It just keeps getting better and better! Better weather, warmer water… and more people! So, those makin’ the cut this week were: Darren, (with the best attendance record in the wetsuit category so far this year!)… Bill, on a roll too (two in a row still counts as a roll, doesn’t it?)… and the long list of newbies this week included: Melanie Price (already in great shape
from swimming BMSC this winter), Wesley (looking to be in fine form too)… Mike Marshall (back for his first ows in over a year because of back injuries… and looking none the worse for wear!)… and the very speedy Jackie Smallec (fresh off of her age group win and qualifying spot for the Hawaii Ironman at the beautiful 1/2 Ironman in St. Croix!… and yes, that is one of the very few 1/2 IM’s where you can qualify for a spot in the full IM in Kona!… and, no, she’s never done a full IM!… cool.) So including lil’ ol’ me, that brings the total to 7!!! Awesome. (remember, this is ows, you don’t get usually get the kinda crowd out for swimming that you get for a big run or a whole peleton of swimmers… lookin’ good!)
Well, the water was a flat as any pool you’ll ever swim in… a bit rainy (but who cares, we were all planning on getting wet anyway!)… air temp was about 16C… and… drum roll, please… the water temp was over 60F! (about 62F actually). Mike, Bill and Wesley did 3 laps (3km) and looked warm and none the worse for wear. Jackie, Mel and I did 4 laps (4km)… and I have to say, Jackie was pushing me all the way and Mel was hot on our heels. Great swim girls!
I dropped them off and got a bit of a warm drink and continued on my way. I had envisioned plans of going for about 4 hours, however, I only made it 2 hours or 6 laps (6km). I was too cold (I was the only one not in a wetsuit, of course!)and given that I was now on my own, I decided to play it safe and not to send myself too deep into hypothermia. I was a bit disappointed as I was hoping to make it further before the cold set in, as I’ve swum a lot further than that in 60F water… but with more cold water training that what I have under my belt right now. On the up side, last weekend I was only able to do 3 laps in 58F water and this week I was able to do 6 laps in 62F water… so at least my cold water acclimatization for MIMS is improving… I just hope I don’t run out of time before I’m in good cold water shape… MIMS is only 3 weeks away!
PS. I’ll be out there tomorrow, not sure the time exactly, they told us that they would prefer us starting at 9:00 am, not 8:00 am (as we have been so far). But if you want to go for a dip tomorrow or Monday, just drop me an email… I’ll be there!
Cheers,
Rob