Dwight Crum Pier-To-Pier 2 Mile Swim - Swim

This was more a training day than a race. We rode about 90 to Santa Barbara the day before then ran some, and had a long run after. So the swim wasn't a race but just part of larger training. I certainly did not go 100%

They start in two waves, men and then women and wetsuits. Kinda unfair to the women. I started pretty far to the outside and just tried to stay out of the womens' way. t was fairly uneventful, but rounding the Hermosa pier things kinda pinched together. It was there, surrounded by fit women in bathing suits, that I realized the benefits of the system........

Once I rounded the pier I just tried to pick a good line. I tend to swim left, and I haven' done but one pier to pier swim all summer as I've been training elsewhere. Did ok, but couldn't find anyone to draft off. Started passing the men's wave pretty quickly, but didn't see any wetsuits ahead of me to draft off of.

I didn't have a watch, but what I felt was about half way, looked for the "mile house." Didn't see it, thought for a moment, "wow, it's already behind me!!!" but, about 5 minutes later, there is eas in the distance ahead of me. Ugh!

But it wasn't too long before I hit the 90210 house. Then the walk streets, and the pier getting closer.

I kept a pretty steady pace throughout, a bit harder than IM pace at times, and sometimes got to Olympic pace, but most of it was HIM pace/effort.

Came around Manhattan Pier and started looking for waves to catch. Just missed the first one. Next broke behind me and plunged me into whitewater. Kicking up, my calf seized up and would not let go. I was in about 4 feet of water and just stood on it to get it to loosen. Made my way to shore and jogged over the mat.

Looked like some fast swimmers just finishing in that time period (58 ish for them), so it looked like it was a bit of a slow year. Winners went 41 (non wetsuit) so a bit slow).

Nothing, happy with the swim. A little breakfast, then off fr a 12.5 mile run after

Great shirts this year!