Got picked up by Kim at 0530 this morning and we headed to Antelope Island. I didn't get a real opening time when I contacted them so I just risked it. We were at the gate a bit after 0600. The gates were open even though the Ranger post was closed. SWEET deal.
Kim has been pretty apprehensive about doing the 8 mile swim next Sat. The last time we went to Antelope, she got a bit sick and her tongue got really trashed even though she was in for only a little bit. We talked about her breathing technique and how you have to modify it some out there to minimize water coming in. I could tell she was really focusing on it because she was swimming much slower than normal and was going all over the place. It was pretty funny actually. Went out until we were parallel with the bridge coming to the island then swam back. That's about 1.3 miles total round trip. I asked if she wanted more and she did. She was getting a small rub mark on her inner arm from her suit. I rubbed some grease from my neck and greased the spot a bit better. I then suggested that she try doing what most OW marathon women do and just go topless. I swam ahead about 20 yards and she went for it. (Sorry, no pics :-o) Honestly we could have been side by side and with the extreme murkiness of GSL, it wouldn't have mattered! She was an INSTANT convert. She kept saying over and over how great it felt and how much better she was with her top rolled down. I just laughed. She's positive now that she's going to do the 8 mile the same way. Her husband is paddling for her so I'm sure he won't mind. We did another lap and finished at 2.6 miles.
When she got out she wasn't feeling sick and her tongue/mouth was in pretty good shape too. The mental barrier of doubt that had been build was destroyed. She is now really looking forward to the 8 mile.
Great job Kim!!!
2.6 miles OW today
Another nice note is that this month, I have logged over 77 miles of swimming. Last month it was 45. I really cranked it up.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
30May12 - Challenge complete!
Today was the last day of school! It was a nice drive home knowing I have a few months off from teaching. I headed straight for the pool and was scheduled to do 4400. Once I got done, I just wanted to do some more so I added another 1600 on to make it an even 6k. I hate ending workouts on anything other than a 500 or even 1000 mark. Guess it's just one of my weirdo quirks!
One thing that I'm happy about is that today I officially completed my "Karen Rogers Challenge". I made this up but wanted to try it anyway. Karen said during swim camp that she hasn't taken a hot shower in years. She only takes cold showers. I wanted to try this out but only for a week. I can honestly say that for every shower I took this last week, the water was cold. It wasn't on freezing but it was definitely below even the slightest amount of warm. It took a few minutes to adjust each time but then it felt good. The amount of adjustment time decreased each day also. Today it was practically nothing when the cold water was pouring over my hot body.....hehe
I can't say that I'm going to keep doing this but it really wasn't as bad as I expected. It may be helping my cold water tolerance or it may not be. I don't care because I do know that it IS invigorating as hell!
6000 yards today
One thing that I'm happy about is that today I officially completed my "Karen Rogers Challenge". I made this up but wanted to try it anyway. Karen said during swim camp that she hasn't taken a hot shower in years. She only takes cold showers. I wanted to try this out but only for a week. I can honestly say that for every shower I took this last week, the water was cold. It wasn't on freezing but it was definitely below even the slightest amount of warm. It took a few minutes to adjust each time but then it felt good. The amount of adjustment time decreased each day also. Today it was practically nothing when the cold water was pouring over my hot body.....hehe
I can't say that I'm going to keep doing this but it really wasn't as bad as I expected. It may be helping my cold water tolerance or it may not be. I don't care because I do know that it IS invigorating as hell!
6000 yards today
Monday, May 28, 2012
28May12
Great swim today. Met with Gords at Pineview for an early morning long swim. We were in the water before 0700 and it was a bit chilly. Air temp was 45. Before getting in, we reenacted Gordon hitchhiking in his Robaquatics speedo. It was AWESOME.
Once we got in, I took a minute to adjust then we were off for several dam buoy routes. I really like this route because you only really have to slowly turn once and you can just use the dam as a sighting and just zone out and swim for awhile before having to worry about navigating.
The water was pretty chilly and after the first lap I asked Gords the temp. He said it was 57. I was amazed at how good I felt. My shoulders were a TINY bit chilly along with my toes but I felt really comfortable. I was just hoping it would last. The temp stayed at 57 for another lap then 58 for 3rd lap then 59-60 for my last lap. I never got cold to the point of being uncomfortable. This really lifted my spirits because I knew without a doubt that I could have stayed in sub 60 water all day and it never would have gotten to me.
After each lap I had to refill my drink and then get a quick feed. Gords was great in waiting for me while I did this.
The most beautiful thing about today was swimming as the sun rose above the mountains. Pictures didn't do it justice but Gords and I stopped a few times to just admire how great it looked and take a few pics. There was a light mist over the lake and rays of sunlight coming down from pockets in the clouds. It was truly mesmerizing.
I made a "special" milk jug that I hoped people would take a hint to leave my drink alone. I think it worked!
After 4 laps I was at 7.5 miles. I had a family obligation to get to so I had to get out. My shoulders were a bit sore but I know that I could easily have kept going and going.
I felt really proud of myself for today. I know I'm ready for Catalina but swims like this solidify it. I went a long time in water colder than I will get at Catalina and it barely effected me. I also felt really good after 7.5 miles. I needed some Vitamin I pretty bad but other than that, my energy was holding well.
I also had a great swim with my training buddy Gordon. The last leg back he dragged my SSD behind him and I was able to work on some mental training. I had him swim to my side 3-5 yards away with his head at my hip. This is where I'll want my support swimmers when I do Catalina so it was a good visual for me and good practice for him. Thanks for always being willing to help Gordon. Days like today are proof that NO ONE completes a ultra-marathon swim alone. Many people help along the way and today was no exception.
7.5 today WOOT!
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| What the driver saw when we had to hitch a ride during Swim Camp minus Cathy and me...I'm taking the pic! |
 |
| What we looked like when they passed by and whistled or cat called us. (Notice the representation on his ass!) |
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| Finally someone picked him up so he could come to get us....{sad face} |
Once we got in, I took a minute to adjust then we were off for several dam buoy routes. I really like this route because you only really have to slowly turn once and you can just use the dam as a sighting and just zone out and swim for awhile before having to worry about navigating.
 |
| Gords and I on first lap |
The water was pretty chilly and after the first lap I asked Gords the temp. He said it was 57. I was amazed at how good I felt. My shoulders were a TINY bit chilly along with my toes but I felt really comfortable. I was just hoping it would last. The temp stayed at 57 for another lap then 58 for 3rd lap then 59-60 for my last lap. I never got cold to the point of being uncomfortable. This really lifted my spirits because I knew without a doubt that I could have stayed in sub 60 water all day and it never would have gotten to me.
After each lap I had to refill my drink and then get a quick feed. Gords was great in waiting for me while I did this.
The most beautiful thing about today was swimming as the sun rose above the mountains. Pictures didn't do it justice but Gords and I stopped a few times to just admire how great it looked and take a few pics. There was a light mist over the lake and rays of sunlight coming down from pockets in the clouds. It was truly mesmerizing.
 |
| So beautiful today |
I made a "special" milk jug that I hoped people would take a hint to leave my drink alone. I think it worked!
 |
| AIDS, HERPES....oh yeah...and a COLD!!! LOL |
After 4 laps I was at 7.5 miles. I had a family obligation to get to so I had to get out. My shoulders were a bit sore but I know that I could easily have kept going and going.
I felt really proud of myself for today. I know I'm ready for Catalina but swims like this solidify it. I went a long time in water colder than I will get at Catalina and it barely effected me. I also felt really good after 7.5 miles. I needed some Vitamin I pretty bad but other than that, my energy was holding well.
I also had a great swim with my training buddy Gordon. The last leg back he dragged my SSD behind him and I was able to work on some mental training. I had him swim to my side 3-5 yards away with his head at my hip. This is where I'll want my support swimmers when I do Catalina so it was a good visual for me and good practice for him. Thanks for always being willing to help Gordon. Days like today are proof that NO ONE completes a ultra-marathon swim alone. Many people help along the way and today was no exception.
7.5 today WOOT!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
26May12
Went to Pineview this morning. A storm was coming around noon and I wanted to get some miles in before it hit. Got to the lake and Kim and Gordon were at least 20 minutes away. I didn't feel like waiting so I got a head start on them. I did a buoy route which is just around a mile and you can see a swimmer doing this route easily from the parking lot. When I got back to the "beach" I met up with Gordon and Kim and we took off for a "dam route". It was pretty calm until we were heading straight at the buoy line. The next 3/4 mile was straight into the wind and against the current. It seemed to take forever to get to the buoy line. The chop was constant and I lost air many times to water being shoved down my throat instead. Water felt really cool too. My toes got cold but the rest of me felt fine.
Once we got to the buoy line we headed back. Going back was MUCH faster. The wind and waves were pushing me so much that my SSD hit me in the back of the head several times. It was pretty funny actually. When we got back to the start, Kim was cold and said she was done. I wasn't feeling that great either but I knew I needed the miles. My shoulders felt like tar and I was hoping the GU I just took would help. It did. I felt much better going out the 2nd time and was even slightly ahead of Gordon. I'm under NO illusion that I was faster than him. It was just that his PFD was dragging him backwards with a much stronger force than mine was. We were within decent sight of the buoy line when a pretty dark cloud came in. It was already raining on us and making the water colder. Gords said it had dropped to 60. Yesterday it was 63-64. I felt good but the clouds didn't look to inviting. I just didn't want to get caught out in the middle of the lake if lightning started.
I waved down Gords and I told him it wasn't worth it and he agreed. Times like these are when I feel like such a wimp but I keep saying "Safety First"!....what a dork! Got back and really wished for more but I could swear I heard a thunder roll when we were almost done.
Got back to my car and I was FREEZING and shaking pretty bad. I was only in my speedo, towel, and a wool cap. I was shaking the whole way home but I kept myself cold on purpose.
GPS read 4.09 for today.
On a side note, it is exactly one month from now when I'll be swimming the Catalina Channel. I can't believe that it's this close already. I have to start working on my taper before I know it. I definitely feel that I'm ready but it just seemed so far away and now it's getting very close!
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| Me, Kim, and Gordon |
Once we got to the buoy line we headed back. Going back was MUCH faster. The wind and waves were pushing me so much that my SSD hit me in the back of the head several times. It was pretty funny actually. When we got back to the start, Kim was cold and said she was done. I wasn't feeling that great either but I knew I needed the miles. My shoulders felt like tar and I was hoping the GU I just took would help. It did. I felt much better going out the 2nd time and was even slightly ahead of Gordon. I'm under NO illusion that I was faster than him. It was just that his PFD was dragging him backwards with a much stronger force than mine was. We were within decent sight of the buoy line when a pretty dark cloud came in. It was already raining on us and making the water colder. Gords said it had dropped to 60. Yesterday it was 63-64. I felt good but the clouds didn't look to inviting. I just didn't want to get caught out in the middle of the lake if lightning started.
 | ||
| Look close and you can see my hand on his shoulder. It looks like I'm trying to push him down....and I WAS! MUHAHAHAHA |
I waved down Gords and I told him it wasn't worth it and he agreed. Times like these are when I feel like such a wimp but I keep saying "Safety First"!....what a dork! Got back and really wished for more but I could swear I heard a thunder roll when we were almost done.
Got back to my car and I was FREEZING and shaking pretty bad. I was only in my speedo, towel, and a wool cap. I was shaking the whole way home but I kept myself cold on purpose.
GPS read 4.09 for today.
On a side note, it is exactly one month from now when I'll be swimming the Catalina Channel. I can't believe that it's this close already. I have to start working on my taper before I know it. I definitely feel that I'm ready but it just seemed so far away and now it's getting very close!
25May12
Decided to go to Pineview after work today to check it out. Got there and did a temp reading of 63 degrees. This made me very happy. Wasn't feeling that great but I had to get something in so I did the dam route. Halfway there my goggles broke. That was fun! I got to the side and fixed them then finished my swim. I was a bit chilly for the first few minutes of the swim but it was only a very slight chill. The rest of the swim I felt great. I was EXTREMELY distracted today while swimming and I couldn't seem to focus on anything relating to swimming. Still wasn't feeling that great after 2 miles so I got out. I'm really short of my weekly quota but it's been a nutso week so I gotta not mentally beat myself up over it. School ends next Wednesday and I have Monday off so making my 20 mile quota shouldn't be a problem.
2 miles OW
2 miles OW
Thursday, May 24, 2012
24May12
Went to the pool this morning and met up with Kim. Did a moderate 4000
1000 warmup
500 kick
ladders by 50 up to 250 then back down. Pull on 50's going up the ladder
500 kick
500 CD
I skipped a good dinner last night and went to bed real early. I felt rested but could feel my empty tank.
Went to GSL this afternoon. It's a bit cooler today so I did a Gridley Straight. Bit of wind and chop but nothing major. Felt like I swam pretty well. I should have done another lap but I just found myself wandering into the marina after one lap. Got to see and chat with Gords and Chad some.
I am a bit behind on my weekly quota. I am going to have to do over 5k tomorrow then probably 2 swims on Sat. I was sick on Monday and depressed yesterday. Ahhhh life....stop getting in the way of my TRAINING!!!
4000 yards in morning and 2.2 miles OW in afternoon
1000 warmup
500 kick
ladders by 50 up to 250 then back down. Pull on 50's going up the ladder
500 kick
500 CD
I skipped a good dinner last night and went to bed real early. I felt rested but could feel my empty tank.
Went to GSL this afternoon. It's a bit cooler today so I did a Gridley Straight. Bit of wind and chop but nothing major. Felt like I swam pretty well. I should have done another lap but I just found myself wandering into the marina after one lap. Got to see and chat with Gords and Chad some.
I am a bit behind on my weekly quota. I am going to have to do over 5k tomorrow then probably 2 swims on Sat. I was sick on Monday and depressed yesterday. Ahhhh life....stop getting in the way of my TRAINING!!!
4000 yards in morning and 2.2 miles OW in afternoon
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
22May12
Yesterday was my 7th wedding anniversary so I took the day off. Slept in while snuggling then came right home after work to take my wife on a long date. It was nice. We went to dinner then I took her to an indoor skydiving place nearby. She was REALLY scared but did it anyway. She loved it in the end. The video was WELL worth the 15 bucks! Then we went to a movie. Got home late and I was settling down for sleep well past my bedtime.
Got to the pool a bit late today and was still sleepy.
500 WU
1000 K
500 pull with new Finis bandless agility hand paddles - actually kinda like these. My fingers didn't feel any pain from pressure spots like some other paddles put on specific areas of fingers while pulling.
10 x 100 on the 2 minute. Hit under 1:25 for each and last one I hit 1:15
500 CD
3500
I plan on hitting GSL this afternoon for about 2 more miles. Nothing much just an easy afternoon swim. I need to slowly make up for me slacking yesterday.
I almost forgot! Karen Rogers who is the official Queen of Lake Tahoe called me yesterday. We talked about camp and how she was recovering from the parasites that dug in her skin and made her feel so bad. She was sorry that she missed Gordon and me when we were at Tahoe but we understood why. She wants us to come back real bad. I did ask her (seeing that she IS the Queen of Lake Tahoe) if it was okay, since Gordon and I did an hour in the lake and over one mile, if it was okay if we could call ourselves the Squires of Lake Tahoe. She laughed hysterically and gave us her blessing. Gordon and I may be the some of the tops dogs of GSL but we are now also the Squires of Lake Tahoe! I am happy with this title. :)
Went to Antelope Island today on the way home. I wanted to do an easy 2 miles but it turned into a small adventure. Water temp was in 70's and I wasn't too happy about this. I need to find colder water! On the way out of the marina, a flock of seagulls were hovering over me. These 20 or so rats with wings stayed right above me for most of the swim. I'd randomly stop and yell at them, "Hey, Piss Off"! I swam NE until I was parallel with the small bridge that leads up to the marina. I then swam straight towards it. Once I got close enough, I felt the push of the water from the flow from the water under the bridge. I swam in place against this current for a few minutes. It was kinda fun swimming on a treadmill. I moved north of the bridge then got a gel and something to drink. I headed back and almost immediately the wind picked up. It was already overcast but the wind started to get real strong. I was being pushed all over the place. Swimming with my SSD is safe but it does create drag. I had to keep swimming in opposite directions of the marina opening in order to get pushed into it. Once inside I was able to swim to the ramp easily. I noticed all the seagulls were just hovering in place against the wind and the US flag was straight out. Glad I was getting out. I didn't have a GPS but I'm very comfortable saying I did 2 miles.
Got to the pool a bit late today and was still sleepy.
500 WU
1000 K
500 pull with new Finis bandless agility hand paddles - actually kinda like these. My fingers didn't feel any pain from pressure spots like some other paddles put on specific areas of fingers while pulling.
10 x 100 on the 2 minute. Hit under 1:25 for each and last one I hit 1:15
500 CD
3500
 |
| Lynn Kubasek showing the paddles we got at swim camp. This is my observer for Catalina! |
I plan on hitting GSL this afternoon for about 2 more miles. Nothing much just an easy afternoon swim. I need to slowly make up for me slacking yesterday.
I almost forgot! Karen Rogers who is the official Queen of Lake Tahoe called me yesterday. We talked about camp and how she was recovering from the parasites that dug in her skin and made her feel so bad. She was sorry that she missed Gordon and me when we were at Tahoe but we understood why. She wants us to come back real bad. I did ask her (seeing that she IS the Queen of Lake Tahoe) if it was okay, since Gordon and I did an hour in the lake and over one mile, if it was okay if we could call ourselves the Squires of Lake Tahoe. She laughed hysterically and gave us her blessing. Gordon and I may be the some of the tops dogs of GSL but we are now also the Squires of Lake Tahoe! I am happy with this title. :)
Went to Antelope Island today on the way home. I wanted to do an easy 2 miles but it turned into a small adventure. Water temp was in 70's and I wasn't too happy about this. I need to find colder water! On the way out of the marina, a flock of seagulls were hovering over me. These 20 or so rats with wings stayed right above me for most of the swim. I'd randomly stop and yell at them, "Hey, Piss Off"! I swam NE until I was parallel with the small bridge that leads up to the marina. I then swam straight towards it. Once I got close enough, I felt the push of the water from the flow from the water under the bridge. I swam in place against this current for a few minutes. It was kinda fun swimming on a treadmill. I moved north of the bridge then got a gel and something to drink. I headed back and almost immediately the wind picked up. It was already overcast but the wind started to get real strong. I was being pushed all over the place. Swimming with my SSD is safe but it does create drag. I had to keep swimming in opposite directions of the marina opening in order to get pushed into it. Once inside I was able to swim to the ramp easily. I noticed all the seagulls were just hovering in place against the wind and the US flag was straight out. Glad I was getting out. I didn't have a GPS but I'm very comfortable saying I did 2 miles.
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