Double Horned Straight

Met Josh at 6:30am at the Marina.  The sun is really taking its time now coming up and when we started out it was still pretty dark.  We took off for a Horned Straight route today.  I got to the eastern buoy and saw Josh way off in the distance.  I think he might have had trouble seeing the buoy.  I know with my clear ones I still have trouble when its dark so I can only imagine how tough it is with tinted blue ones.  I waited for him to get close and then continued on to Black Rock.

Arrived at Black Rock and waited for Josh.  Then swam back to the marina entrance where Josh swam to the ramp and I wanted to get in at least 4 miles today so I went for a "Double Horned Straight".  Here's the GPS image of the Horned Straight at the start, and then the horned straight coming back (inverse image on the left).  See the horn?  That's why I'm calling it that.

Total Distance 4.3 miles
Time: 2:03

What an eventful morning!

This morning I got to the pool knowing it would be cut short with the facility holding it's Splash and Dash event.  I ended up doing:

2000 - 10 x 200's free, kick, IM, pull large paddles, free, agility paddles, kick, IM, free, back

Just before getting out, I asked James if he wanted video of his stroke and then he took some of my stroke.  Oh my I had no idea that my catch was so non existent!  I'm going to have to work on that.



Then met Annie at the marina and we did a Double Horned Straight.

I went down the ramp to put up the flag.  Annie waited at the top of the ramp cause we were going to get in on the other side down at the end of the walkway to Silversands beach.  She pointed out a snake that kinda scared her.  It was a three and a half foot garter snake.  Pretty good sized little guy.  I like snakes, mostly cause I really enjoyed Steve Irwin.  That guy was my hero.  Here's a funny little clip of Irwin:

Probably one meter long water snake at the marina.

We waded out about a hundred yards to mid thigh level and took off to the red buoy.  The water was barely rippling and the sky was completely clear and blue.  Perfect day!

I took three readings with my watch throughout the swim: 67, 70 and 68.  I was annoyed with my shivering.  I didn't feel cold, but when we took a drink break at black rock I noticed that I was shivering slightly!  How embarrassing!

When we got back my GPS read 4.09 miles and my watch stopped at 2:01 including drink breaks and stopping once to get that one stupid drop of salt water out of my goggles.

I noticed a kayaker at the boat ramp.  I went down to retrieve the posted swimmer flag and asked her if she would be willing to come out and help kayak next week.  She said that she couldn't and that she was starting hew own adventure across the lake.  The lightbulb went off for me cause I had a conversation via email earlier this week with a Rebecca Richins.  She is a hardcord kayaker that is attempting a double length crossing of the Great Salt Lake.  What a coincidence that she would be here this morning.  We talked for a good bit and her friend was there taking video.  She is producing a documentary of Rebecca's adventure.  During our conversation she was intrigued and asked me some questions.

I'm especially interested in Rebecca's journey.  I told her a bit about Fremont Island and about the story of John Baptiste.  She hadn't heard of "Redemption" so I stopped by at Seagull book on the way home and picked one up for her.  I know she'd really like it. I'm eager to talk with her again.  

Total for the day: 2000 sc yards and 4.09 miles open water

Getting a head start on recovery

The last mile of today's swim was a reminder that the left shoulder is still something to be considered.  I was very happy with the quick recovery from Bear Lake, however today was the first time with shoulder pain since then.  So the question is do I live with the pain for two more weeks and do the surgery after Slam the Dam, or do I just get going on it now and get a head start on the recovery so that I can get back in the water say mid October rather than the end of October?

I decided to just get going.  Which means I'll have to sacrifice my Slam the Dam entry. Which would probably turn out to be pretty painful with the state this shoulder is in.  So I have surgery scheduled for this Friday with Dr. Richards.

Today's swim was a double horned straight - 4.3 miles in 2:08.  Pretty uneventful swim and as you can see not the fastest.  Went well until the last mile, then while I swam in pain I thought through the above decision.

Total Distance: 4.3 miles
Time: 2:08

Michael Slade is meeting me out at GSL Marina on Wednesday morning for a photo shoot.  Good timing as I'll probably have that be my last real swim for the year out there.  After that it'll be considered a polar bear swim.  The water today was 69°.  It's dropping fast.