Feelin' Kinda Salty

Today after work I went for my first-ever Aquatic Park swim. I borrowed a wetsuit to fend against the cold San Francisco Bay water, and went out into it. I’ve tried twice before without a wetsuit, and chickened out when the water reached my belly. The water, yes, it’s cold.

The wetsuit I borrowed feels too small for me, but maybe that’s just a side effect of being properly snug. It’s a shorty; the sleeves are long but the legs cover about one-third of the thigh. Fortunately, that’s enough. My experience before was that my legs acclimatized quickly, but my torso and arms just couldn’t take it.

I got out there, not knowing if I could do it. I’ve gone distances as much as a mile when I’ve been in a pool going back and forth, but this was relatively open water. It was a calm day and still choppier than I’m used to. The water is pretty gross, too. I’ve got to learn how to better avoid getting any in my mouth. Ewww.

Today I did two laps at Aquatic Park, which means I did two-thirds of a mile. The first lap was to prove I could do it at all. The second was trying to get into a rhythm. I never really did find a rhythm, but I was eventually able to slow down enough that I could go without stopping for a few yards. It’s harder to trust that there will be air for me when the water is less smooth and predictable.

Anyhow, this was enough of a first for me. I’ll try going for the full mile sometime after I get a little training. I’m sure I’m doing a lot wrong and can’t wait to find out what.

Also, must get my heartrate monitor fixed. I wish I could find the receipt. I bought it in February; I don’t think it was supposed to stop working in June. It still tells my heartrate; it just won’t tell me the time or act as a stopwatch any more. Sucks.