Friday Swim. Monday is the Labor Day Pier Swim

No need for photos today--Friday. The water was just like yesterday. 32 minutes around the Pier.  I saw 2 large dolphins far out swimming along relaxing past the surfers.  By the time I got that far out, they were long gone.  I felt great today on my swim--really great.  I think I improved a bit over the last couple of weeks.  Lots of surfers stretched along the beach, with small but nice waves to keep them excited.  Also the last two days were great for new surfers.  I saw some of those.  Surfing is like fishing; you don't have to be good to enjoy it.
Today there were many bands of COLD water and warm water.  The cold was nice.
I don't feel like writing tonight.  Take it for granted that you need to get in the water if you can, even if you are a broken-down old fool like me.



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

Special Prep Swim Oceanside Labor Day Mile Pier Swim

Thursday was excellent at the Pier. So flat, CLEAN, mellow, no currents, ripples, no nada.  Just a glorious swim.  I did my Pier in 30 minutes.  I never do that.  This was 3 minutes quicker, and the tide wasn't low.  I felt good about my stroke, its efficiency, and my relaxation.  Not many people there-just lucky beachgoers.  The back was medium bad last night, but not horrible.
I have some photos.

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

Another Prep Mile Swim for Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim

I went earlier to the beach today to get a prep swim in for the Labor Day Pier Swim.  I am getting excited about it.  Last night was very painful with my back but ok this morning.  The water was fantastic.  Blue water with the best visibility that I remember for us: approximately 20 feet visibility. Amazing here.  Temp about 61 to 63 degrees per surfline.com with waves 1-2 feet.  This was a great day for beginning surfers to get out in the prime areas because no surfers were there.
I saw about 8 swimmers going around the pier, probably also getting ready for the feel of the upcoming pier swim.
I have said it before but I'll say it again: This stuff is free folks!  We will now be coming into my favorite fall and winter months when the beach is quiet and barely used except for the surfers.
I was concentrating on my form today, my breathing bilaterally, and stroke efficiency.  My swim time was 33:50.  I knocked 2 minutes off of my swim time.  It was mellow water, though.  But I'll take it.


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

Prep Swim for the Labor Day Pier Swim

I signed up for the Pier Swim on Labor Day.  I'll get some practice swims in to get my wind back.  My back is holding up with the brace.  The water was warm today but kinda' wishy washy back and forth.  I felt like I swam slowly but the time was 36 minutes.  Good visibility at about 10-15 feet.  Beautiful day.  Not many people at the beach.  A success.  It's nice to be able to get there.


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

Nice Oceanside One Mile Pier Swim

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

I took the camera but I didn't give a rat's you-know-what for taking photos today.  I parked free (up to 4 hours free) 2 blocks back from the Pier today.  You can't beat that deal with a stick.  The water was lovely, inviting, and comforting.  Probably low sixties, but I got used to it fast: 2 minutes.

I'm wearing that white wide elastic back support every time I swim now and it is helping me so much.  I didn't get extra pain from yesterdays swim, and today's swim will probably just give me a little increased pain.  I wish I had thought of it sooner; my wife bought it for me at a garage sale about 4 months ago.  I have lost some weight and could use the next size down, I think.

So there was not one surfer at the Pier today because the waves were so small.  There was a decent shaped wave every now and then but the real surfers need the big excitement.  By the way, I recently saw that movie :Looking for Maverick's, or something like that, and it was very good.

It is time for the yearly Labor Day Pier Swim; I think I will swim it this year.  Although it pains me to pay $40 to do what I can do for nothing.

My mile Pier swim today was 37 minutes but my wind wasn't great.  I felt slow.  I felt that the water, although flat and calm, was pushing me side to side and slowing me down.  And I didn't have the extra juice to pick up the pace and finish strong.  Oh well.

I love the water.  By that I mean the ocean or the beach.  There is a flushing or cleansing that occurs out there alone that I haven't found anywhere else.  That may be a blog for another day.

End of Summer Swim South of the Pier Near Wisconsin St

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

llllll

The swim yesterday was 35 minutes in 62-63 degree water.  The water was smooth and beautiful.  So relaxing and weightless.  I can't figure out my computer so the heck with it.  When grren is mixed in with the blue water, as yesterday, Oceanside has a tropical feel to it.