Missing a little between

So as my title says I missed a few things by being a bad Blogger...I did a support swim for an Anacapa Channel swimmer and it was incredible...I did a 2.4 mile race and a handful of so many fun things along my way to my adventure of the island. 

Tomorrow is my big day!!! I won't go into detail of all the between I missed getting me to my journey for tomorrow, but I will say how thankful I am to family and friends that supported me wholeheartedly in the last 10 months with all my craziness.

I have what I think will be a great crew for me with my Mom, Drew, Lynn, and Rob. I can't forgot Tracy though who will have my boys on the beach waiting for me.

Until I update again to give details of my adventure....

Alcatraz!!!

My Mom and the boys headed up North with me for the Shark Fest Alcatraz swim on July 28,2012.  It was a great trip to spend the weekend in San Francisco with my Mom and the boys.  Sight seeing and just relaxing.  It was perfect weather for SF too!  It was actually a little hot...

A large group of the Oak Streakers came out for the Alcatraz swim.  Such a great time! 

The swim was interesting.  The swimmers walked over to two ferry's that traveled over to the Island.  There over 900 swimmers.  Here is the interesting part of the swim over 900 swimmers!!  Yes over 900 swimmers!!  What a crazy start this was for me.  Once the ferry's made it to the Island we were shuffled off the boat in a single file line jumping off the boat and into the water...it was only about a 5 foot jump.  Once you jump you need to swim fast to get out of the line of fire for another swimmer to jump in.  It was like we were sheep being herded through the gates. 

So yes all 900+ had the same start time and were out there treading water.  I was worried about the treading water.  What worried me was the water temp.  I was worried of getting too cold before the race even started from just treading water and not moving.  Thankfully the water was at least 59 degrees...probably 60 in some parts so treading the water wasn't a worry I even needed to think about.

I couldn't even hear the race bell sound because there were so many people in the water around me.  I did see the front runners of Oak Street start swimming so I figured well it is time to go.  Off I went and what a miserable start.  I felt like a trout trying to swim upstream and I didn't make much progress for the first 5 minutes.  I had people grabbing onto my legs and pulling me back or their stroke would hit my legs down and cause so much drag on me with my body that for the first 5 minutes I was nearly in a doggy paddle over a nice freestyle crawl.  I finally broke to the left of the group to get out of the masses of swimmers and found a comfortable stroke and area to just enjoy my swim. 

Toward the end of the swim you swim through the jetty that leads into Aquatic Park.  There is a strong flood that comes in and can push you very far right if you aren't in the right positioning before the tide comes in.  There were a few swimmers that needed to be re-positioned in the water because they were pushed too far right.  I must admit I was worried of becoming one of those swimmers as well.  I am not a very fast swimmer so I thought my chances of getting stuck in the tide are pretty great.  With a smile on my face though I can say I wasn't pushed too far right.  The race was pretty easy for me.  Of course, I didn't take a way a medal like all the other Oak Streakers, but I had such a blast with my family there that weekend. 

My time was 49:45...I came in a lot better off than I expected.  Of course the Shark Fest site references the swim as 1.5 miles and I am pretty sure it wasn't 1.5...if it was...it was a short 1.5 miles. 

Amazing support swim and a Jelly...

(July 2012)

So after a challenging start to my last support swim with a kayak I got the opportunity to have an amazing support kayaker!

Even after my 6 mile success swim with only muscle pain in my shoulder vs joint pain I was still a little nervous on how I am going to hold up on my Anacapa swim. I know my conditions could be brutal with winds which in turn could make it a rough day for my shoulder. That being said Julie offered to go out and do a long support swim with me. What a great time! I went out looking for 8-10 miles and was going at it with one big loop of the Laguna coast down to the Newport coast area.

The water was amazing it was nice and warm at at least 65 degrees with some areas closer to 62. The 62 was a bit chilly after swimming in 65 degrees most of the time.  It was also clear. I did have some patches of kelp, but nothing too bad. There wasn't any sea life to really talk about it was a fairly uneventful swim, but sometimes I need those uneventful swims to appreciate the training. After about 1.5 miles into the swim I just kept thinking in my mind how much fun this is and was able to appreciate what I am trying to do and take in all the water. It was a lot more fun to be able to break away from the Oak Street laps for a change and know we have a point A destination and flipping to head back to our starting destination.

No we didn't have any wild life but we did have a Gordon! Gordon was out with a SUP and paddled over to say hello when he realized it was me swimming with Julie! What a great surprise to see a friendly face to life my spirits.

We only made it was far as Emerald Bay point and Julie thought the boat traffic was picking up to a point of her not feeling comfortable keeping me 100% safe. The crazy thing is as an open water swimmer I have a larger fear of boats than the wildlife. I opted to follow my supports advice and turn back and finish off with a lap or two at Oak Street once we got back.

While I do love running through the eel grass with it hitting my swim cap I had a startling and painful surprise as I went through some almost at my ending point. I feel like it came out of no where and was hidden in the dead eel grass.  I was bombarded with a jellyfish.  I felt the sting and instant burn.  I screamed a pretty loud and high pitched scream jumping back in the water.  It felt as though the jelly was still stuck on my face.  There were about 4 guys behind us on boards and they wondered had happened...so was Julie.  She said the way I screamed she thought I must have seen a shark.  I informed them I was stung by a jelly and then quickly peaked back in water to see what it looked like.  It was just like the two I had seen previously at La Jolla and on my 6 miles Semana swim.  So it finally got me! 

We were right at Oak just a little further past the surf line than we usually are and Julie asked if I wanted to go in now.  I wanted to keep swimming though.  I finished off my swim to the rocks at Cress Street and then swam back to Oak Street.  I did call it day after that instead of doing a lap of Oak to the buoy at Main Beach.  Although I will say it was easy to finish off my swim in that moment because the sting burned so badly that the cool water temperature made my face feel so much better.  When I had it out of the water I could feel the sting worse. 

It was an eventful end to what I determined successful swim even if I didn't get 10 miles in and only had just under 8 miles.  I felt strong and when I got out I had no pain in my shoulder joint!  It was also one of the best meals at Wahoo's I had ever had...amazing how good food tastes after swimming for a little more than 4 hours. 

Semana Nautica - 6 Miles at Goleta Beach (7/8/12)

I don't generally care for races because of my speed, however, I did decide for a great training swim I would sign up for the Semana Nautica race in Santa Barbara.  The race starts West of the Goleta Pier and swims East up the coast to Arroyo Burro Beach.

The 2012 race had the largest number of registered participants at 33!  13 of the 33 were females!!  Of the registered swimmers 8 were Oak Streakers with 2 additional Streakers for support of a couple of the swimmers.  It was awesome to be out there with a small pod of my swimmer friends.

Left to Right: Lynn, Patsee, Tanya, Me, Lisa aka Nemo, Brian aka Orca, Vanessa, Carol, Peter, Kelley

The day started out drizzly, foggy, and a bit chilly.  There was the thought of possibly delaying the start of the race due to fog. Check in started at 7:30 am with an anticipated start time of 9 am.  The race director did a quick little safety speech about 8:45 am. 

I arrived with my Mom and the boys at 7:30. We watched everyone else filter into the parking lot of Goleta Beach removing their kayaks and SUP boards for their support.

Mommy and Me

Matthew, Me, and Samuel

I anxiously waited for my support kayaker to arrive.  I hadn't met my kayaker at this point other than through e-mails and I knew I was looking for a pink kayak.  I think it was about 8:15 when I found her.  We met face and face and I briefed her on my style of swimming.  I kindly let her know she was in it for the long haul because I am a slower swimmer and warned her I do pull right quite often when I swim.  Up until this race I hadn't really swam next to a kayaker for any means of solo support for myself.  I knew it would be interesting and a bit of a learning curve for me, but that was an understatement!!

Paige and Me

I started to prep myself for the race and I realized I was quickly going from being chilly with the outside weather to feeling warmed up again.  It wasn't because the weather was getting any nicer (as you can tell from the pictures I posted above), but because I was starting to get anxious for the race to begin and it was exciting me creating internal warmth to move throughout my entire body.  It felt good and oddly enough for the first time prior to starting the race I didn't have the butterfly nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. 

This was going to be a big day for me.  Not necessarily because I was swimming 6 miles.  I have swam 6 miles before and a couple months ago when I first accomplished that distance is when it was a big moment for me.  This was much more a big day for me all directly related to my left shoulder.  This was going to be the longest swim I had accomplished with my shoulder pain for about a month.  I was nervous and anxious to see how my shoulder would hold up.  I really didn't want to have to call my own swim from pain out of my shoulder.  In preparation of pain in my shoulder I had used an ibuprofen creme on the area causing me pain while I swim and also took a couple ibuprofen prior to my swim.  I gave them enough time to move throughout my system.  These two things coupled with me paying more attention to the placement of my arm with my left stroke is what I was hoping would pull me through this swim. 

It was shortly after 9 am when the race director started the race.  All the kayaker and SUP supporters were already out in the water and off went us swimmers into 60.3 degree water for a 6 mile stroll in the open water!  I felt happy and was really excited to have this training swim with a support kayaker.  While this was a race I looked at it more as my training with a kayaker. 

Of course almost right from the start I started to pull right with my swim.  Ugh!  I swear I think I could finish at least 10 minutes faster than I normally do if I could manage to swim in a straight line one of these days.  I spend a lot of time recorrecting my direction.  Sooo, the start of my race left much to be desired!!  I swam out to the edge of the pier and was far right.  I heard Scott Zorning yell out to me from the end of the pier and I realized he was telling me I was too far right.  I looked around and my kayaker was no where to be found.  I just put my head back down and continued to swim using the other kayakers as my place to site as I couldn't really see any swimmers from the surface of the water.  I also breathe right so I didn't have anything to sight from off the coast as it was on the left of me.  I swam for about 5 more minutes and my kayaker was still no where to be found.  I started to wonder if she ever got in the water.  The other swimmers weren't significantly ahead of me at this point so I just swam on.  Well...nearly 30 minutes into the race and I was alone in water I had never swam in, it was a little chilly, NO kayaker, and I started to question in my mind if this swim is really worth doing.  I was contemplating if I should swim to shore and walk my way down the beach to the finish line or keep swimming.  I stopped and started to wave my hands back and forth as I waded the water hoping one of the other supporters would see a random swimmer behind them and find my kayaker. 

The entire time I just kept thinking in my head what in the world is she doing?  Does she not realize she doesn't have a swimmer next to her?  I wear a polka dot bikini for goodness sakes and a bright yellow swim cap how can she mistake another swimmer for me?  Did she not get in the water?  Does she just not know what the heck is expected of her?  Why did I pay for a kayaker who has left me alone?  Was she bored and decided to just take off with the other swimmers than stay next to her slow one?  I had a number of other things in my mind during the moments alone, but I will keep those detailed thoughts to myself...

Well about 35 minutes in I had decided it was time for me to turn back to shore.  The water was cold and a little murky.  I had no feeds on me to sustain my energy for 6 miles.  I deemed this would be far too risky of a swim for me to complete.  Then I heard clicking of dolphins.  I never saw them, but I heard the clicking.  The chatter of the dolphins was enough for me to stop and wave again to give it another chance for someone to see me.  I didn't want to give up and call it a day.  I needed to see how my left shoulder was going to hold up!  Shortly after I heard the dolphins I realized it looked like a paddler was starting to head my direction.  Low and behold after about 40 minutes Paige and I reunited!!  Her first words "I was looking for you".  My first words "Well I have been right here".  We pretty much left it at that and I didn't really have much else to say to Paige at that moment that would have been constructive.   She did tell me I had dolphins only a couple feet from me.  I told her I heard them, but I didn't see them.  Off we went to swim together. 

As I mentioned before I hadn't swam with the support of a kayaker before.  This was something I had taken for granted in all my swimming.  I didn't really think it would be something that would take much practice and skill to do.  However, to a degree I was quite wrong.  I think I was wrong for myself because I am a swimmer who pulls right.  Paige had stopped her kayak a little ahead of me at a point.  I don't believe she stopped directly in front of me, but she hadn't stopped too far right from me.  As I was in my rhythm of swimming I slammed into the kayak full force with my momentum and I briefly had a flashback of a car accident I had about a month prior.  My entire body crunched up and caused an instant leg cramp in the back of my thigh.  At this point I just thought "wow this is clearly not my day".  I stopped briefly to try and work out the cramp.  I took my first feed at that point when I was about 1 hour and 30 minutes into the swim.  I was hoping the fluids would help my cramp and it did!  Yay!  I was on my way again. 

After the crash I had much more respect for the support of the kayaker.  Maybe respect isn't entirely the right word, but I definitely was much more aware of her in the water.  I didn't look at her being the one looking out for me and staying out of my way, but more so I watched for her and made sure I kept a bit of distance between us.  I think she also paid more attention to my swimming and where I was.  Neither one of us wanted me to crash into her again.  She offered me the best advice anyone probably could have given me as my support paddler.  Since I pull right she told me she is going to direct me with her kayak and I need to swim in the direction the front of her kayak is pointing.  She told me I was too far right and I am going to have to swim more than I should by not keeping a straighter line. 

Beautiful view of the cliffs lining the shore

Me swimming closer to shore finally



Paige really ended up being a great support for me.  She took some cool pictures for me while I was swimming with my camera and she offered me words of encouragement.  I really ended up enjoying my time with her during the race.  I just had to get past the negative start.  

While out I didn't see too much wildlife because the water wasn't completely clear, but I did swim over a beautiful jellyfish.  It was just like the jellyfish I swam over at La Jolla Cove.  Jellyfish are interesting to me.  I feel like the ocean stands still when I see one in the water.  It is like all my surroundings go silent and I only see the jelly gracefully move through the water.  This jelly was about 3/4 the size of my leg with its top and tentacles combined.  I wanted so badly to stop and take a picture of it with my camera, but I was too worried my hands were too cold from the water temperature that I would drop my camera and lose it in the water forever.  I just lifted my head and told Paige about its beauty.  There were a number of salps I swam through as well.  

About 2-2.5 miles left in the swim I stopped for another feed and right when I stopped a few dolphins came swimming up to us.  Oh my goodness it is moments like these on why I swim in the water.  They were full of energy.  At one point they were as close as 4 or 5 feet from me...jumping in and out of the water.  As silly as this is even though I was in a "race" I swam backward a little bit so I could play with them.  I looked under water for them as they dove under, but like I already mentioned earlier the water wasn't clear...not even clear enough for me to have visibility of the dolphins even 4 feet from me.  It is amazing how much of a motivator the dolphins are to me and probably a number of other open water swimmers.  I feel like I really needed to see those dolphins to really keep in a positive mind frame.  Part of me wonders if those dolphins knew I wanted some encouragement.  No one else that I know of saw or even heard the dolphins.  I would like to think (in my crazy mind) they were there just for Paige and I to bond over. 

Back of my head and my new friend

So we were off after my feed and everything progressed well for me.  I wasn't really paying much attention to my time other than when I needed another feed. (Paige didn't have a watch on), but I did feel like I was being pushed quite a bit (that's always a nice feeling). 

All of a sudden before I knew it she told me we were almost at the finish line.  I stopped and asked her if she was sure because there is no way I had been swimming long enough to cover nearly 6 miles.  She pointed out the flags that I was to swim up through and she was right!  I was so proud of myself.  My shoulder had held up well for me with very little discomfort and I didn't give up even though I had a tough start of the swim.  I was so stoked!  I knew at this point I was the 2nd to last person in the water, but I didn't care I was so proud of myself.  Of course, I don't really ever understand how it feels like once you see the finish line it sometimes feels like it takes you forever to get there.  I took one more feed to get me through my last 20 minutes of swimming around the buoy and up on the beach. 

Finishing with a huge smile! (my Mommy is to the left cheering me on as always)

I was happy overall with the entire experience.  I learned a lot from this swim and I regained some confidence in my left shoulder for my upcoming swim of 12.4 miles.  I finished with 3 hours 20 minutes 43 seconds!  That was a good 10 minutes better than I had expected with even the best conditions.  Granted I do think I could have taken at least 5-10 minutes off my time had my start been more successful, but in the end I am stoked with the time I had and I kept swimming!  I also got this really cool ceramic mug with whales on it to commemorate my accomplishment.  I can't wait for next year!!

Still smiling with my mug of accomplishment

Samuel, Me, Mommy, and Matthew post swim!

Let's Play Catch Up...

It's been a bit of time since I have last posted.  I have been swimming, but much of my time has been limited due to issues with my left shoulder.  Since I have last posted I did do a few things along with keep up with my regular weekly swims.  My long swims have had a bit of a damper on them as I have been struggling to make it past 3.5 to 4 miles the last few weeks (maybe even month).  It has definitely been difficult for me to get over. 

I have made a couple of attempts so far to hit 7.5 to 8 miles non-stop, both fell short.  My first attempt stopped at 6 miles and my second only made it to about 4.5 miles. 

Something I don't think I have talked about yet...I am being documented by two independent film makers for my Anacapa Channel swim.  I was being filmed on one of the days I attempted 7.5 and I only made it 4.5 miles that day.  That was a tough pill to swallow.  

Since those failed attempts I have been giving my shoulder a lot of rest...or trying to at least.  I tried for a few other long training swims with little success and my distances seemed to be getting even shorter.  I had been feeling blah about my swimming and defeated. 

I did go have my stroke analyzed at Think Physical Therapy.  It was worth it for me to do this.  I saw in an under water video what I potentially had been doing wrong on my left stroke that is causing me my pain.  I have been now more aware of how narrow my stroke is and I am improving. 

A few fun swims I did was the La Jolla Cove Pier to Cove swim.  Although I was disqualified I had a blast.  I was DQ'd because I started early.  There was a guy and his wife who were looking for another swimmer or two to start early as he was a disabled swimmer.  Jeremy had polio when he was younger and it affected his right side.  His disability coupled with his wife only being in the ocean a couple of times (they are from Arizona) they felt more comfortable to have someone else swimming with them.  I volunteered because I wasn't doing the swim for a time...I was there for fun!  

The waves were rough getting out that day.  It took me 14 minutes to get to the edge of the pier and along the way of being pummeled by waves I lost Jeremy and Allison.  I stopped and asked one of the kayakers for the swim if they saw anyone else heading out.  He didn't and I waited a couple more minutes with no sign. So off I went solo with no kayaker or swimmer to go with me.  It was okay though.  I figured that at some point I would have others pass me up and then I wouldn't be solo anymore.  That never happened.  I did see at least a dozen sting rays and saw the most beautiful jellyfish I had ever seen.  Of course that freaked me at first.  I was afraid of being stung so I swam abruptly right to avoid it not knowing if there were more to come.  It was huge and a beautiful purplish brown color.  I stopped a few other times to look back, but I never saw the two swimmers I started out with.  Bummer!  I finished feeling really great and no shoulder pain.  In fact for the first time when I got out I was the first one to finish!  That felt GREAT!  ha, ha.  Of course it only lasted a few seconds because I had to tell the race directors I started about 30 minutes early.  It was then I was DQ'd...boo, but again its okay I had a great day.  Met new friends and spent great time with old friends.  Jeremy and his wife made it out and finished the swim strong.  I got to see the two of them finish side by side.  I was really happy to see them finish so happy together. 

The weekend after La Jolla I did a road trip with Lynn up to Arroyo Grande to swim at Avila Beach with Rob's group.  It was a great time.  I had the privilege of meeting a few new friends and spent some fun time in the car with Lynn.  We had hoped for cooler water and it was up to 59 degrees, which was a lot warmer than we thought it would be.  Lynn and I were hopping for 54-55 degrees.  I got about 1.5 miles in. 

So that for the most part gets me caught up to date...

Double the cracks...double the swims

Today started with and ended with Shaw's Cove in Laguna! What a way to welcome June!!

Another beautiful day at 6 am with warm and clear waters.  What was special about today? Well today I decided not everything is about training and it was a day to remember why I am in the water vs. thinking.  With that said...what I mean is it was a fin day. I downsized my fins so I don't get as much of an aid, but definitely still an aid. I wanted to keep with the group this morning so I wore them because it is fun to keep up. Best part was it allowed me to shoot the crack this morning. Yay!! When I say 'the crack' this is the crack between the rocks at Seal Rock aka Ray's Crack. Oh my goodness what fun it was today. I went for it following Patsee's lead. I figured if Patsee was going do it I will take it as an unspoken dare and follow. So I did. It was awesome! I have done the crack a handful of other times but never like it was today. Don't get me wrong it was safe, but maybe felt like it wasn't the best idea mid way through, but by then there was NO turning back. I kicked and swam like I would never swim again. Getting out of the crack Steve asks me how it felt...what went through my mind was 'depends could you see the look of fear in my face as the waves were churning up around me? Because if you couldn't...it was great!' Although my response, and it was definitely honest, was 'put it this way that crack was tougher than the entire swim' everyone got a good giggle and there I was still catching my breathe. Haha.

It was super fun this morning!!

I double downed at Shaw's today and went back for more after work for a night swim. It was fantastic! I got there late from some of the swimmers. So I walked to a far corner of the south cove and just thought okay no turning back again just go for it and swim back in with the group. Had the water not been calm again I wouldn't have been able to safely get in where I did. I caught up to the group and swam but also just felt like we were playing for a while. We went to the Giggle Crack. At this crack the water sucks you in and then spits you out. Julie went fearlessly in at first as Patsee and I thought the tide might not be right...of course after she did it we couldn't help but do it. Again a lot like today I was being pulled in almost by a 'dare' from Patsee following her. Well I can see why it is the Giggle Crack. I laughed and screamed out woohoo's in and out. It was super fun!

We saw quite a few sting rays and a bat ray while in the water. Before I got in I did see a dolphin in the cove, but I do have to admit when I first saw the fin prior to getting in the water I waited to have assurance the fin was welcoming vs unwanted. Turns out it was a dolphin so I wasn't worried of being in.

After fun, food, conversation, and nothing but laughter along with some fulfillment talk we all jumped in once more for a night swim.

It was a great night with lifetime friends full of crack shoots!

Calm and Clear

What a great way to end the month of May with a morning swim bright and early with 13 other Oak Streakers!  The water was refreshing, warm, clear, and low tide!  You could nearly see the bottom.  (Funny comment about seeing to the bottom...Lisa asked me a few weeks ago what songs I sing in my head when I swim.  I gave her my range of artists I sing while swimming and told her one fall back when the water is clear is definitely Will Smith (Big Willie) "Miami"...replaying the lyric in my head of 'water so clear you can see to the bottom' whenever I can see such depth in the water.)  Today was a Big Willie day at moments.  

Kelp seems to be starting to die off, which is sad, but also nice to know it won't be in the way as much.  There were tons of schools of fish in areas.  The water was so calm most of the group swam the crack of Seal Rock...I just played around the reef watching the wildlife.  Of course this was because I was trailing behind a little and didn't want to shoot the crack without someone close to me.  Safety first...I opted to not chance getting scrapped by a wave pushing me into the rock.

Total trip of my morning swim was probably about 1.25 miles.  Short, but well worth the early morning wake up call.  Swimming back to shore about 75 yards from the shore I saw a baby ray just chillin' in the sand.  Reminds me to never forget about the string ray shuffle and to continue to embed the rhyme in Matthew and Samuel's heads...especially at Shaw's Cove.   

Shaw's Cove about 6:05 am on May 31, 2012

Back in the pool!

Well with nearly 3 weeks off I finally made it to a Newport Masters Swimming practice.  Coach Jim added a handful of swimmers since I last caught a workout. Of course I am still the slowest and I know virtually no other stroke,but my dependable freestyle. I did try his lap workout for a quick flutter of breast stroke with the arms and freestyle kick. That was interesting for me to say the least!

Great news even though travel for work, swim camp, and my passion for the ocean had kept me away from the pool my speed actually remained the same and in some 100's even improved by a whopping 2 seconds. I am still holding 1:40 to 1:42. I am so happy about this.

One mental note I should really work on my flip turns so I actually look like a swimmer since there are other teammates now. 

I did about 2900 yards tonight. About 30 min left and coach came over to me and offered some variation for me suggesting some laps with my gear. His comment was since you only have one gear do you want to use your gear to kick it up? (Hee hee I really do think that was funny and oh so true...I have one speed and it is slow,but it is everlasting) I played with my new FINIS paddles I got from swim camp and really liked them. I managed to keep them on my hands and they didn't kill my shoulders! With my gear on my 100's went from 1:40 to 1:28...still not as fast as some there tonight, but for me I felt like LIGHTENING!!!

It was a fun workout.

Day 2&3 Swim Camp

Okay so it's a little later than I would have liked to post and out of order with my random thought posted but here it is anyway...it goes without saying LOVED Jamie's swim camp. The weather was perfect and so was the group of swimmers who attended.

I was there with so many accomplished swimmers from fastest in their age group to multiple channel swimmers.  The best part of the camp I would have to say was getting to know these amazing swimmers. They were all so welcoming to everyone including me who is slowest in her age group and aspires to be a multiple channel swimmer.

The group there was training from anything between pier to pier swims to the Catalina Channel or the English Channel to the Sea of Cortez! Yes remarkably the Sea of Cortez...one of the wildlife to keep watch for on this swim is the giant squid!  They travel in groups which could pose a problem...I am excited to see updates of Paul's swim once it starts!!! Jamie himself is doing what is being called Tahoe 360...swimming the perimeter of Lake Tahoe nearly 70 miles non stop. As you can see I was in elite company for the sport of marathon swimming.

I got the most swimming in day 1, but averaged probably 4-5 miles a day. I felt great that my body held up really nicely for a 7.2 distance day 1 about 5 day 2 and maybe 4 day 3!

It was a no stress weekend with swimming at your will until your heart or body was content, whichever came first and great food!

Definitely a memorable weekend with new friends made! I am already signed up for next year to hopefully see all of the same faces and even more hearing about what fantastically crazy swims have been concocted since Jamie Patrick's Swim Camp 2.0!

Sand = LOVE

So at this point in my life at any point even after a fresh car wash I have sand in my car. I love it! It is a reminder to me every time I see it of all the adventures the ocean brings to me and I am living life!!

Day 1 Swim Camp Review

What a great day! I had a blast day 1!!

Morning session I swam 3.6 miles...followed up with a great food break and power nap leading to another 3.6 miles! 7.2 miles!!! The most miles in a day I had ever done. I felt great too.

Although fresh water swimming is a little harder than ocean swimming. The salt helps with your buoyancy so I felt like my legs kept sinking.  It was still great though!!  Granted not like swimming on Saturday with dolphins 2-3 feet from me...spraying with the splash of their blow holes almost hitting me, but it is a great day when you get to jump in a lake at any point to just swim.

I could get used to this!!!

Albino Sting Ray!!!

May 10, 2012:  Swam Brooks to Main Beach buoy today.  Switched it up with some Streakers for the shower at Brooks.  Although the entry was full of rocks and Howard got a pretty bad gash on his toe from one of the rocks.  He swam the entire lap trailing blood behind him...glad he didn't attract any specific wildlife this morning. 

Water was perfectly warm...full of kelp, low tide, 2-3 feet waves (if that), I had a challenge about .25 mile before the buoy and a .25 mile after the buoy after the turn.  The water seemed so turned up and choppy in that area, but the rest of the swim was nice and calm. 

Swimming back in I ran into a large group of kelp...right when I hit the kelp I looked down to see a beautiful albino sting ray.  It was about 18" diameter, yellow and white in color and I think even the eyes were a red tone (although it swam under me too fast to really know for sure), with the tail length and body it was probably about 3 feet long.  It definitely startled me because it was only about 3-4 feet deep from me and it seemed to pop up from no where.  Just like the sting rays I saw a few weeks back at Shaw's though it was so beautiful and peace to watch swim through the water. 

I can't say I am afraid of being in the water because once in I don't worry about anything.  However, as you are swimming and something swims up "out of no where" it is startling.  Anything in the ocean is so graceful with its movements...it comes out of no where. 

Today I loved driving to the gym after the swim not needing my heater on in my car!  Yay for warmer water.

3 Hours = 3 Laps

May 6, 2012:  It was the longest time I have been in the water so far with 3 hours of water time getting me three laps from Oak Street to Main Beach buoy in Laguna.  Although thankfully it was a pretty uneventful swim. 

Laps 1, 2, and 3...all easy in and out and consistent laps.  The water was a little cooler than the night before, but still felt nice.  Typical amount of kelp in the water.  The swells were rolling right at the edge of the kelp line leaving a very small lane to swim in between the kelp and swells.  A small lane is still a lane though. 

Fun things:  I saw a leopard shark!  I love the sound of the eel grass as my head barrels through it. 

What I learned:  Reapply sunscreen often...especially on my face.  Work more frequently on my bi-lateral breathing in the ocean so my right side doesn't get more color than my left again! 

Interesting things:  Picked up some tar on my hair line...however, no tar was on my swim cap.  I imagine it was from the kelp.  Two days later my mouth was no longer dry from the salt water...makes me wonder how long it will take to be normal as my swim times continue to increase.

A Full Cinco de Mayo

Given it was a historical Super Full Moon...the Oak Streakers couldn't pass up a night swim under the huge moon!  Patsee shared the article below with the group and with that a group of myself and nine other swimmers met on Cinco de Mayo for a swim at Shaw's Cove!
http://earthsky.org/tonight/is-biggest-and-closest-full-moon-on-may-5-2012-a-supermoon
This was my first night swim!  I had been in the water at day break when it is barely light, but the difference with a morning swim when it is still dark is you know the sun will be up before you know it.  Usually the sun at the times I had got in the water this last winter was up before we even hit the tip of the rocks at Shaw's Cove in Laguna.  (Side note:  the first time I did that...I really thought I was going to hyperventilate.  I had to find a way to calm myself down and regulate my breathing and heart rate or I wouldn't have made it.)
I feel like I was the slowest I ever was Saturday night to get ready for a swim.  I looked down at the water and thankfully the waves were very manageable.  I was worried about getting out in waves while it was dark.  I had no idea it was possible to feel all these emotions at once, but my body and  mind were full of excitement, slight fear, anxiousness, and calmness.  I did cheat and wear my fins.  I typically don't like to feel left behind at Shaw's and given this was my first night swim I really didn't want to be behind, so on went my fins.  We all had our blinkies on to guide off each other and glow sticks wrapped on our wrists or tied to our suits. (Pictures are compliments of Peter's FB)

Lynn, Tanya and myself having some fun

L to R: Marc, Me, Lynn, Mike, Tanya, Howard, Carol, Patsee, George, and Peter

The girls getting ready to dive in

By the time we made it to the tip of the rocks the moon had risen above the gazebo you see in the picture above.  It was incredible!  It was nearly dark and the water felt so good.  At least 61-62 degrees.  Parts felt like it could have been 65!  It was clear and high tide.  Someone told me a couple of weeks prior to this swim they came to terms with night swimming by telling themselves everything in the ocean at night is in the ocean during the day too.  I was comfortable looking at it from that perspective.  Once I was in the water all anxiousness, nerves, and fears went away.  I felt great since I hadn't been able to swim a couple days prior being in Texas.  I am going with it was my taper for a big swim. 

At certain spots of the swim we would stop and count off 1-10 making sure everyone was safe.  With every headcount we would also tread the water as we howled at the moon!  It was such an incredibly great time!!  I wish I could have posted a video Peter took on this blog with us all howling.  To hear us actually howling is really how you get the full affect of our night swim together.  10 wonderfully crazy swimmers howling at the moon and counting off to one another making sure everyone was safe. 

Once the sun was completely down and the moon was up it sparkled and bounced off the waters surface.  Not only was the moon bouncing off the water, but as you looked up to sight I could see all the blinkies shining off the water too!  As I drafted off Mike on our way back with every kick he had the bubbles his feet created were like bright and shiny gems.  They sparked through the water like diamonds.  The kelp had a brightness about it as we swam over it, sparkling in the dark water.  The spots on the kelp was fluorescent.  The ocean water took on an entirely new beauty for me tonight.

Of course we couldn't let Cinco de Mayo get away from us without some chips, salsa, and tequila!  At the end of the swim we celebrated with our full moon night swim with all of the above and then some.  Great FUN!

Just Breathe...Just Breathe

Breathing on land is so natural...nothing a person even has to think about...it just happens. Why can't that translate while swimming?

All swimmers have a comfortable side to breathe on. My comfy side is my right.  Tonight I did a lot of work breathing bi-lateral.  It had to have been 30 + minutes into the exercise before I felt like I wasn't a fish out of water on my left.  I still have a lot of progress to be made!!

On a bright note for my training today...I ended my session with 6 100's tonight. Here is the exciting part I completed the first three on 1:40 the last three were 1:43, 1:48, and 1:47 respectively. Not too bad since three weeks ago I was at a 2:15!!

I also told my coach I will sign up for my first ever swim meet in about a month...oh no what did I get myself into...that means flip turns....

Body Surfing in San Clemente -- 4/29/2012

I believe I felt like I body surfed the waves more so than actually swimming in the water.  It was a tough entrance and exit for me today.  I did it though!  I truly didn't think I was going to make it out, but after about 15 minutes or so I finally caught a break along with two others, Carol and Marc, with a break in the swells.   I had reached a point telling myself "well I guess it will be a play day for me vs. swim day" thinking I would never make it out.  It felt like I had 15 + waves coming in at once.  By the time the swells stopped I did finally feel like I was getting the grasp at timing the waves. 

I had to remind myself swimming in the open water has all kinds of aspects to conquer.  While I can get out and in with waves I can't by any means say I have conquered the waves.  Yesterday I might have made a small step toward my quest to conquer the wave breaks.  The ocean is such a powerful force I may never fully conquer the art of swimming through the breaks without exuding a good portion of my energy, but I know I will absolutely get better. 

Surf, kelp and Howard as my guardian again...

What a swim today! Howard was kind enough to make sure I got out safely at the start. I got tumbled a little and as I saw a surfer come right at me I said to Howard "Oh $£!+" I thought I was going to lose my goggles on that one. I wasn't sure what my miles would be this morning because I went at it thinking I will take it easy today and have my long swim Sunday.

I followed Howard the entire lap to the main beach buoy. There was a ton of kelp today. However unlike last weekend when I was cursing at it this weekend I took the high road road and said "thanks for the extra shoulder and upper body workout as I pulled through it".

The exit of my solo lap today...oh what fun?! Yes I yet again BA'd the shore with my bottoms coming down, however, I don't think anyone saw considering the waves white wash was powerful enough to throw me to the ocean floor. I came up a little out of sorts and then again heard Howard's guidance for me hollering from the shore. I couldn't make it exactly out, but I am pretty sure I heard now swim fast!!! As I turned to see him I think he was about ready to get back in and pull me in. I am lucky to have a group that includes Howard to look out for me and every other swimmer in the water. :-)

I opted out for another lap because today I felt like chatting with everyone instead of another lap. There is always tomorrow!

Look Ma! No fins!!

I got a perfect morning swim in today 6 am at Shaw's Cove.  Best part of this swim was I (for the most part) kept up with the group and I didn't even have fins on!!  This was an accomplishment for me considering I usually trail behind from everyone if I don't have fins.  It was an exciting day today and the water was AMAZING...today was the first day since at least November that I swam and thought to myself "that was a cold spot" vs. "ahhh, that was a warm spot".  The water felt at least 60-61 today...I hope this is the sign of change for the summer season coming. 

Lots of fish, jellies, seals, and some star fish visible on the reefs.  A pair of dolphins were out as well (but they came when we were already out).  Still fun to see them out there.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I had swim practice with Newport Beach Swimming Masters tonight and from the first push off from the wall I knew I didn't hydrate well enough today...cramps almost from start to finish. Ugh!! Lesson learned.

Day after 5...

My shoulders were sore throughout the day Saturday after 5 miles and I was tired.  I was feeling really happy with my accomplishment all day and still happy when I got to our swim at Shaw's Cove in Laguna on Sunday the 22nd.  I cheated on my swim today and wore fins.  My shoulders were still sore from the long swim yesterday so I opted to take it easy a little.  It was short and simple from Shaw's Cove through Crescent Bay around seal rock and back to Shaw's Cove.  It was about 1.5 miles or so, but it was a fun swim with some a turbulent sea.  I love swimming at Shaw's for the wildlife.  There are always a ton of star fish on the reefs, fish, seals, and occasionally other wildlife.  Today Carol and Lynn were stung by a jelly (bummer, but nothing serious) and Howard had a dolphin swim directly under him! 

My successful takeaway today was the swim loosened up my shoulders from the day before! 

5 Mile Success???

Saturday the 21st I was excited and set to swim 3 laps from Oak Street to Main Beach buoy in Laguna.  I felt determined, but I was a little bummed the weather wasn't as nice as I thought it would be. The water while it wasn't 60.8 per the Dana Point buoy it had still warmed a little from my recent swims.  It felt about 56-57 degrees.  The temp wasn't perfect, but it was comfortable.

Lap 1 - In the water at 7:20 out at 8:18...I was slower than I had hoped for.  I had some hurdles on my first lap and felt frustrated and defeated by the water in the 58 minutes I was in.  Very shortly after I got into the water I kept feeling the swells roll under me...not paying any attention to how on much they were pushing me back to shore until I felt a little white wash crash down on me.  Looking up I realized I was caught in a few swells coming in.  I tried to swim out again past the wave break, but kept getting pushed back to shore.  Before I knew it (much faster than what it took me to originally get out past the waves at the start) I was pushed back to shore from the waves.  I unfortunately "snaked" a wave from a surfer at one point.  He had to jump of his board when he realized he was going to run over me if he continued to ride the wave.  I felt really bad because I think it would have been a decent wave for him.  He was nice about it though and stopped to make sure I was okay.  I am sure he got a good laugh at watching me continue to get back out past the swells coming in.  Thankfully, I did make it back out past the wave break in one piece with everything in tact goggles, swim caps, and bathing suit.  What it did take from me was a lot of energy!  I was a bummed at my carelessness, but was happy to see I hadn't fallen too far behind the other girls.  I swam to the buoy and turned.  On the turn back I was feeling good.  I got over my frustration from the waves pushing me back to shore.  However, what I had to get past on my return of lap one was kelp.  Today's swim had an abundance of kelp.  I am sure it had a lot to do with the tides.  For some reason it seemed the kelp beds were barely past the wave breaks which made for a tight swimming lane for me to avoid the swells pushing me back to shore and the THICK beds of kelp.  I didn't succeed at avoiding the kelp.  I in fact was everything but graceful in my attempt to avoid it.  I was zig zagging every where trying to get a clear patch of water to swim through.  Eventually I lost the girls in my sight because the kelp slowed me too much.  Since Matthew and Samuel will be reading this blog one day I will avoid mentioning what I was saying as I was swimming back to my first feed.  I am avoiding it because if they said the words and phrases I did at the kelp on this swim they would be grounded from video games for a month.  It is safe to say "I hate kelp" summed it all up for me in three words on this swim. 

Lap 2 - In the water 8:23 out at 9:19.  Ahh....lap 2, thank goodness for lap 2.  It was so much nicer.  Much more at the pace I expected and I felt great.  56 min in the water.

Lap 3 - In the water 9:23 out at 9:45.  The full group of The Oak Streakers were in the water at this time. They were actually getting out past the waves as I was body surfing them back in for my second feed.  It is nice to see company out there!  Total water time only 22 minutes for lap 3.  I pushed myself to get back in for lap 3.  A few weeks ago I had attempted 3 hours in the water and the water temp, as well as my mental state of being ready for 3 hours prohibited me to accomplish this goal.  I felt regret the rest of the day for not pushing myself harder.  Saturday I set out for 2.5 to 3 hours.  I was only in for 2 hours 22 minutes, but I felt okay with this on Saturday.  I swam about half the distance to the buoy and back a little.  I hesitated to get out of the water not sure if I wanted to get out and walk back on the shore.  I felt like I was going to be doing a walk of shame to have gotten out of the water and walk with my feet vs. swim with my arms back to my starting point.  However, at this point I had already pushed myself to get to the halfway point to the buoy.  I turned because my arms were weak and felt like spaghetti.  Each stroke my shoulders were more and more tender.  I wasn't cold, but I had  some physical pain from nearly 5 miles.  I decided when I looked at my watch and saw it was 9:43 I was okay to get out. 

At the time of getting out I was 50/50 at feeling successful.  As the day progressed though I felt successful.  I had some challenges in my swim and I don't feel like I gave up.  My mind thought about giving up when the waves pushed me back to shore on my first lap.  One of my swimmer friends Marc says "you can't get out, if you don't get in".  I got in to get out x3!  My time in the water I think equated to nearly 5 miles, but I would like to round it up to 5 miles from all the zig zagging I had to do in lap 1.   

Notes to self:  GU will not be one of my feed choices. (Yuck!) Stick with Cytomax for now to replace nutrients and electrolytes. 

Week of April 15, 2012

I wanted to first say thank you so much to all my friends and family who have showed an interest of my swimming.  I was overwhelmed with how much everyone liked reading my first blog.  It is a great feeling to be supported by the people in my life near or far. 

Slow week of swimming for me.  Which just reminds me how important it is for me to make every moment in the water count so I am prepared for my swims!!

I did get a good swim at Shaw's Cove on the 15th with the Oak Streakers...only about 1.25 mi though.  What made this swim for me is we had been rained out for a couple days.  It was great to get back in the salt water!  Although it was COLD!  I got out of the water with needles in my fingertips.  I believe that was a first for me to have the sensation of needles in my fingers/hands from the ocean.  (When I did my short stint of swimming in Lake Arrowhead at 43 degrees...my hands and feet were in pain from the needles) I could feel goosebumps on my legs for most of the swim. 

Monday was for sure the highlight for me of my swim week.  I had my swim practice with Newport Beach Swimming.  I did about 3500 yards or so.  Highlight of the week goes to this swim practice because I cut 5-7 seconds from my 50 free with every interval.  I was down to 48 sec on a couple of the intervals and what excites me about this is the 48 sec didn't come in the beginning of my sets.  My arms and legs were already feeling the tiredness set in, but I still managed to get in a couple 50's sub 50 sec.  Woo Hoo.  I wanted to jump out of my skin in excitement.  I shaved time off my 100 free as well.  Completing the intervals in 1:45 consistently while just the week before I was at 1:55 consistently.  Coach Jim has been awesome for me with taking the time and patience with my technique.  Seeing progress in the pool I know is going to show through in the ocean as well as my stroke continues to improve.  (Oh and I was sore on Tuesday!)

Tuesday, no swim for me.  However, in place of a swim I got to see Samuel pitch his first little league game and that was better than any swim I have ever had.  It was incredible to see him be so calm and cool on the mound. 

Wednesday, I was fogged out of a swim.  I attempted a swim at lunch at Salt Creek.  While it was gorgeous in Aliso when I left work when I got to Creek it was much to heavy of a fog for me to safely swim solo.  The fog did finally lift, but unfortunately not in time for me to get any time swimming in the water.  I did use the time to wade in the water so my body at least felt the water temp.  It felt nice.  The water felt like it had warmed at least 3 degrees from Sunday's swim.  Once the fog lifted I was thankful I hadn't attempted getting in.  I took the safe route and I was better off for it.  There were a lot more surfers in the water than it appeared with the limited visibility.  The wave break was a lot further out than it originally looked as well and stopped very close to a heavy bed of kelp. 

Thursday, I met up with Gordon, Carol, and Patsee for a fun pre-work swim.  The water still felt about 55-56 degrees, it wasn't super clear, but clear enough to see some fish.  The seals weren't out in full force on Thursday, but the water was incredible.  It was wild and fun.  On the way back I felt like I was being pulled in any direction but the one I wanted to go.  Probably added an extra .25 mi to the swim for me.  All in maybe 1.50 mi.  Of course on the way out I was taken out by a wave and felt like I was inside a washing machine of salt water and sand. 

Friday evening, plans to swim with Newport Beach Swimming...

Saturday is my big day!  I am ready and excited to swim tomorrow morning for up to 3 hours.  I can't wait to see how this swim goes for me.  I will have continuous company off and on.  With Fiona (an amazing 13 year old who is training to swim Anacapa in August as well) at 7, Lynn at about 8 followed up with the rest of the Streakers at 9.  It will be a fun morning!! 

From the start 'til now

Summer 2011 I was lucky enough to find an ocean swim buddy, Gene, we swam fairly consistently at least once a week in Corona Del Mar.  I found a crazy love and passion for the ocean during summer of 2011.  Being in the ocean gives me a feeling not replicated with many things in every day life.  I become so energized. 


I would wade the water on a clear day during a swim break and look over to Catalina and think to myself "Wow it would be so awesome to swim the Catalina Channel".  However, I kept the idea to myself until I met Lynn while ending one of my swims with Gene late that summer. 


Lynn and I were talking in the restroom and she told me she was getting ready to swim the Anacapa Channel and had already swam Catalina.  I was in such awe of her and seriously for me I was in the presence of famous person!  She inspired me then and still inspires me.  My brief conversation with Lynn made me feel like I can really do this and I want to swim the Catalina Channel before I turn 40 as my goal.  (I also figure I will then reward myself with a trip to Italy for my 40th birthday...swimming 20.2 miles and turning 40 seems worthy of a trip to Italy, right!?)  I started to swim with this great group "The Oak Streakers!"  It is this amazing group of swimmers that all started with Lynn.  A group who shares the love of open water swimming and a bond with each other through swimming.


Skipping a little ahead of my accomplishments since I decided to make my idea (that is deemed as crazy to most) a reality.  I lost my wetsuit for all swimming in late September 2011.  I decided I would see if I can make it to the end of October. I felt I would be ecstatic to not wear a wetsuit through October.  Much to my surprise I was still swimming without a wetsuit and it was Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's before I knew it!  I can remember a swim when Lynn, Mike, and myself were already out past the wave break at Oak Street and Mike commented "I remember when you said you would just see how long you could go without a wetsuit and look at you now"  (I was seriously beaming with pride when he said that)  Definitely there are moments in my mind of "what in the world am I doing" in some swims when my wave of commitment hits my chest and I think "OMG, Brrrrr".  Once you get moving I swear it isn't bad though.  My body heats up so much that it is feels quite refreshing to be in cooler water (as of now at least).  Crazy as it sounds 60 degrees has become to feel tropical for me.  :-) 


When I started to swim with Gene and even The Oak Streakers I had a fear of kelp beds.  It was on my second swim with The Streakers I had to overcome the fear.  There are some patchy beds of kelp in the areas of Laguna we swim.  Sometimes it is worse than other days.  It all seems to depend on the tides.  In the summer I am expecting for most of it to die out as the water warms up though.  It will be nice, but I think I might miss it a little.  The kelp adds a level of fun depending on how thick it is.  Sometimes it feels as though you can stand up and walk on it and other times you can barrel straight through it.  Anyway, back to my second swim...I am much slower than the other swimmers in the group (without my fins).  On the second time out I swam right into a bed of kelp.  The crazy interesting thing to me about kelp is I feel like I can be swimming in a clean kelp free ocean and then boom out of no where I am swallowed up in kelp.  I felt like that anyway when I was still terrified of it.  It was my second swim when I felt stuck and I was feeling really anxious and uncomfortable and alone then I heard one of the other swimmers voices call out to me, Howard, right as I had decided I would just make a straight swim to the shoreline and call it a day.  His voice was like an angel that morning to me.  His voice guided me out of the kelp.  I don't know if he realized just how nervous I was when he called out to me.  It was from his voice that I knew I just needed to take a deep breathe and keep swimming.  I conquered my fear of kelp that morning! 

There are many other mental challenges for me to continue to overcome.  I think it is very safe to say that preparing for a channel swim takes definitely physical preparation, but as much as physical there are so many mental aspects of it.  Swimming without a wetsuit (check), kelp beds (check), cool water (check, however, I do hope I will get the average water temps at the times of my swims of 65-68 degrees), swimming in the dark (not really a check quite yet...swimming at dawn check, but not pitch dark midnight), eating food with it being thrown out to you from a boat like you are a seal begging for food at Sea World...no check yet.  There are so many other little and big things to prepare for in doing a big swim.  It is all exciting for me though.  Overcoming every hurdle one stroke at a time is exhilarating! 

Since September 2011, I have come as close as I have in my life to "swimming with" dolphins.  They come so close to us at times and other times close enough you can hear their beautiful chatter while swimming.  It is incredible how loud their voices travel.  I have had baby seals swim right under my feet as I am wading water.  I have seen a small 3-4 foot shark about 5-6 feet from me.  (Yes that scared me and I swam for my life, until to realize in retrospect the shark was more scared of me than I was of it...maybe?) Sting rays and tons of schools of fish and starfish.  It is all so awesome to come so close to. 

A friend of mine on FB once posted a picture of the beach on a day she spent with her kids over the summer and her caption to the post read something along the lines of --- I think God created the beach to say here you go have this giant playground.  I think of that post nearly every time I step on the sand and every time I barrel my way through the wave breaks I think --- yeah what a fun playground.  :-)  She is completely right. 

I have swam in the ocean to date at times as cold as 51 degrees and at times with waves up to about 12 feet (maybe more).  At times when the ocean is so beautiful and peaceful with a stillness about her and at times when it is so choppy and rough it feels as though you are just swimming in place from currents.  The cool thing is every time I am in the ocean it is never the same adventure and it is never boring! 

I am set to swim The Anacapa Channel (12.4 miles) August 25th.  I look forward to be able to call myself a Marathon Channel Swimmer the afternoon of the 25th.  I will use this blog as a diary of my adventures while training so I can share it with family and friends who are interested and also keep it for myself to look back at from time to time and remember how I felt at certain points.  The high points and low points...cheers to more high than low points! 

As of today, April 17th, I am wetsuit free, free of any fear of kelp, and perfectly capable of swimming up to 4 miles in the ocean.  My next longer training swim will be April 21st and I anticipate swimming 2.5 to 3 hours in the water.  It should take me up to mileage of up to 6!!

More to follow...