Last Open Water Walden Swim was Wednesday

Well, my swim partner and I did our last Walden swim of this season on Wednesday. I had planned for it to be chilly--until this heatwave struck. It was actually nice--air and water. Water at first was a bit chilly, but I use that adjective loosely. Once I was fully submerged and I put on my swim cap, the temp was just fine.

However, I cannot say the same for myself! It had been about three weeks since our last open water swim. We had planned every Wednesday with the exception of last Wednesday due to my swim partner's work schedule. But then I had to cancel the 12th due to Reach the Beach preparations. So, the last time we swam at Walden was Sept. 5th. This was also the last time I swam, period!

I was surprised b/c I was only a minute slower than usual on the way out, and between 60 - 90 seconds slower on the way back. However, it FELT like I was about 3-5 minutes slower! On teh swim out, my arms were so tired, I just wanted to stop swimming, but I couldn't--and I wouldn't, of course.

When we reached the far side of the pond, I remarked how slow we were. To which my swim partner replied that it had been three weeks. So when I thought about it, one minute slower actually wasn't that bad for no swimming in three weeks! What was bad, was how much I could feel it had been three weeks off!!!!

It was still fun to swim though and I can now say that I have only had one turtle sighting this season. One too many. But at least I can say I saw the turtle.

What is funny is that upon reaching the beach, my swim partner (who had been there for a couple minutes....) said that he heard some guy say to his buddies that he saw a turtle. Thank God I missed that one.

Oh, and speaking of Reach the Beach, those pictures are coming. I pick up the last set tonight and will try to post soon. It will take a while, so I need some seat time at the 'puter to do it.

So, now....indoor pool here I come! October is the month to sign up for Master's Swim!!! I have already contacted the coach for a program/team that has come highly recommended by a couple people I know. I plan to keep my regular Saturday coached pool workout with the crew and supplement with 2x/week workouts in this Masters' program.

And this weekend, I hope to put the skeleton together for some type of off-season plan.

Even though my season officially ends with the Tufts 10K --summer always seems to REALLY end for me Columbus Day weekend, and likewise this weekend simultaneously rings in the start of Autumn. (And I have signed up for the Buzzard's Bay Triathlon...even AFTER seeing John's reconaissance pictures!!!).