Yesterday was the day for the first open water swim of the season, well for me at least.
I went up to the lake near Lincoln that I trained in last year and I have to admit to being a bit nervous. It didn’t help that I felt a little bit rough from the night before. I’d only had two cans while watching tv at home, but woke up as if I’d had a skinful, so I was a bit slower getting ready than I should have been and a bit more delicate than I would have liked.
When I got to the lake it was good to see it busy and full of early season swimmers – probably about 50-60 were there. But I wasn’t sure. I mean last year was all about swimming for me, would I be able to maintain the enthusiasm? Especially after achieving my goal. This year was going to be for “pleasure”, would it be?
The water was a cool 14 degrees so, as it was my first swim, I set off in my wetsuit. And I hated it…
It wasn’t fun at all. It was cold and hard work and lonely. You may chat to people as you’re getting in (and they are a friendly bunch), but it’s pretty hard to chat when you’re actually swimming – it’s just you and the water then. I did half a mile (one lap) and thought, “that’s it then. Last year was about the challenge – but it turns out that swimming isn’t really for me.”
I was trying to decide whether I should give it one more lap, or just call it quits, when a couple of lads came to the edge without wetsuits. “Sod it”, I thought, I’ll give it a lap without the suit – I mean it’s not that cold, so I did.
It felt wonderful. Bracing (but not cold), light and natural and actually fun.
So I’m hooked again, but I won’t be bothering with the wetsuit again.
1000kmstowindermere 
Good news. Glad you’ve got the passion back. The challenge I suppose is knowing how big a challenge it is doing Windermere a second time. Go for it!
Sounds great! Wish I was a non-wetsuit venue round here to swim at – I find them so very restrictive and am thinking of getting a sleeveless one instead. It’s good that you’re getting back into it. Well done for having the nerve to shake off the suit 🙂
You’re a lot tougher than I am – I’ll be wearing my wetsuit for a few more weeks, I’m sure. The water has to get into the mid-70s at least (23c or warmer, please!).
I think that it’s important that everyone feels comfortable in the water and finds the point at which they are able to relax, wetsuit or not. It’s certainly not for me to call you a wimp.
(wimp)
🙂
HA! I’m the first to admit to my wussiness in the cold. How I survive New England winters, I’m not sure…
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