Another great OWS this morning at Wrightsville Beach. Paul, Bill, Burak and I went from Johnny Mercer to Crystal Pier and back, no wetsuits. We were joined by LeeAnn and Katherine, who swam with wetsuits to Crystal Pier. Katherine then drove back to Johnny Mercer and brought our towels to us (with Bean) at waters edge. They may be the two very best people in the world today.
Water was cold – Paul’s watch had an average of 66 degrees with a low of 63 and a high of 68. Air temperature started at a (very) windy 40 and rose to… I don’t actually know. It did not feel like it rose.
I was super happy with both my swim and my cold tolerance. I took it easy going out, knowing that the coming back was going to be the trick of it. We made it down to JM in about 35 minutes… which means it took us almost an hour and 25 minutes to get back. Massive swells. Crazy chop. Absolutely perfect training for the channel. Honestly, the whole way back I was just thinking, “well, this is hard… but I could do this for 11 hours if I had to.” Not that I don’t need more training, etc., but I feel like I’m completely on track. Phew.
That being said, it was like being in an endless pool from hades. You don’t go anywhere except up and down, no matter how hard you try to go forward. I was actually dizzy when I finally got out.
The cold was totally fine. I’ve noticed as I’ve been paying attention lately – I’m colder with my clothes on. (yeah, boys) As soon as I take them off I feel warmer, and once I get into the water I feel warmer still. That kind of made sense today (it really was quite cold with a brisk wind blowing), but I feel like that even on sunny, warm days. I don’t think I’ll question it to deeply – I’m relieved beyond measure to find that my cold-tolerating superpowers are still intact. (In my next life, it would be nice if I had superpowers that could be used other than recreationally).
We went to King Titan’s for brunch and it was food, which means that it tasted amazing. Wrapping my hands around a warm burrito was an awesome feeling. (yeah, boys) We all got the post-cold swim shivers, but nobody felt too bad (or admitted it anyway).
The drive was not bad at all, and Bill was great company. I wasn’t too tired coming back, but I am now, so I think I’ll cease and desist for now.
