Hashers And Mashers - Part 3 - Open (Page 14)

Hi All, I drove to Kelowna today and picked up my package for Saturday's "Across the Lake" swim.  It is only 2100m so I haven't spent much time preparing for it.  Now for anyone looking for a challenging swim the same people have a "Rattlesnake Island Swim" coming up in 3 weeks (Aug 9th).  The 3.1km one-way swim is sold out but the 7.1km there and back swim is still open (from Peachland across the lake and around the island then back).  Anyone interested?  It can be quite rough and a strong current.  A fellow I swim with did it last year and he figures he was closer to 8km by the time he got back to Peachland and he was wondering if it was ever going to end.

Anna - We are better known for our cold weather for sure but the Okanagan valley gets quite warm.  At home here we grow raspberries, blackberries and grapes.  We're also thinking of adding some blueberries (we used to have peaches, nectarines and cherries as well).  We only rarely use our vehicles air conditioning (used it today) but what we really appreciate is heated car seats that we use every day in the winter.  Now that is serious luxury, eh.

Enjoy your 100km bike ride.  What are you planning to do for hydration and nutrition?  Let us know how it goes.

Miche - The lady you met may not have been prepared for the hills you were riding but by the end of her ride she'll be prepared for any hill or wind she meets.  Last year we met a fellow from Philadelphia that was cycling across Canada.  Had a nice chat with him and replenished all his warm water with nice cool water.

Gary - I hope you're right that nothing can knock me down.  It may come in handy for my HIM.  No matter what I do or how strong I get I will always feel like I should have prepared more or better than I have (which I think is what you are feeling just now - so trust in the magical powers of the taper - you have done enough).

With regards to your next event, as a test race is not a bad idea.  It isn't so long that you are risking too much and even as a test event you'll still go pretty near to as fast as you can.  Ssooo, have fun but listen very carefully to your knee/AC lig and if you feel something isn't right then quit because this event is only a Sprint and not worth risking serious injury.  Does that make any sense?

Nicole - I hope you get to ride a good GranFondo type ride.  I've really enjoyed mine.  This was my 5th so far.  On my bucket list I also have the Tour de Victoria 140km (Vancouver Island); Whistler GranFondo (tough climbing I hear); Tour de Alberta (killer winds).  I'd love to read your race report for a GF.

I swam my "Across the Lake Swim" today.  It was a decent day for me even though I was considerably slower than I had hoped but I finished strong and felt good.  My race report isn't too interesting because it was just a swim but here it is:

Across the Lake Swim

I'm looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow.

Great report George, it just goes to show that "just a swim" is never really just a swim, especilly in open water. Well done for making it across.

Nicole - Might you have (or have access to) a tuning fork?  If you do tap the fork to get it vibrating then hold the bottom tip onto the bone at the point of your pain.  If it aggravates your pain it is likely fractured but if it remains unchanged then you're likely going to be fine.  The high pitch vibration sets the two edges of a fracture against each other and your body says, "Cut that out!"

Thanks for the comments Anna, Mike and Nicole.  While I was swimming it seemed like there wouldn't be much to put into a race report but I actually forgot to put a lot of things in.  I really found it neat to find myself swimming out in the middle of a big lake, more than a kilometre from any shore in any direction, and feeling quite comfortable.  On reflection, I think what saved me from a longer swim was the thought that my friend was passing me so I sped up and that got me to the finish.  Plus it was neat to learn that I actually can push myself.  In the end my friend was pulled from the lake near the 3hr mark.

Of the 6 other people I knew at the swim, 2 were pulled because they were just swimming in place (and both are competent swimmers); 2 finished in decent time for the day but much slower than they swam last year; and the other two were an hour or more longer than they expected.

I have Bad news and Good news.  The bad news (for me) is my oldest daughter turned 37 yesterday!  How the heck did she get so old?  The good news is she has decided to train for a Sprint next May.  So I might have to do a Sprint next year.

i'm still gimping around from my sprain 6 weeks ago and the pain is getting worse.  not worse - duller, less acute, but more constant.  i go into see a podiatrist next monday.  until then i am just feeling really down and discouraged about trying any kind of exercise - my foot just balloons up and aches for hours after i do anything.  swimming is still OK, just inconvenient and boring, and with my pool set up in long course super full up of rude people.  everything else...just don't want to even test it.  maybe i can set up the bike trainer?  

ugh 

i haven't been yet, especially because i waited 2 weeks and started running with no pain for short runs.  that didn't last, so appt set for next monday.

Hi All - I'm all packed and leaving early tomorrow morning for Alberta.  It should be a nice road trip.  I'm not sure if I'll have access to the internet so I may be quiet until next Wednesday. 

Nicole and Marilyn - Take care of yourselves.  Hopefully you'll both be back to normal soon.

Gary - I love swimming in our local lakes.  They're pretty clear, sandy shores and minimal weeds or mud.  If I were to swim in the ocean with you I'd be pretty nervous too.  Especially if the water was pretty deep. 

ewww...but at least an answer is better than a mystery.  my foot keeps getting worse, hope my podiatrist can diagnose me as easily!