After 67 days of social distancing, physical distancing, bad weather, no pools and frigid open water it was time. Time to jump back in…yes…back into the water-yikes!
My friend Sonja was heading to Littleton, MA to swim with some friends so I decided to join in. It was a 40 minute drive from Boston that I faced with some trepidation as there was some concern about water temp and if I would actually be able to swim after such a long hiatus.
It was a tranquil scene at Long Lake as we gathered early at 7:00am. The group all wore wetsuits. Intentionally, I left my wetsuit at home so I was skins. I heard the water was 64 degrees so I thought it would be doable.
The water felt a touch cool in the morning air but was a pretty easy wade into the water to waist level. Ok, the first concern was alleviated the water temp would be fine-phew. Next would I actually be able to swim? I submerged and shoved off the bottom and started to swim. One arm and then the next and repeat. It felt really weird and awkward like my arms weren’t in-synch. They probably weren’t.
We swam 2400 yards in a very slow 40 minutes with some breaks a long the way. It was harder than expected physically and mentally too. I was back(ish)!
Since then I have swum twice at Ben’s Bayou aka Pam’s Pond aka Lake Cochituate shoving off from Ben’s dock.
Has the swimming become easier and less awkward? Maybe.
It is going to a long road back but we will be back!*
Open water season has officially started in New England. Pool swimming is phase 2 or 3 of the pandemic reopening process. That too will be interesting. What is a flip turn?
Swimming is important to me however seeing all my swimming friends again has been the best part~it more than just the swimming.
*confirms that I made the right decision to postpone Catalina until 2021
Goggle Reflections 