Sept 24 Swam the Pier Today

     I went to the Pier early afternoon to look and maybe swim.  Thankfully, I was given a break from severe pain today and got into an incredibly beautiful ocean on an amazing day.  Water temp was warm, approx 70, I'd say.  Air temp was 76.  Blue sky, no crowds, same old boring perfection.  What a day!
     The water was flat, no current, visibility maybe 5 feet.  Great swimming conditions but just very small waves for the surfers.  Actually, the one-foot waves were good for beginning surfers, bad surfers (like me), the aged surfers, and single-digit surfers (aged 0-9).
     It took me 33 minutes to get around the pier.  Since it has been 3 weeks since my skin has felt salt, my stroke was rough.  I didn't want to take pictures, so I didn't.  And that's all I have to say about that.
     On my walk to and from the beach parking lot to the water, I saw: one young woman apparently soliciting money from a family.  I saw two apparently homeless men walking around the pier area with their belongings trailing behind, one very suspicious van where I would bet money that one could purchase some variety of controlled substances, at least one dozen punky, snot-nosed teenagers with skateboards annoying humanity merely by their tattooed, smoky existence.
     Oh, I forgot.  A special appearance was made by the police helicopter that went round and round in circles at about 250 feet, with a voice repeatedly saying things like "Come out of the covered area," come out in the open from the area below." I watched for ten minutes but it kept going. As I drove away close to that area a homeless guy came running in a low crouch up one block and across a street.  My hunch is that this green, bearded, frayed runner was the person sought by the helo above.  "Why?" you ask.  Because when is the last time you saw a homeless guy RUN?  Case solved; suspect eluded capture.  Life went on in Oceanside.


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

Choppy Water Tuesday. No Go.

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

Yesterday (Tuesday) I dragged my sorry, tired butt down to the beach with the intention of swimming the Pier.  I failed.  I didn't get in.  No energy, back hurting.  The day was very nice but the water had a 1-2 foot chop to it, I'd estimate.  Just about 8 surfers on the north side. About 6 people playing on the south side.  The 2 footer waves were just dumping in right at the beginning of the sand.  Kinda' strange.

There would also be a set breaking every several minutes out 25 yards or so (very close also)--but not surfable.  Where can I buy some inner life force?

Sept 2, 2013 Oceanside Swim Club Labor Day Pier Swim Done!

     We did the swim this morning and it was fun.  The swim was supposed to go off at 8:30 AM but it was delayed by heavy fog.  We went out at about 10:15 AM.  It was still foggy farther out; we couldn't see the big, orange buoys where you turn.  That was a problem for time and direction.  I felt like I would knock off a few minutes from my last time but I was actually about a half-minute faster at 37:12.  The water had a one-foot chop all over.  The water was a bit rough getting out but I don't think it was an issue for most participants.  The back and forth swimming trying to find the buoys was a pain for both buoys.  Also, on the swim in, the young lifeguards sitting on the surfboards as guides were too far north; this added distance to the swim and the run to the finish on the sand was longer.
     The water was chilly but nothing excessive.  I didn't want to bring my camera down to the sand so unfortunately no pictures.  A lovely, nice crowd, a demanding swim, and a new experience.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/03/tp-once-around-the-pier/

http://oceansideswimclub.com/

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

Oceanside Labor Day Pier Swim Tomorrow

I had to take yesterday off and I think also today due to some serious back pain.  I did get a little bit of a swim streak going there which was good stuff.  However, the last 4 nights were bad, and I've been taking lots of pills, wearing ice packs, TENS unit, and my daily back support.  And all that crap still doesn't work.  With 2 days off I should be ready for a go tomorrow morning.  I need a calm surf zone tomorrow.


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

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."