Open Water Swim

Okay last week was the long awaited (dreaded) swim in the Bay at Coyote Point.  I put on my polar perfect fitting wet suit, my swim cap, booties, and googles.  It was around 8:30am last Saturday.  We were to swim out to a kayak, swim around it and back to shore.  It would take around 10 to 15 minutes and then we were to stay in the water to await our next drill.

Well I dove into the water and started swimming freestyle (Australian Crawl) with my face in the water.  I could not breathe (I thought I was going to die), my hands were so cold that every time they hit the water there was a feeling that a 1000 needles were entering my skin.  I made it to the kayak.  I could not put my face into the water any longer, I just could not breathe.  I swam breast stroke back to the shore (which the coaches didn't want us to do).  I assumed  I was the last to make it back, however I didn't know because I was in a daze.  I got out of the water and headed immediately to the car to get warm.  I said to myself, "I'm not going back in the water, no more Bay Area open water swims for me".  In fact this was one of the top five stupid things I have ever done in my entire life.

Kevin eventually came back to our car.  I told him that I was done. no more open water swims in the Bay Area for me.  He stated that the coaches called off the rest of the practice.  What I experienced, everyone was experiencing.  In fact, I finished in the middle of the pack, and some didn't make it to the kayak before returning to shore.  Also the coaches cancelled all the open water swims in the Bay.  The exceptionally cold weather caused the Bay water to be colder than in prior years.  Our coaches said the swim was not safe!!!!

Okay, so I wasn't the biggest wimp (that I thought I was).  I actually survived 10 to 15 minutes in the freezing Bay Area water.  It was still stupid and something I won't be attempting again.

I guess when I swim in Hawaii, it will be my first practice (and actual event) in open water swimming.  At least I'm doing the distance in the pool in around 40 minutes.

Early Sunday morning Kevin and I got on a plane to Deer Valley, Utah for 5 days of skiing.  I had to take a break from freezing water, bike accidents, and an aching body. Yes, somehow I thought it would be good for my body to ski 6 hours every day for five straight days :)

We got back from a wonderful 5 days (sunny every day and great ski conditions) yesterday.  Kevin and I went out for a run (my first since my bike accident).  I was able to run (slower than before the accident) and my butt was hurting with every step, but at least I could run, so my body is healing.  Now I have got to get back on the bike.  I haven't done that yet, I think I'm a bit scared, but I have to quickly get over that and get cycling.

That is the latest update on open water swim, and recovery from the bike accident.  More to come....

Lynn

Comments

[Marty]

Sorry to hear about the bike incident Lynn. Potentially you can pilot Michael's idea of the Bike Cocoon - I recommend the viscous fluid option. Looks like I also came in last on the swim bet. I can just see you hitting the water now. 1 minute in, a giant cigarette boat-like fantail coming from your legs as you part the bay with your incredible speed - head up so as not to hit a waterborne 2x4 (remember the bike incident) AND to ensure that you do not get your face cold. I imagine with the speed you describe you likely also increased the temperature in the ENTIRE bay by at least 10 degrees (reference the Benoulli effect describing fluid, speed and temperature).

[Anne]

Good luck with getting back on the bike -- I know you'll have in conquered in no time. I also saw the great pictures of your home gym in the Silicon Valley Home insert in the Merc this Sunday. We were reading the morning paper, and all of a sudden, I shouted out, "Look! It's Lynn!! It's Lynn -- she looks so great" and Sam and the kids thought I was a bit nuts (but then again, that's nothing new!). It was a nice article and the gym looks great as do you. Let me know if for any reason you didn't get a copy and I'll send it to you.

[Shea]

Are you a member of the Golden Gate Triathlon Club? If not, they seem like a real nice group of people. It may be worth joining. I'm one of their sponsors.

Aren't there some nearby lakes to practice your open water swimming? That's all we really have in Minnesota, aside from Lake Superior.

[Shripriya]

How about going to Hawaii for a vacation and practicing your open water swim there? Vacation plus practice!

I can empathize - I just got back from a month in India and going from 85 to 15 degrees is super-painful! (and yes, this is as close as I am willing to get to experiencing bone-chilling cold!)