It's almost the best.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:42:12 GMT

I got to swim outside both days this weekend and plan to go again tonight. After last week, when it was cold and even flurried a few times here in CT, I thought I was done for the season, but when it warmed up to 60 F on Saturday, I knew I had to get in again. I used a rubber swim cap given to me in a race this summer, not really expecting it would keep me any warmer, but it made a world of difference! I felt like my head was sweating by the end of the swim. Sunday was considerably cooler, but the water still didn't feel too bad. I love it. My goal was to swim 100 days between may and whenever I stopped. Tonight will be number 99. My previous best was 96 back in 2006.

RE: It's almost the best.

ViveBene — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:35:50 GMT

Last one! Saturday, 7:15 a.m. Water temp 54 degrees, air around, hmm, 43? Broke through the 100-degree mark (air plus water temp) on the way down, and the three brave ones decided that was enough for this year. I may sneak another one in as a solo, but snow is predicted for tomorrow! :whiteflag: Regards, VB

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:55:44 GMT

Funny stuff. I have three daughters.:joker:

RE: It's almost the best.

ViveBene — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:33:12 GMT

Last OW plunge coming up this weekend. I think. Some threats by regulars not to swim if water is below 57 degrees. Solution: measure temp after swimming, not before. May be a party of one. :rolleyes: In the rain. Got in the pool again, after mostly OW for weeks, and discovered all sorts of new and good things had happened to my swimming. I'm much more tuned to the water, and movements are bigger and more decisive. How I loathed putting on the Zoomers, getting out the tiny pace clock, sigh. Interesting neurological factoid I read in Your Brain on Cubs: the right hand (in right-handers, not sure about left-handers) tends to work in closer to the body, the left hand covers the peripheral territory. A right-hander holding a bat in the ready position actually has the right hand closer to the body than the left hand, which is why it is so difficult to change to opposite side in batting: the right hand is farther away from, left hand closer to, body. And that aint right. Which might explain why my right hand sweeps in close just fine in swimming but left hand gets halfway there and sort of flails, seeking the safety of the outfield. I also noticed it is no problem whatsoever to use the computer mouse with left hand. The mouse is "out there," the keyboard "in here." :blah:

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:05:19 GMT

I`d rather my daughter dated a guy in a wetsuit ( if ya know what I mean). LOL, yea it would be truly safe. ;)

RE: It's almost the best.

Animal — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:48:24 GMT

You are right, my parents did warn me about people in wet suits. They are alright as friends, but you would not want to take them home to meet the folks.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:50:09 GMT

I`d rather my daughter dated a guy in a wetsuit ( if ya know what I mean).

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:06:31 GMT

My friend wants to do Xterra triathlons, so he wearing a full wet suite with booties, two caps and gloves. Animal, Remember what your parents warned you about on having friends with wet suit's.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:25:26 GMT

Animal...thats what you are! Go man go!

RE: It's almost the best.

Animal — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:15:24 GMT

The last open water swim of the season was yesterday, October 18th. I was able to swim in a private lake outside Boulder, Colorado. The Cottonwood trees that surround the lake are covered with their golden leaves of fall. The air temp is in the low to mid 70's. The day is wonderful. The water temp is 56 at the water's edge. I and a friend head out into the water. My friend wants to do Xterra triathlons, so he wearing a full wet suite with booties, two caps and gloves. Since I have an internal wet suite, I get to feel the cold on all over me except my cap and earplugs. It is such a feeling to swim without lane lines or turns. It takes a few minutes to warm-up, but after that the tingling along my chest from the cold lessens. The only places that the cold is felt are the palms of my hands and the tops of my feet. I swim for about 45 minutes and feel very much alive. This is the best.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:51:47 GMT

Sunday, at Imperial Beach near the Mexican border,I `m embarkingon my quest,..swim around every pier on the California Coast within one year. How did it go on Sunday? -LBJ

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:31:41 GMT

I started a blog here at this site. It was an adventure!

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:17:21 GMT

For what it's worth, here is a list of the 25-or-so longest piers in CA at: www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/.../california-piers.htm The the longest pier in the ocean is 2745 feet (there are 2 longer is San Francisco Bay) and the shortest listed there is 780 feet, so you are going to have your work cut out for you. I think you should post this with pix, of course, in the blog section here. Good luck, LBJ

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:49:25 GMT

Leonard Thanks for the linky!

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:59:18 GMT

Sunday, at Imperial Beach near the Mexican border,I `m embarkingon my quest,..swim around every pier on the California Coast within one year. How many piers are there? -LBJ

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:51:44 GMT

Sunday, at Imperial Beach near the Mexican border,I `m embarkingon my quest,..swim around every pier on the California Coast within one year. I`ll be taking a picture of each pier from about 100 yards past its end and about 100 yards off to the side, and keeping a journal. Life is grand!! Great idea, Ron! Although you may want to take a cycle of antibiotics after swimming in IB...;)

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:12:50 GMT

There is nothing like Open Water Swimming,..nothing,.a bath-tub relates to the swimming pool l and the same way as a swimming pool relates to the open water. The smells, sights and sounds, wind and waves all add up to adventure. Sunday, at Imperial Beach near the Mexican border,I `m embarkingon my quest,..swim around every pier on the California Coast within one year. I`ll be taking a picture of each pier from about 100 yards past its end and about 100 yards off to the side, and keeping a journal. Life is grand!!

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:34:30 GMT

Sounds cool. I 'll bet you can get Lynn from "Swimming to Antarctica" to swim a pier with you.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:09:10 GMT

I tuck a cheapo waterproof camera in the back of my speedo,..it travels well there. My wife will be watching from the pier and taking a few pics. Hopefully I can find company for some of the swims. Part and parcel of this event is finding great restuarants where I can enjoy the process of taking on carbs and protein. ( I do believe that wine has carbs ) %^). I`ll keep everyone here posted.

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:17:58 GMT

I don`t know,..I haven`t found a map or site that lists them all. I plan on starting at the Mexican Border and working my way north,.searching out the next peir as I progress.www.beachcalifornia.com/piers-beach-california.html

RE: It's almost the best.

ViveBene — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:51:50 GMT

I'll look forward to reading your journal, and hope you can publish some of it in a swimming mag. Someone who does diving in an area quite close to where I swim along the Chicago shoreline tells me there is old rebar in the lake, concrete chunks with iron spikey stuff sticking straight up out of it in ca. 12 feet of water. Will you be carrying a camera with you, or do you plan to have an escort boat with a photographer? :wave: There is nothing like Open Water Swimming,..nothing,.a bath-tub relates to the swimming pool l and the same way as a swimming pool relates to the open water. The smells, sights and sounds, wind and waves all add up to adventure. Sunday, at Imperial Beach near the Mexican border,I `m embarkingon my quest,..swim around every pier on the California Coast within one year. I`ll be taking a picture of each pier from about 100 yards past its end and about 100 yards off to the side, and keeping a journal. Life is grand!!

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:12:24 GMT

Now THAT'S why I swim open water. :agree:

RE: It's almost the best.

Former Member — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:38:15 GMT

beautiful. lake a_______(technically off limits to swimming) today was low 60's but smooth as glass. some of the trees are changing and produced an impressionist reflection. they say rain tomorrow....a swim would be fine, but the bike ride out would be most unpleasant. oh well, there is always the pool (and a deserved happy hour to follow!)

RE: It's almost the best.

ViveBene — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:45:52 GMT

Absolutely! Midwest has been having warm days - another one yesterday pushing above 80 degrees, east wind over the lake (which is always warmer water) - it's been perfect for late season OW. VB :applaud: