Brief Dip in the Water on the 8th

     The water was calm, flat, and warm (60-62) on the 8th of May.  I wanted to try out the rig recommended by the physical therapist so I don't turn my neck.  I tried swim goggles this time with a snorkel stuck up the side of the strap. It doesn't work well enough  to do it. I only stayed in for 7 minutes - no energy.  Too bad; it was beautiful.


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Pier Swim Oceanside Choppy. Happy Birthday Mom

   

 I got myself into the water again today, and it was earlier--about 10 AM.  The water was a choppy, wishy-washy mess.  The chop was 1-2 foot all around the Pier.  There were 2 surfers on the north side (the right side) and about 6 on the south side. I had trouble turning my neck.  I think I'll stop the physical therapy for that.  I don't see how it's supposed to work if there's a piece of metal in there to prevent turning.
The water was warm.  Surfline had it at 60-62 but I walked right in like a native with my tight shorts.  It's really not a pretty sight; that picture will never make it on the blog.
I'm glad I got out there.  I was swimming against a mild current and the swim was 34 minutes.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

One month with no salt water; I think it's a record for me.

A couple of geese in our pool for Spring mating, I guess.

 
 Brigid said I look homeless in this photo. It is my after-swim cold and miserable face.

 The tide is staying soooo low for weeks.

 Hardly anybody in the water today--very sloppy and somewhat rough.

 S

I have missed so much water time. Two weeks ago my physical therapist told me to swim with a snorkel and a mask so that I would not have to turn my head to breathe.  I bought a new snorkel and busted out my thirty-year-old military dive mask.  The water was coming in hard as I entered to try out this new rig.  I hung with it for ten minutes and gave up.  I may try something a bit different.  The problem today was that my mask stayed foggy and wet as I swam out into the continuous waves.
I may have given up too soon.  My swim was in 60-62 degree water today; one could just walk right in.  It was hard swimming out with a two-foot chop and a strong northward current with the chop slapping me on the left side of my head.
About a half-hour to get out past the pier.  Then I finished at 48 minutes.  It's so nice to have that relief from back pain while in the water, and such a bummer when I get back on the sand and have difficulty bending over to pick up a seashell.
The neck hurts IN the water as I rotate my head to breathe.  Crazy stuff.
Refreshing, invigorating, pleasant, a little scary, and satisfaction with a job well done.  Lots of emotions during my ocean swims.


"The first time you quit is the last time you try."