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Training News
May 2008 |
May 6, 2008:
Acclimization
I never thought I would say this but...60 degree water feels like a bath tub. Swimming throughout the winter has enabled my body to keep warmer core temp in chilly conditions. This past Saturday, Chris Roberts and I set out on a 4 mile Pier to Pier swim in Newport Beach.
Diving through the waves and eventually getting out past the break, I had a biggest smile on my face because warmer, cleaner, crisper waters had replaced the Icy cold that has infected Southern California for the past 6 months. A painful 45 minutes of body numbing, lung crushing, heart quaking acclimization process during the winter has paid off!
My happy thoughts were abruptly dissipated when Scott yelled out "Dave! Watch out for the huge jelly fish! They're everywhere!"
Brian DeFrancesco and Scott Alexander accompanied Chris and I on the Saturday afternoon journey through Newport's pristine, turqouise, tropical waters. My Ohio roommates have pledged their undying loyalty to protect me from the Great Whites. There have been conversations regarding a mounted harpoon gun on Brian's 12 foot kayak or Scott paddle boarding with a sawed off shotgun strapped to his shoulder; regardless, I appreciate the extra set of eyes.
The wind whipped through both Balboa and Newport Piers on Saturday, howling around 25 knots. This caused the sea to stir and the surface chop to build. I was sucking buckets of salt water by mile 2 and had inhaled enough sodium to give just about anyone heart disease. Finishing strong, as the fisherman and surfers gazed, the crew and I surfed (or body surfed) the waves to shore.
As Ocean temperatures rise, so does the volume of training. Open Water Swimming season has begun.
May 18, 2008:
Far From Lonely
Yesterday marked a milestone in training for Catalina. Chris and I, along with Emily Evans (a wicked fast swimmer from San Fran), were guided by Brian and Scott through 7 miles of gorgeous So Cal coastline. The pack started at the Newport Pier and headed south to the infamous WEDGE. The Wedge is a gnarly wave the bounces off a jetty and combines with another break to peak 4-6 times the normal face height. In a nut shell, when the moons are aligned, the Wedge produces some of the most ridiculous waves on the west coast. Getting back to the swim, we cruised past our 1.5 mile marker and joined up with Emily and her paddler. The crew then continued south and were joined by even more swimmers. This time though, these swimmers were not human, but pods of seals and dolphins. Finding a great pace, I continued to stay focused until I was abruptly passed by an unidentified aquatic animal. I thought to myself, "whatever that was, it was big, it was fast, and it brushed up against me." As I pick my head up I hear Brian and Scott go "WHOA!"
"WHAT! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!" I screamed
"Just a dolphin".......relief.
Hitting the half way point, everyone was having fun and feeling great. Things took a bit of a turn when we began swimming head on into the current. Emily I guess decided to turn on the after burners, I tried to follow suit, but failed miserably and she broke off to shore a short time later. Chris and I were left to grind out the last 2 miles and I'm not gonna lie, the arms were a bit heavy the last 30 minutes. For the last mile, Brian and I steamed ahead while Scott and Chris held a strong pace a few hundred yards back. Brian explained to me that toward the end, a seal popped up next to him, barked at him (just to say hello), and continued along. At the same time Scott observed a seal drafting off the toes of Chris, doing laps around his legs. Just when you think you're alone, the sea comes alive.
The sun was brutal yesterday, but heating up the water substantially, I heard reports of 65 degrees. However the unforgiving UV rays tore up my back, neck and face. Needless to say the Aloe Vera is flowing nicely today.
On the drive home, Scott summed up the morning... "When you swim, you can't see anything, you can't hear anything, your touch is gone, you can taste- but it's just gross salty fish water." we laughed, I smiled.
Positive Vibes,
Dave
Pictures from the swim are below (click to enlarge)
May 31, 2008:
Wake Up Call
Last posting I was floating on cloud-9. Our first real swim of the season and we dominated it! Smiles were big, confidence was high...life was good.
The roommates and I took the next weekend and headed north to climb Half Dome, an icon hike in the Yosemite Valley. 4 and 1/2 hours later we summited the mountain and I was overwhelmed with a "top of the world" tingling sensation. Standing at the peak with an insane 360 degree view of God's greatest work I was humbled. The first 4 hours of the hike were an aggressive uphill through pounding waterfalls and heart slamming switchbacks. The closer we came to the end, the harder my breathing became; I could even feel my heart beat in my teeth. Then came the last 1/2 mile of crazy cable climbing up the face of the summit. With the adrenaline fully engaged, I practically crawled to the top.
Accomplishment was at an all time high. And plans for a 10 mile swim from Corona Del Mar to Huntington Beach Pier were set.
May 31.- 2 1/2 months until the swim
Picture this- sunny skies, 70 degree water, flat, clean water.....got it? okay, take the exact opposite of that.
Chris and I were once again joined by Brian and Scott. In addition Dr. Jack Hewitt, my friend and Chiropractor had taken the offer grabbed a kayak to see what ocean swimming was all about. 830am- entering the water at CDM, I looked at Chris and we both cringed at the high 50s water temp. The south swell and wind combination caused choppy waters. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse, the red tide was out. For all who do not know the red tide, it's basically dead, bacteria infested plankton. These small little marine creatures die and thus cause the water to become cloudy and dangerous. Needless to say, today was not all fun and games. A mile into it, I was ready to get out- freezing cold, stomach problems and mentally torn. I put my head down and kept swimming against the massive chop, ignoring the first signs of hypothermia. 2 miles in..."I have no fingers, I can't feel my toes" The cold water was already affecting my body, and mind. 4 miles...close to delirious, laughing to myself I decided to make light of the poor conditions and fake out Brian. We stop for food and I swim over to his kayak. With a pale face and purple lips I fake dry heaved right onto his feet and he gave me the most horrible look.. This carried me for another 20 minutes, as we decided to call it a day at 5 miles.
Today I learned 2 great lessons. A.) I need to gain about 15 more pounds and B.) The Pacific Ocean does not care that August 21st is my day.
Down...But Far From Out in Southern Cal,
Dave
Pictures from the swim are below (click to enlarge)
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbqkpr10KaM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Gf73fwBWU
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