Updates!

Been a while since I wrote, dear reader(s). Thought I’d update you on the goings-on in IronMike’s life.

Pool found!

My great (new) boss has graciously offered the use of her pool. While it is too cold here to use my outdoor, 12-m long pool, she has an indoor 5-ish meter pool that I can use. I strap ankles to the straps I used during the summer, and then swim away. It’s lovely to be swimming regularly again, and I am thankful my boss is fully supportive of my Issyk Kul attempts.

2015…

…was great! Our Croatian vacation allowed me to do a lot of salt water OW swimming. From my 7k+ swim from Sutivan to Supetar, to my awesome 5K in Raslina, I had such a great time. No other OW swims were done, unfortunately, but that’s mostly due to my current location. Unlike when I was in Moscow, a “simple” trip to Europe for a swim requires about 24 hours of air flight, each way! Not to mention the cost.

Toru-Aygyr attempt

But let’s not forget my attempt at crossing Issyk Kul. I learned a butt-load on that attempt, mostly in the logistics and scheduling realms. I’m happy that I still have tremendous support from my co-workers and locals on attempting again in 2016. And this time it’ll be in June or July when the water is about 7C warmer!

Fitness

Despite having some dry months, I have been staying in shape. I’ve been working out with the wife, who is an excellent lifter. Sadly, my record-breaking lifts put me in the “stronger than 1% of all men 40-49 years old” category. But hey, you gotta start somewhere, right? The wife and I also took part in a “hot yoga” session a couple weeks ago and loved it. We’re looking forward to doing it again. We did yoga for a couple years or so many years ago and I’ll tell you: there’s nothing for improving your push-ups than doing yoga planks over and over and over again. And…

Skiing!

The skiing here in Kyrgyzstan is incredible. And cheap (relatively). The family has gone six times and I’ve gone three. And it doesn’t break the bank. Can you beat these views?

Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

2016

2016 will have us moving again. We’ll see what the OW season will look like once we get closer to our move. For now, I’m scheduled for my Issyk Kul attempt, but beyond that, who knows. I’d also like to jump up into the 5% strength category!

DN back in the news

Marathon swimmer extraordinaire Anthony McCarley did an academic review of the official documents available for Diane Nyad’s assisted Cuba-to-Florida swim from 2013. It is well worth your reading if you’re wondering what all the hub-bub is or why all us (real marathon swimmers) haters are going on and on about her.

OK, that’s it for now. I hope this post finds all you dear reader(s) enjoying your new year so far. For all my friends fighting off the resolution-crowd in their lap lanes, I’m praying you’ll get your lanes back soon.  😉

2 thoughts on “Updates!”

  1. Happy 2016 to you! I’m jealous you get to ski and do so on the cheap! So the move won’t interfere with your crossing attempt? Excellent. Can’t wait to read about your preparations.

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