A Beach for the Three of Us Today

I'm getting back in the routine again. It's a good feeling to have gotten my freeze on and then follow-up with hot coffee.

Low tide. Two surfers and I had the water to ourselves. Two foot waves, little shape. Surfline has 57 as the water temp but my finely tuned hypothalamus has it a bit warmer--say 59. 

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

I GOT WET TODAY...GREAT EXPERIENCE AT THE HARBOR IN OCEANSIDE, CA

Friday, December 20, 2024

The body felt okay today. About 3 p.m. I hit the Harbor Beach for a 15 minute healthy embrace of cool salt water. Fins...I did some easy kicking on my back--my idea is to strengthen it and maybe improve the area.

The water was a comfortable 62 degrees. I have given up on my full suit, the 2mm suit. I'm too fat or it shrunk. I think both.

My wife bought me a 2mm jacket a few years back. I wore that and a swim suit. Oh, now I wear my beautiful yellow neoprene hood. It really makes a difference tolerating cold.

I'll add a few photos.

There were about 8 surfers this afternoon. The waves were slow, 2 feet, 10-15 second intervals. A low tide. One surfer was getting decent left hand rides from the south rock jetty and heading to north. 

Walking in one foot of water I did see a stingray idling by about 5 feet from me. They don't bother you.

Neck is good. Thanks, Dr. Moazzaz.

Lumbar surgery in my future if I can build up the courage to face the 1 week post-op torture pain, then followed by 2-3 months of painful healing and rehab. I don't know...

Our water here is great for an average person like myself. Gentle enough to relax in. I read the interrnet news comments and so many people slam California. I hope they stay away. We live a good life here a ten minute drive to the water.

Pain meds afterward along with muscle relaxant, but that's pretty typical for my condition.

Advice to young, wild adults: Don't rodeo. The real pain comes in your 50's.

I am not embarrassed by my photos. I figured the less-than-good looking guy that I am may prompt others to think about trying to re-join life's activities.

Merry Christmas.

And as always:

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

A Second Brief Splash & Kick at the Harbor Late This Afternoon

I felt good today. Did my little neck surgery isometric exercises; stretched the hamstrings & low back a skosh. I thought I'd add this selfie taken after the chilly swim.

I have one eye that doesn't follow nerve commands, the right one. The right corner of my mouth/lips don't either. Bell's Palsy, permanent version. Oh well, this wrinkly face isn't entering any beauty contests.

The 60-degree water was at an extreme low tide and just turning about as I got in. Beautiful, crisp water that does a brain good. My wetsuit, a 2 mm, is too small. Do those things shrink or am I getting fatter?

It's so tight on my chest that I had difficulty breathing. I'm giving up on it. I hate trying to buy a new wetsuit. They're all made for skinny humans, really skinny.

At home tonight my low back is hurting from kicking with fins. Rehab is a slow process when one is old. 

I love cold salt water! 

Making progress, folks.

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