First, I want to show you the water. You can’t always tell in photos how harsh it is. Video is better because it captures the sound, and even the sound is harsh. I usually film the water before I get in, but today I had to wait until I was out of the water and dressed. If you think the water seems too dark and cold, you are missing out, my friends. Today was my first experience wearing a wetsuit. They f-ing work!!!! Game changer. I sat and watched this seagull…
Tag: cold-water-swimming
3mm Makes All the Dif
Today at the lake …the Lake Witch is f-ing back. Wow. What a difference a wetsuit makes. I got back in the water today, and tried to rock it. The new gear made all the difference. I was hoping for a calm, flat water day,…
The Plane
Today at the lake…it was cold, windy, and kind of bitchy. Or maybe just aloof that comes across as bitchy. I was meeting a new swim buddy and with my caretaker, M. I got cold and tired of waiting, so I decided to go in. The waves were making noise, and the water was dark.…
Spun Around
Today at the lake it got ugly. For the first time I am starting to doubt that I can keep doing this. The water was so cold. I felt like the back of my head and neck were going to freeze. I’m reading a book on the brain and PTSD, and just last night I was learning (relearning, cause I once knew this) the different parts of the brain. As I tried to move forward, focussing on moving my arms and legs to propel me to the place beyond the cement dock, I was trying to remember which parts of my brain were in the place that was freezing and if I was going to hurt myself being in such cold water. Would the primitive part of my brain even work if I needed a fight-or-flight boost to flee the lake if something bad happened? No, it totally wouldn’t. My arms were so cold, like to-the-bone cold. They felt really skinny, which I sort of liked, and I knew they were strong enough to keep working. Usually I forget the…
Flat Water Better
Today I had my friend, M, bring me to the lake because I wanted to see and hear the water, then go for a walk in the paths and count bunnies. On the way to the park I told her that I might have to give up lake swimming until spring, and that I felt ok with that. But then we arrived at the park, and…
Getting Out is Worse
Today at the lake….I learned that getting out of the water after my swim is harder and way more unpleasant than getting in the water. Today I had two people with me, a swim buddy, and a guy who arrived at the same time. I suggested we all go in together so we wouldn’t back out. My buddy had all…
Sighting
Today at the lake it was sunny and warm. Lots of picnics in the shelter areas, and others walking in the park. I met with a new swim buddy today, and I was so relieved to meet her. I put in so much effort trying to find swim partners, and I was going to give up and…
Alone
Today at the lake it was miserable. Cold, grey, and wet. I thought it was drizzling, but when I left my house I realized it was actually raining. I didn’t care. First I stopped by the closest beach, just down the road. There was nobody in the water, and two guys just hanging around. I didn’t feel safe, so drove to my other beach. Still nobody…
Where am I?
Today at the lake it was dark and a bit ominous. I ran into two women from the swim club on their way out of the lake; they couldn’t have had less interested in talking to me. M thinks they were just preoccupied, but I feel…
New Water Shoes
Today at the lake it was grey and cold. And windy, so the mini waves made it harder to swim. The water was the coldest it’s every been for me. I usually walk quite casually out to waist- or tit-deep water, then start my swim. Today I had to dive in a thigh-level. It wasn’t shocking cold or MN butt cold, but more like wow…