I tried to get in the lake on Monday, however the elements were waging war with my nerves. I was at a large beach at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah. The water was nasty, the beach was nasty, and the swimming area was nasty. It made me wonder if this was a park that was going to close down. There were sticks sticking out of the water in the swimming area, and it really gave the impression that they didn't want anybody at the beach. That with the fact that it was starting to rain, and the water was below 60 degrees won the fight. It was an unsuccessful day. Even knowing there was a triathlon there 2 days before, I wasn't able to pull myself to do it.
So today I decided on my way to work to give the lake another try. I didn't tell my wife as I left (I didn't know I was going to at the time), so this is the way that she's going to find out about it. I don't suggest not telling a spouse what you are doing as you are a team, so I feel guilty about it...Especially after watching this movie:
I am very confident as a swimmer but there is still anxiety that lurks in the back of my mind that tells me to always inform her of my plans.
I swim great, I have a visible swim cap, and I can't sink in a wetsuit but I still have anxiety about some wierd possibility...
Anyways...
So today, I went to Idylwood Park in Redmond. It is on the opposite (note: nice) side of Lake Sammamish. On the drive I decided that I should just get in, submerge myself, figure it out, and then get out. Since I didn't leave the house incredibly early there wasn't any way that I would be able to get a real workout in anyways. In the car, I turned the fan to cold and turned it all the way up. I figured I should start slowing my blood flow now instead of getting the shock when I hit the water.
I got to the beach and put on the sleeveless wetsuit. The air was cold and the sand was cold but I knew that the water was equally as cold. I put on a swimcap to keep my head dry and put my goggles on my head. Again, I didn't plan on swimming but it's always smart to be prepared.
I stood at the edge of the water. That 59 degree water. As I began my diatribe of doubt, I decided to just suck it up, shut up, and walk in...just like I do in rivers every summer.
Ultimately, it really wasn't that bad. My feet and arms were hurting, but I wasn't paying attention to that because the water was dripping in from the zipper of the wetsuit slowly filling it up. Believe me. You don't notice how cold your extremities are while drops of cold water are trickling down your back.
It was uncomfortable while the temperatures were neutralizing and I was trying to grasp the severity of what I had just done to myself but after about a minute, there I was...In the water, and somewhat comfortable. SUCCESS!!! My breathing was labored and I had to keep my limbs moving, but other than that I felt like I had a stable heart rate and my body was managing it quite well. I didn't feel like there was a fear of hypothermia, even though my limbs were quite cold.
It was a good thing that I had my goggles with me, because at this point I felt it was natural to try a little swimming. I did. Considering the water was under 60 degrees, with a swim cap on and the wetsuit on, it felt cold...but not freezing.
I know this sounds a little wierd, but it is a really good feeling to be out in open water in the morning with nobody or nothing around and looking up at the sky. It just felt right to pray for a minute.
So I put my goggles on, and started swimming to the "No Boats" bouys. I touched 3 of the bouys and returned. Looking later, it looks like it was about 1/3 of a mile...So I feel good.
When I got out of the water, somebody was just coming down to the beach. They had a look as if they thought I was crazy. "Good Morning!", I said omitting the "Yes, I also think I am a little crazy."
I was insanely dizzy when I got out and could not keep my balance at all. I kept wavering back and forth.
I returned to the car, and headed up to work with a little smile of success stuck on my face. I knew that there is nobody that I would talk to today that had that experience.
So today I decided on my way to work to give the lake another try. I didn't tell my wife as I left (I didn't know I was going to at the time), so this is the way that she's going to find out about it. I don't suggest not telling a spouse what you are doing as you are a team, so I feel guilty about it...Especially after watching this movie:
I swim great, I have a visible swim cap, and I can't sink in a wetsuit but I still have anxiety about some wierd possibility...
Anyways...
So today, I went to Idylwood Park in Redmond. It is on the opposite (note: nice) side of Lake Sammamish. On the drive I decided that I should just get in, submerge myself, figure it out, and then get out. Since I didn't leave the house incredibly early there wasn't any way that I would be able to get a real workout in anyways. In the car, I turned the fan to cold and turned it all the way up. I figured I should start slowing my blood flow now instead of getting the shock when I hit the water.
I got to the beach and put on the sleeveless wetsuit. The air was cold and the sand was cold but I knew that the water was equally as cold. I put on a swimcap to keep my head dry and put my goggles on my head. Again, I didn't plan on swimming but it's always smart to be prepared.
I stood at the edge of the water. That 59 degree water. As I began my diatribe of doubt, I decided to just suck it up, shut up, and walk in...just like I do in rivers every summer.
Ultimately, it really wasn't that bad. My feet and arms were hurting, but I wasn't paying attention to that because the water was dripping in from the zipper of the wetsuit slowly filling it up. Believe me. You don't notice how cold your extremities are while drops of cold water are trickling down your back.
It was uncomfortable while the temperatures were neutralizing and I was trying to grasp the severity of what I had just done to myself but after about a minute, there I was...In the water, and somewhat comfortable. SUCCESS!!! My breathing was labored and I had to keep my limbs moving, but other than that I felt like I had a stable heart rate and my body was managing it quite well. I didn't feel like there was a fear of hypothermia, even though my limbs were quite cold.
It was a good thing that I had my goggles with me, because at this point I felt it was natural to try a little swimming. I did. Considering the water was under 60 degrees, with a swim cap on and the wetsuit on, it felt cold...but not freezing.
I know this sounds a little wierd, but it is a really good feeling to be out in open water in the morning with nobody or nothing around and looking up at the sky. It just felt right to pray for a minute.
So I put my goggles on, and started swimming to the "No Boats" bouys. I touched 3 of the bouys and returned. Looking later, it looks like it was about 1/3 of a mile...So I feel good.
When I got out of the water, somebody was just coming down to the beach. They had a look as if they thought I was crazy. "Good Morning!", I said omitting the "Yes, I also think I am a little crazy."
I was insanely dizzy when I got out and could not keep my balance at all. I kept wavering back and forth.
I returned to the car, and headed up to work with a little smile of success stuck on my face. I knew that there is nobody that I would talk to today that had that experience.
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