Went to the beach today.
The sun had peaked out earlier while I was enjoying a lazy Sunday morning reading. That sun teased me though. I had wanted to start my cold-water training earlier, but every weekend I was either traveling or it was raining. (What’s with all the rain here, Boston?)
But by the time I got to the beach it was consistently overcast. No matter. Not gonna turn around now. I doffed my clothes, hopefully (hopelessly?) tucked my cap and goggles under my suit and started the walk.
Got about this far and froze.
Holy crap was that cold. Spent a good deal of time (ok, maybe 3 minutes) at the feet-only level, dipping the thermometer in trying to get a reading. The feet were on fire, frozen, so no reason not to go deeper, right?
Stayed at knee level long enough to get a consistent reading on the thermometer. 46F, steady. Cold.
At about this point I started to worry about my phone. It was no longer safe tucked into the top of my suit. Right after the above picture a higher wave came by, above the cockles, and I knew then it was time to go deposit my phone back on the beach. I exited quickly, not wanting to lose any of my acclimation I’d just suffered through, and returned. It was wonderful how much easier it was to re-enter the water and get back to the same level. In fact, I went deeper.
Once I got to ten minutes I knew I could do more. Last Halloween I’d done 10 minutes standing in 51F and then 5-6 strokes at the Vampire Swim. So today was so much better. I decided I’d go for 15 minutes, then perhaps dip myself fully into the water? We’ll see.
I walked down so that I was more often than not sub-cockles in the water. I gotta tell you: it really does burn water this cold. My thighs were on fire for quite a while till they got used to it. Then my scrot…yikes.
That’s pretty much how I felt.
When 15:00 came, I decided it was time for the dunk. What’s the worst that could happen? I’m not doing any strokes, after all. It was definitely a shock, and I knew I couldn’t do any swimming. But it wasn’t as bad as I thought. In fact, I probably should have stayed up to my shoulders in the water because when I stood up that wind. Yowza.
But I did it. Acclimatization begins. I don’t want the water temp in Boston Light to be a determining factor for my swim. Hopefully next weekend there’ll be some sun and I can try to go longer and maybe even do some strokes!
Just standing is harder than striding, and striding is harder than swimming. once you get in. Remember my ignoble entry to BLS? 😉 My Good Friday swim at Forty FiveF was MUCH better- shorter, but with more time, I’d have been fine for a while. Cold is a very odd thing, but I’m glad I’ve wrapped my mind around it a bit through the winter. BLS was the hardest swim I’ve done, totally due to cold and how I responded to it. The Ice Mile remains elusive, for a few reasons, mainly logistics. Wind makes it harder, mainly because of my constant mental image of my dry stuff flying to the tree tops. 😉 I have a very well evolved system for after cold, with distinct systems for high Forties and the Fifties, and the lower forties and below.
Once in and moving, I give myself time to move slowly and breathe deliberately. The fire fades, circulation shifts, and at the mid forties and above, I do get to where the fire fades and I gain full function. Just keep paying attention to hands and feet, and get out at a shiver. 😉 You can do it, and you will be ready. 😀 You have the home court advantage. 😀
Still laughing at sub-cockles 😂. Great job!!
Thanks Sarah! Sorry didn’t reply sooner. WP isn’t letting me know anymore when people comment on my blog. No idea why. As to cockles, I think I heard that part of the male body called that in a movie decades ago. Can’t remember which one. But I’ve used that term since, with respect to cold water. Just seems appropriate. 😉