19Nov13 - Sharing the WFPBC love around the world!

Arrived early today.  As I was walking to the boat ramp to get a temp reading, there were two Asian people watching me.  They were married and asked if I was going for a swim.  We ended up chatting for a few minutes.  They were on a 30 day vacation from China and are going to drive across the U.S.  They wanted to see the GSL because they saw pictures of it in a book they have at home.

Spreading some SLOW love around the world!!!

 I talked about our group, the swims we do, our polar bear club, and the GSL race we do each summer.  I then gave them a Got Salt? fridge magnet.  I have a goal now to get a Got Salt magnet in at least ONE home on every continent.  2 down and 5 to go....Antarctica will be tough!  They were pretty excited and stuck around to see Gordon and I get in.

Dang we are good lookin'!!!

Did just under 2 laps today.  Water temp was 49 degrees.  I was in for around 17 minutes so I earned my cap again this year!  Gordon did 3 laps and looked good.  I keep thinking as I am swimming in the cold:
1) I could do another ice mile.  I'm fine right now and only my fingers and lip are cold.
2) SCREW THAT....don't you remember how recovery was?  Are you an idiot?  You have nothing to prove........NOTHING TO PROVE.....
3) Nah, it wasn't so bad........
4) Repeat 1-3 every 5 seconds

.3 miles OW

12Nov13

Met Gords at GSL marina today after work.  Water temp was 51.  He swam 4 laps and I did 2.  After my second lap, I just laid in the water looking at the clouds and relaxing.  30 min in and felt fine.

1/2 mile

9Nov13 - SDRC swim meet

Up at 0500 and carpooled with Josh to South Davis Rec Center.  Gordon runs a swim meet each year and it is close and fun.
I decided to try a "pentathlon" style meet today.  I would do all the free events.  Josh was doing the same thing.  The 1650 was first.  I had eaten a doughnut with some chocolate milk for breakfast before heading out.  Normally I'm fine with eating but today my stomach was not moving.
I did 10 laps for a warm-up nice and easy.  Josh was going to count my 1650.  I had NO intention of doing anything remotely fast with my swimming today...especially the mile!
After about 20 laps, my stomach started to turn over every time I did a flip turn.  I felt my stomach getting tighter and slowed my pace down.  I then did a few open turns on the far wall which helped.
I finished feeling okay but it did cross my mind that if I pushed it at ALL or did too many more flip turns then I would get sick in the pool.
I then counted for Josh.  I watched him and Gordon swimming.  Both were great.  Gordon is on some serious adrenaline when he swims.  He went under 20 minutes.  I couldn't do that with fins!
I did the relays with some other team mates.  SLOW was represented today by Gordon, Josh, Stacey, Sue, Todd, and me.  (I hope I didn't forget anyone)
We all had a good time and I think we got someone to cheer for us for each event.  I seriously have such a good time with this team.  We all do our best and truly care how we do.  Not to be competitive with others but just to see each of us do our individual best.  Having a good time and cheering each other on is what we really care about.
I have not swam in a pool since the last swim meet.  I was surprised by some of my times.

1650 - 25:43
50 - 28.23
500 - 7:29
100 - 1:11
200 - 2:41
I also did 50 fly and 50 free for relays.  I will get back into the pool in December and start really busting my butt in January.
Overall, it was a fun day and I'm glad Gordon does this race each year.

All my events plus warm-ups and cool-downs = 3600 SCY

8Nov13

I was unable to make the GSL yesterday and so I was eager to make it today.  Gordon was busy with his swim meet tomorrow.  Josh had work to finish and Jim was at Deer Creek.  Fortunately, Jim called and was interested in meeting me anyway.
We met up at 1630 and I was already at the boat ramp ready to get in.  Jim never hesitates and always is the first one in.  Today was no exception.  We talked for maybe 10 seconds before he was wading in.  I was right next to him and got in.  Water temp was 50.  It felt cold but good.  I noticed something almost immediately, my chest was warm.  I felt like I was wearing a sweater.  Everyone in our group has read reports by people who have done research on this effect.  There is a certain point where your brain knows what you are going to do and starts to send blood to your core before you even get in.  I have officially reached that point.  I was cold for MAYBE 20 seconds then my chest felt great.  My hands and feet did the usual hurting but not unbearable.
Jim and I made our way out of the marina and to the red buoy.  It was a PERFECT day on the lake.  There were even some boats out in the distance.  Made our way back and I put my face in for some real swimming.  My top lip hurt pretty bad but my face and head were okay.  We got out at the same time...right at 30 minutes.
The warm up phase was pretty good today.  I shivered most of the way home but could not stop thinking about how warm my core felt the entire swim.
400 yards OW

1Nov13 - 2013-14 WFPBC

Went to the GSL after work today.  The four founders of the WFPBC all met today.  Josh, Gords, Jim, and myself went for a swim.  It was GREAT to be back in the lake.  It was really sad to see how low the water was but I was soon cheered up when I got in.  Water temp was 54 and I adjusted so fast that I was surprised.  My hands were a bit cold but soon were fine after 10 minutes.  Gords went for a few laps in the marina while the rest of us just waded around and chatted.  We all went to the end of the marina where we got a free show of a boat getting stuck trying to leave the marina.  The guy directing the boat clearly didn't know where he was going and nearly ran them into the rocks.  He fixed it at the LAST second only to bottom out and get stuck at the opening.  We all had a good laugh.
Was in around 30 minutes today.  I barely started to get a bit cold at the end because I was standing around for awhile.  When I was moving I was fine.

250 yards OW