Wet, Warm, Water in Oceanside, CA Today

     I had the thought to skip today at the beach because I was awake at 2:30 A.M. with my back hurting.  I had gone four days without medicine.  When I went to bed again and woke up about 9A.M. I was doing much better.

     I drove to the beach early afternoon and the water was warmer than yesterday--about 65 degrees.  Visibility was better at about 8 feet.  Really great water.  I just went ahead and swam out--I felt so good.  I swam the crawl for 15 minutes and had a fresh, enjoyable dip.  No clouds in the sky; the air temp was 77-78 degrees, and the beachgoers were happy. 

     I'm hurting tonight; my ice packs are on.  I have a few important things to do tomorrow, so I don't know whether I'll get there tomorrow.


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

A swim at the beach--Oceanside, of course

     "It's always darkest before the dawn," dates back to 1650 and is attributed to English historian Thomas Fuller.

     I am feeling more optimistic that I may be experiencing the beginnings of a new dawn.  I got into the water today...four consecutive days.  'Easy does it' is what I'm thinking when I'm there.  I really felt a noticeable increase in my comfort level, buoyancy, and elementary technique. 

     Today the water was about 65 degrees under a big blue sky.  After stretching on the sand I got in and relaxed in the water.  Visibility about four feet, no rip current like the last few days.  Also no big outside wave to traverse outward.  I think I goofed around inside for a good twenty minutes.  After that I swam out past the surf into a one-foot chop.  It was so nice.  I swam north for a hundred and fifty yards, took a break, and noted the mild current south to north.  I swam back south and started to feel a couple of things: my left low back twinge, my anterior thighs fatigued, and a twinge in my right shoulder.

     I stopped a few times and had to exert myself a bit.  Too early for that, I think.  But at least I got in a short swim outside and held together alright.  I am quite happy with it!



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

Three days in a row! I'm getting a tan.

     I parked near Pappy's and walked down to Surfrider again today.  Just like yesterday--the beach conditions, that is. 

     I felt better in the water.  Taking it easy.  Just remembering how one swims in the ocean--how one swims under the waves as they wash over--how one kicks and works the arm reach & pull.

     Same moderate rip current to the north.  Less people there (Monday) to clog things up.  I didn't dare go out to the outside break yet.  With fins--yes; without fins--no.

     Walking up the hill to my car I started reminiscing about that ocean water in Hawaii.  I sure missed out on a lot.  I was preparing to begin a Navy SCUBA school at Pearl Harbor way back when and I got shipped back due to two lumbar fractures (rodeo bucking horse).  But my good buddies stayed and I can only imagine the beautiful and exciting dives they had there.  What a cool place. 

     I'll plan for a dip tomorrow.


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

Wow! I just returned from the beach.

     I feel good.  I broke through the saline ceiling yesterday after 16 months, and today I returned again to that place...that place from which life itself originated-- the beach.

     Two consecutive days of Oceanside beach.  Thank God!  No, thank Poseidon--the Greek god of the sea.  I've gotten water religion.

     I'm walking better.  Longer strides.  Several blocks without pain.  And I owe it to the beach!  Could just be coincidence but I like attributing it to getting in salt water.

     Surfrider again.  Approximate water temp 63 degrees.  Moderate rip current south to north at Surfrider.  Short wave interval--about 10 seconds.  Strong, surging 2-4 foot waves closed out and pounding one after the other. 

     But beautiful water.  We are so lucky here to have this water.  I tried half-heartedly to swim out through the 3 sets of waves--the outside one being the problem.  The outside wave was strong and angry, and I am nowhere near prepared for it yet.


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

Brendan Drury Returns to the Water in Oceanside, CA

     I have to look up how long it has been since I've been swimming.  Gimme a sec.  Oh, boy, March 19, 2014 was my last brief swim in Oceanside.  Sixteen months off--I'm embarrassed. 

     Today, for some unknown reason, I felt alive, my pain was low, my body felt straighter, and I took a dip at the beach.  So what?  For me, this is a big plus.  I have been doing the stretching out and moderate strengthening exercises for the back recently and they are helping my back. 

     The beach I went to was the one at the bottom of Surfrider Way, just down from Pappy's.  The area was very crowded with cars and people enjoying a lovely 77 degree day.  The water was approximately 64-65 degrees, according to my internal thermometer.  Very warm.  I took a full fifteen minutes standing in the shallow water to adjust my mind, relax, and get comfortable with the water-which seemed chilly at first to me.

     Most of what I was thinking was 'don't pull anything in the back,' and the buoyancy of the water was terrific for me.  I eased into stretching, relaxing, swimming several short distances, and playing in the waves.  For a surf report, the waves were 1-3 feet, rough, and there was just a couple of seconds interval so the small waves pounded and pounded repeatedly.  Not surfable. 

     Three times I tried to swim out through the multiple sets of waves to get beyond the surf zone but I was not up to it.  In normal fitness, I would have been fine but not in my early recovery fitness.

     It felt so nice.  What a cool place this Oceanside beach is!  I will go tomorrow again-Sunday.  I feel hopeful. 


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