Why are you Swimming??

RE: Why are you Swimming??

srcoyote — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 12:26:12 GMT

I've done the Henley Classic in England twice now. It's a 2.1K course set along the rowing course for the Royal Regatta and is held on the Sunday before the regatta begins. The first year, the water was 61 with a stiff head current (my profile pic from this swim). Last year, the water was 77 and minimal current. Both were fun swims. And while I was there both times, I got some swims in a lake in Dorchester that had a 1K buoy course set up that I circled a few times. I've been amazed at how the British have taken to open water swimming (the call it "wild swimming"). People of all ages and abilities in the lake swims on weekday afternoons. It's hard not to get addicted.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

flystorms — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:53:41 GMT

I was in England a few weeks ago visiting some friends I'd met on a SwimTrek. We did a nice OW swim in a pond outside of Windsor somewhere. It had buoys set up for about an 800m loop that we did a few times. There was pond/weed debris that was tiny, but it made you feel as if you were flying fast as you swam through it. Amazingly enough, the water temp wasn't nearly as cold as I was afraid it'd be. It was about 74, definitely at the bottom of my cold range (I'm a wuss), but so nice. Plus it was fun to move at the same speed as one of the girls - we paced well together in the Maldives and then got right back in the groove again here. Really a delightful morning.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Former Member — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:10:00 GMT

(stolen from a friend about other exercise) 1) Because I can. 2) Because if I stop, I won't be able to.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

srcoyote — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 09:47:39 GMT

I also find something zen about swimming in the rain and wind. To do so in open water is even better. Sure, it will be rougher water with wind, but I love a good long swim in rough water every now and then. And I'll hope for a balmy water temp of 72 next Saturday at Big Shoulders. Only once in the 8 years (6 swims and 2 cancelled due to water too rough) I've been there has the water been that warm.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

flystorms — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 11:22:12 GMT

There's something just wonderful about being just you and the open water, isn't there, Mike. It's a zen you can't find in a pool. I'm envious you have some good OW near you even though it's chilly (you said 72 was balmy?!). There isn't anywhere here for over an hour away. Sigh... I'll live vicariously through you. :)

RE: Why are you Swimming??

mjtyson — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 10:01:24 GMT

Had a great swim yday, despite the ugly weather. Even when there's rain and overcast with clouds, still love being in the open water. 12154

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Former Member — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:07:28 GMT

So I can wear my Borat mankini ;) Does that qualify as a wetsuit or no? 🤔

RE: Why are you Swimming??

mjtyson — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 01:04:20 GMT

This is why I swim in open water. 12137 So stinkin' pretty!

RE: Why are you Swimming??

flystorms — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 09:22:20 GMT

Paul OMG I'm dying! Yes, do the mankini, as long as it's a bright neon color and you haven't shaved in.... forever!

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Former Member — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 16:40:43 GMT

I like lakes. I mean, the personal relationships I have with a number of lakes is closer and more rewarding than most of my interpersonal relations. So, it's nice to visit my old-friend-lakes and make new-friend-lakes with a bunch of people. Sometimes they give me ribbons for being in my age group and finishing.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 03:37:08 GMT

So I can wear my Borat mankini ;)

RE: Why are you Swimming??

mjtyson — Mon, 13 May 2019 08:31:07 GMT

I love the no walls. I love the no chlorine. I race ("race") because I love the jostling of the start and I love pushing myself to see how far or fast I can go. I also love the people that do marathon swimming. So nice and supportive.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Former Member — Sat, 11 May 2019 10:04:13 GMT

I like several things, the most of which is beautiful, warm, tropical water and the vacations that come with it. I love the strategy needed to be competitive, from feeds to navigation to pacing. It’s feeling one with nature. It’s getting out of your own mind I do OWS because there are no walls and barriers such that I can swim continuously without breaking my rhythm. Also, I love to meditate in open water - floating and sinking far out in a calm sea with clear water and where I can't see the bottom, with no one else and no traffic around, getting the feeling of weightlessness. However, the beautiful warm tropical water and the vacations there you are describing is actually a torture for me. My swimming mood won't work well in warm water (i.e. non wetsuit legal temperature) and I feel tired very easily when the water is too warm, i.e. temperature in the eighties. Instead, I love beautiful clear water which is cool enough such that I can swim hours without getting overheated , like temperature in the sixties.

RE: Why are you Swimming??

flystorms — Fri, 10 May 2019 08:46:02 GMT

RE: Why are you Swimming??

Former Member — Thu, 09 May 2019 13:35:43 GMT

Up until this past Tuesday, I was first and foremost a runner...for the past 47 years. I had to retire from running due to knee issues. Had surgery 1.5 years ago an never got it all back. About 15 years ago I started swimming so I could do tris. I really enjoyed the open water swims. Now that I can no longer run, I have turned my attention to swimming. I did my first three 5K's last summer and plan to do a 4.5 mile river swim next month. It's a great workout and pain free on the knee. I'm swimming faster now at 61 than I did when I was 40.