:53 GMT

Count me as another addict:fish2:. I did my first distance open water swim on Labor Day and loved it. It was not a race and was 1.1 miles across the Columbia River from the Washington side to the Oregon side. I was terribly slow, especially since I was *** stroking way to often to ensure that I was on course! Now I want to train for a little longer swm in Idaho next year. I will do some open water swims before the event. I did none this time, and can see that more time in OW will be a great benefit to me. Other than that, I have no training plan in mind -- swim distance in the pool I guess? Nancy

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:49:44 GMT

I just did my 3 miler in 2 hours...with currents, wind and misdirection I probably got up closer to 4 miles swam. Good fun!

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:58:28 GMT

Here come the addicts! FMIF and IslandSox warned me about this! I just completed a 1.4 miler across Provincetown Harbor, MA. I felt so great when I got out I actually had a moment where I thought, if I had to, I could turn around and swim back across again! :fish2::fish2: It is a SICKNESS! I am by no means speedy - just steady (it took me 1:07). I am fiendishly plotting my next one...will it be 2 miles, or 3??? Too funny! I remember when I thought doing the 800 meter freestyle event in Masters was a long distance. That used to be my favorite event. Yes, we all are distance junkies; it happens without even realizing it. I remember when my goal was to get to 4 miles in training and once that happened (and it didn't take that long), now I do 4 mile recovery swims on off days (LOL). I'll tell my husband when he asks how far I'll be swimming on a particular day and I'll reply that "it'll just be a little 4 mile recovery swim." And here's another way to know you really like distance: When people ask you how far you swam and you say, I'm not sure because I swim by the hour(s), not the miles. Or, I'm going for a little 4 hour swim today. It just creeps up on us, doesn't it?:rofl:

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 16:12:48 GMT

I'm finding this reassuring. Does that mean I'm an incurable addict? :help::whiteflag: Edited to add, congrats, Rachel! I'm a slow swimmer myself, and the thing I like about distances is that you don't have to go too fast, just keep on keeping on. Hey, go for three! You have the year to train! :D (See how addicts try to create other addicts....) Thanks - fellow addicts like you are always an inspiration! I can just see our intervention now....our family gathered around the edge of the pool talking about how the chlorine smell is a constant painful reminder of our "affliction"....:joker:

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:59:11 GMT

RE: I see how this happens.

FindingMyInnerFish — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:23:21 GMT

Welcome aboard....... My mind now wanders from Alcatraz to Donner Lake to......... Gone are my worries of a healthy 401k balance or what I want to be when I grow up. It is all part of the maturation of your soul. Spudfin I'm finding this reassuring. Does that mean I'm an incurable addict? :help::whiteflag: Edited to add, congrats, Rachel! I'm a slow swimmer myself, and the thing I like about distances is that you don't have to go too fast, just keep on keeping on. Hey, go for three! You have the year to train! :D (See how addicts try to create other addicts....)

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:47:45 GMT

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?: Here come the addicts! FMIF and IslandSox warned me about this! I just completed a 1.4 miler across Provincetown Harbor, MA. I felt so great when I got out I actually had a moment where I thought, if I had to, I could turn around and swim back across again! :fish2::fish2: It is a SICKNESS! I am by no means speedy - just steady (it took me 1:07). I am fiendishly plotting my next one...will it be 2 miles, or 3???

RE: I see how this happens.

Former Member — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:37:43 GMT

Way to go!!!! What`s next?

RE: I see how this happens.

FindingMyInnerFish — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:28:58 GMT

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)