Whatever floats your boat

A little while back, my nephew, Kenny, who has gone back to school to become a social worker, asked me for some more information about my swim because he wanted to do a presentation about it at school.  This was a proud moment, as I am quite proud of Kenny for continuing his education and desire to help people as a social worker, and because he was learning more about Lake Ontario specifically through my goal and wanted to share it with his classmates!

For one part, he wanted to know a bit about the challenges and sacrifices, and I told him something along these lines:  At over 40k of swimming, being in the water continuously for 15 to 21 hours without a wetsuit in uncertain conditions, this is one of my biggest physical challenges yet, but not only is it physically and mentally challenging, it is also an organizational and financial challenge.  I mention that my 1st & easiest sacrifice was TV and suggested that the average persons hours of TV viewing per week was probably close to the hours I train a week; but still the time commitment means some of my family time is sacrificed (although I try to limit it and make up for it, this is the hardest sacrifice) as well my family have all sacrificed time to help me with the swim...

But even through all the challenges and sacrifices, I have been relatively happy and excited about the swim and the preparation for it.  I have a wonderful and great support team of family and friends who help me stay in the right frame of mind and swimming for the health of Lake Ontario helps too!  I guess I'd say Lake O really floats my boat!...

Which brings me to my announcement: we bought a boat, a 14' inflatable boat!!  As I mentioned to Kenny, one of the challenges is organizing the swim, this is partially due to the requirement to have 4 boats accompany me during the crossing.  So this boat will be used in my crossing, but more then that the decision to buy a boat was influenced by how we want to use it after the swim:

We want to help on future swim crossings, help the aspirants by lending & driving one of the required boats, and hopefully make the organization for others a little easier in doing so!
We also want to share Lake O with more family and friends, so sometime after the swim we hope to get many friends out for a little boat ride/tubing as a little thank you to the many who have helped us and just for a fun time on Lake O!
So financially we think it is a good investment...

Today we took the boat for its maiden voyage, I swam awhile first with Cadence kayaking and Bill driving the boat with Dahlia, my sister Ariana and her boyfriend Adam on board; and then Cadence and I joined in for a ride on the boat too.

  

The main event - the swim crossing

It is less than 2 weeks away... (I don't know how that has happened, but it has!)  It is really getting exciting now!!

Here are details of the main event:
We plan to leave at 12AM in the very early morning of Friday August 12th (also thought of as the middle of the night on Thursday the 11th) from Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie.  The time may vary slightly, give or take, depending on the weather forcast and lake conditions, and if the 11/12th is a complete no go, the storm delay date is 1 week later on August 18/19th.  Due to the late hour of our start, we aren't holding a big send off.
This gives us an expected arrival time in Oakville at the east/north side of Coronation Park of late afternoon/evening on the 12th (or 18th).  There will be a live link on my website provided & sponsored by Accipiter Radar, which will let you track the crossing and be better able to determine my arrival time.  Upon arrival we will be having a short* celebratory gathering in the park and would love for you to welcome us in.  I will be thinking of your smiling faces drawing me into shore!
Thank you all for your support!  This has been a wonderful adventure.  I have learned a lot about myself, about the great support team I have in my life, and about our Great Lake Ontario!

* the crew and I will be very tired, so it will be short, but I encourage you to come and spend some extra time by the Lake!

If you are available to help clean-up after the crossing or to help transport crew to the start or home from the finish, please contact Fiona Lowden at fiona.lowden@cogeco.ca or myself at pryson3@cogeco.ca

Terrific Tuesdays

The last 2 Tuesdays I've taken a vacation day!  Why do days off always go so fast?
I let the kids sleep in a bit, while I did some chores around home.

Then we headed to Dahlia's daycare to volunteer in the pool for her/their daycare swim.  Dahlia loves the water!  She does a nice little float on her back and has a good little kick now (those wild kicks most little kids do are gone)  Cadence did a great job playing with the kids too, they loved having Dahlia's "si-si" in the water too!  What a fun hour!

Next, Cadence and I headed to Lake Ontario.  Last week, it was too rough for Cadence to kayak especially to try and do so beside me swimming, so we ended up just playing in the waves (see previous blog about our fun http://melaniepriceadventures.blogspot.com/2011/07/fun-in-lake-ontario.html)

This week, though we had a good swim/kayak.  Cadence could be a pro kayaker, she did well!  After thinking last week that we really should of had the underwater camera, we remembered to bring it this week. Here are some of the fun(ny) pictures we took.  (I took a little break while swimming to get some pictures, but then back to business, we both did a really strong return leg into a strong headwind!)

 

 

 

 

 

And a video Cadence took of me swimming, keep in mind she is a pro kayaker, not a pro video-er while kayaking:

And bonus, when we were carrying the kayak to the car after, Cadence says "mom, I just need to adjust my grip", and we were by these people (who Cadence previously rescue their big sun umbrella which had blown into the water for) who heard Cadence say "mom" and then one of them said to us "oh I thought you were sisters"  love it!

Both Tuesdays after the beach I went for a massage!  Julie Richards RMT helps me so much.  She is amazing strong!  Writing this now, I am still basking in how great I'm feeling!  Thanks Julie, she knows what a mess I'd be with out her! 

And then home for the evening, with the whole family together, so unusual lately, so pleasant!

Remember coming back may be up-hill

Monday I met up with a new person from the Peninsula Paddlers Kayaking Club, Nancy, who volunteered to come paddle with me!  I just think it is so amazing when strangers are willing to help!
Anyways it was another rough day on the water!  We had to go out pretty far to get past the big crashers.  The waves were pretty big and maybe because we were so far off shore, my perception was that we were moving really slow on the way out.  And I just figured this was going to be the more difficult direction... but when we turned around to come back, I soon realized I was wrong.  It was definitely an up-hill battle going back.  The waves were more choppy going this way, this makes it harder to get a rythm as the waves hit your arm before you plan to put it in the water and makes you start your pull before you intended and it also makes it harder to time a breath/easier to swallow water when you want to get a breath!  I really felt like I was in an endless pool, working hard, but going nowhere!  It was very slow going!!  And after 3 and a half hours in the water and still a fair distance from the start location and it starting to get dark, I decided, for safety and as well because I had not set up my nutrition to be out for any longer (being out for over 3 hours was not the plan and I felt bad for doing that to my new kayaking friend) to go to shore and run along the beach the rest of the way back.  Nancy could then kayak a little faster to the finish. 
And just to give Nancy some kicks, the big crashing waves flipped her coming into shore!  She was so cute, telling me her heart was just beating like crazy when she started to come in she was so excited!  She had a kayak that needed to be emptied of water before we could get it back to her car.
Big hug from my new wet friend!
Thank you Nancy!  you were a trooper out there!

Fun in Lake Ontario

Rob wrote a great little write-up about Saturday's LOST swim, http://lostswimming.com/?p=2578 where he mentions how underutilized Lake Ontario is, and how open water swimmers around the world only wish they had such a great body of water to train in.  Sentiments which I agree with completely!  He mentions a bunch of things Lake O doesn't have which make it great (sharks etc) and I want to expand on a few other benefits and share some other stories about the fun I've been having in it lately with family and friends.

Peninsula Paddlers Kayaking Club - The parasites in Gullivers (see my previous blog http://melaniepriceadventures.blogspot.com/2011/07/swimmers-itch.html) was a blessing in disguise, it made me connect with the Peninsula Paddlers Kayaking Club, so I could training more in Lake Ontario instead.  One of the tricky things about training for this crossing is getting in the training.  In the pool season I was a slave to the pool schedule.  And in Lake Ontario I always need someone with me, to train safely.  I was going to Gullivers to get some swims in that didn't require me to bring someone to watch over me (no boat traffic, it's small, warmer and never gets rough), but after two bouts of 'swimmers itch' there, I was ready to take up my friend, Jen Davies' offer to try and co-ordinate something with the kayak club she was with.  This has worked out beautifully for me and I think they are having fun out on the lake too (going nice and slow with me)  Jen used to swim with BMSC and it has been great to see her again.  Another member of the club is one of my teachers from elementary school (small world), and I'm meeting some new people too, who also enjoy the water, which always makes me happy!  Big thank you to Peninsula Paddlers!  This has made it possible for me to get out in the Lake approx. 5 times a week, which is giving me more great experiences in various conditions...

Variables - the variables you get out on Lake O are definitely one of it's benefits for anyone training for triathlons or open water races!  Cold temps, waves, chop and currents are all great things to train in if you are training for something that has an open water component.  Just like if you were training for a race with a hilly bike course you would do some training on hills.  In open water swimming though, you never know exactly what you'll get on race day.  You may be given an expected water temp range in the race description, but race day may be colder then expected.  A LOSTie has been out in some cold temps and knows they can handle it and that experience will be an asset!  Similarly for waves and chop!  It's a confidence builder to have trained in it and having done so can eliminate some race jitters too.  The variables have also helped stop me from getting bored of the training!  It is always something new and I never know what I'm going to get until I get there!



Cadence usually stayed on the dock



Rocking the waves - speaking of waves and not knowing what you'll get at the Lake: My oldest daughter, Cadence and I went down to the Lake on Tuesday with the intension of having her paddle with me.  When we got down to the beach, we found big white capped waves crashing in.  Cadence still gave the kayaking a try but she tipped and therefore I managed to get her in Lake O for the first time. (wink) See, Cadence isn't a big open water fan, "it's creepy!"  But she was already in, and with the lure of the waves, I convinced her to stay and play (after beaching the kayak)  We jumped waves, dove in them and the waves were big enough to do some body surfing too.  It was like the wavepool but with sand and occasional brush with seaweed; which still freaked Cadence out a bit but she made a great break-through and had some fun too.  We both also took the kayak out again, and after this crossing I look forward to enjoying the lake by kayak some more.

Sharing the fun continued with the manager of my swim - Fiona Lowden - Saturday Fiona came out to her 1st LOST swim to practice pacing with me, she even rented a wetsuit.  She did a great job as she does with everything!  On top of organizing this swim (& other events/fundraising for the swim) she is also able to drive a boat for the swim, as she has her pleasure craft licence; and she is able to pace for me!  She is also like a ray of sunshine, which I really noticed when she was on the boat for the trial swim, always smiling!  Fiona is a lot of fun and a great friend!  I don't think I will ever be able to thank her enough for all she is doing for me! and it really means a lot to me that she came out to swim in the Lake and enjoyed it too!

LOSTie friends

So I'm learning more about Lake Ontario as I get in it even more often and I've been enjoying it in various ways and with more friends and family.  Rob also mentioned the people being great in his blog!  This is a big part of it, there is a weath of experience and knowledge in the LOST group. On Saturday, I talked with Gary L a bit about his recent 10 mile race in Vermont, and Steve F shared his neat experience with me about observing/officiating in the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, to mention a few... it's just good conversation, with great people, who do some great things but are still down to earth!  Lake O has helped me to make these friendships!

Great Lake, Great experiences, Great friends and family! (& no sharks)  :)

Happy about the heat wave!

I may be the only one happy we had a heat wave this week, but considering not too long ago I was worried about the cold spring and hence my chance of getting a day when the Lake was warm enough for crossing (remember I don't wear a wetsuit) was looking slim; yes I am happy about the heat this past week.  I now have gotten out from swimming in Lake Ontario 5 times without having to put my parka on.  Still a few shivers, probably the only one around here shivering, but they aren't around long, and the Lake is warming up and I am very comfortable in these temperatures in the water!  My chances of having an acceptable temperature for the crossing have gone up considerably.  So when you are sweating, don't complain, go jump in the Lake!  It is refreshing!! 

16k trial swim

Solo Swims of Ontario (SSO) sanctions all solo swims across Lake Ontario to ensure such swims are conducted safely.   SSO requires that an aspirant must complete an outdoor, open water, continuous swim in the same or similar body of water being challenged, of not less than one-third of the intended distance, with a maximum of ten miles (sixteen kilometres), to test the swimmer's readiness for a marathon swim.  
I did my swim on Sunday, starting at the LOST Saturday swim start pier in Oakville going 4k east just past the LOST race start and back and then out and back again for a total of 16k.

sunscreen required!

It was looking to be a beautiful day.  Bill and I meet Lynn and Denyse by the pier around 8am and started getting ready.  The boat arrived about 25 minutes later, with Colleen S (the SSO official), Fiona and Thomas (the boat owner) on board.  By 8:30 Lynn and I were swimming.  (Denyse swam out to the boat to cruise for the first lap.)  

Not even 5 minutes in, the boat hit Bill in the kayak and he tipped.  Lynn and I swam back to him, started grabbing things that were floating away, we got the kayak upright and tried to help Bill as he made an attempt to get back in... wasn't happening.  I said you are close enough to shore, probably best if you swim in and get back in there, we will keep swimming and you can catch up.  Coincidentally, I did hold on to the kayak to help him try and get back in, this is one of the no no's, intentionally touching something, I wasn't sure if Colleen would restart the swim or what, anyways this was going to be the longest "break" I would take (my feeding "breaks" are much quicker)  Bill actually went to the boat to get back in and the boat and he caught up to us soon enough.  I learned afterwards that this was a good lesson for us, because we were informed that in the Lake O crossing formation (boats in a diamond with swimmer(s) in the diamond, if the swimmer is coming towards the boat, the boat is to hold it's line and let the swimmer crash into it, as this is the way to keep the swimmer in the right direction, if the boat moves, we go off course, makes sense.

So Lynn's leg pacing felt a little disorganized and I felt like they were talking about things I should be able to hear but couldn't... we had to change direction a bit to swim out further, again it made total sense because of the boat in the shallow spots along the shore, but it changed the directional cues we normally have when swimming LOST.  Anyways we did finally seem to get a rhythm and get going.

Lynn and I had to swim through a thick carpet of seaweed stuff, it was a bit nasty for awhile...
So we swam past Maple Groove and I was wondering if they were going to tell me when to turn around, but according to GPS we still had 1/2 a km to go...

invasion of the paddleboarders

We turned and Denyse was beside me.  This lap felt great!  We had a bit of waves/wind coming at us, but I also felt like we had the current going with us.  At one point we could see all these people standing on paddleboards coming by, it was quite pleasant to see them (apparently they were racing to Port Credit).  Also around this time the boat traffic began to pick up...



it was clear underwater!



I was surprise how soon I saw the lighthouse and we were at the pier.  I said thanks to Lynn and Denyse as they were off and said hello to Andrew in the water.  The third leg was pretty uneventful, nothing sticks out in my mind, other than I knew we were close to the turn around and I could see Bill point to shore and Fiona looking through the binoculars and eventually Bill kayaked off to the shore.  After the swim I learned that they didn't think it was Stacey (the 4th/final pacer) because all Fiona saw through the binoculars was a bunch of kids.  (Stacey has 3 young ones, including twins, and I think she was already in the water, so Fiona couldn't see her)  Stacey also wasn't sure if it was us, because we were so far off shore (and I had said we'd go along the shore)  Anyways, it worked and Stacey swam with me back.  In the choppiest leg of the swim.  In Colleen's official report she said the waves got up to a foot, not really a big deal and I reminded myself of last year's LOST race, "That's all I have left to do" and that was probably wavier... 

Colleen also said this was my strongest leg, go figure, I like a challenge!  This time coming back though, I couldn't see the lighthouse, Bill said "start angling back into shore" and I was confused because I couldn't see that we were that close, fighting the chop I thought we had gone nowhere, but here we were almost back.  Then I saw the beach and some people there, I pictured myself finishing the crossing... I will use that picture later! 
We climbed up onto shore, Stacey's husband and kids were there.  This was the first time I didn't really start shivering when I've gotten out this year.  Of course, I didn't realize it in the water, but it was a super hot day, I could feel the heat on the rocks and started to feel the warmth (almost enough to jump back in the Lake)  
I felt good!  Not too sore, not tired.

Colleen sent me the official report she submits to SSO, it details where I swam, my lap times (all fairly consistent), total time just under the 6 hours, what and how often I ate, she said my breaks were good and quick, she said the water temp averaged 68F (temperature was not a problem), she said my stroke rate was between 60-64 strokes per minute and never dropped below 60 (good), and she said I finished feeling good and in good spirits (oh ya!).  But the key last line is the most exciting!!!: "Melanie was strong throughout and in my opinion ready for the Lake."
  
Special mention goes to Dave (my coach) and Sandra Judd who gave birth to their 2nd son at 4am that morning!  (A good sign, even though it meant Dave couldn't be there for the trial swim)

Captain Colleen Shields

I also want to say a few words about Colleen Shields, the SSO official assigned to me.  I 1st met Colleen at Nationals this year, where we talked briefly.  Since, she has joined LOST and been out a fair bit which has been a great opportunity for Bill and I to chat with her.  She is very down to earth and helpful.  She crossed the Lake in 1990 when she was 38 (the same age as I am now), which at the time gave her the title of oldest woman to cross the Lake!  She has a long list of swimming achievements from sprinting including Olympic trials in 1976 to marathon swims including the 1st person to cross from Tobermory to Manatoulin Island in Lake Huron where locals dubbed her Queen of the Chichimaun.  Thanks Colleen!  and Good Luck next year, when Colleen plans to attempt another Lake Ontario crossing to regain the oldest woman title in honour of her 60th year!  Amazing!!    

Don't Fear Fear.

The article was in the Toronto Star today about my Lake Ontario crossing: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1025752--oakville-swimmer-to-attempt-crossing-lake-ontario

I think it was a good write-up!  And think it is great that they are doing a piece on Lake Ontario and am honoured to be a part of it.  (It just missed the link to my giving page to make donations to Lake Ontario Waterkeeper http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/11261 .) 

Interestingly I got an email about the article from someone saying they were alarmed by my statement “My greatest fear with this is letting people down,” Price says. “I’m not going to necessarily make it across. But even if I don’t make it, I will be proud of myself for continuing to work for this". 
As they felt with this attitude I was bound to fail... it was a thoughtful email in that they were telling me to replace negative thoughts with positive etc., but I felt I needed to reply to further explain the quote with the following:

Thanks for your interest and your positive thoughts

But I disagree with you, about my attitude making me bound to fail, and that fear will conquer...the quote is some what out of context, in that, next, I think I said "there are lots of elements in open water that are out of my control".  There is even a slight chance that I may not even get to start if there are thunder storms on the days I have picked to cross.  I know one fellow who had his window for crossing the English Channel come and go with him not having an opportunity to even start because of conditions, and another who didn't make it because he took his start on the last day of his window even though it was an unfavourable day (neither of these are failures).

My fear is of letting people down if something happens out of my control that forces me to abandon the attempt, because lots of people have supported me, made donations etc, and some may not understand the nature of open water swimming... 

The Lake has many variables, rough days, cold days, currents etc...  I am in the lake often and almost every time I am learning something new about the lake and about myself.  This means when/if I am faced with an obstacle on my crossing day, I most likely have experienced it before and can draw on how I handled it before, this is the positive way to accept fears...  A challenge without fear, in my opinion wouldn't be a challenge...

I was afraid before my first Ironman triathlon, I think it is quite a normal emotion before a new / big challenge, but I had one of my best races that day.

Failing is when one lets fear stop them from even trying... One of my favourite quotes is from "Gold in the Water" by PH Mullen about a group of swimmers trying to make the US Olympic swim team:

To make this is going to be so sweet, to fail will be disappointing. Either way, it is going to be painful, but the experience of a lifetime, and life will go on. But those who strive, those who leave nothing on the table, those who will take the risk, will all be winners.  Life is truly sweeter for those who truly live it. The world belongs, and will always belong, to the people who participate. Don't stand on the outside, take a risk, you might fail, but you will understand the beauty of each breath of life. So don’t feel sorry for those who fail, feel sorry for the majority that never participate. They’ll just never understand, let alone feel, all that life can and should be.

I hope you continue to follow my adventure http://melaniepriceadventures.blogspot.com/ and don't worry I have many positive thoughts (I was specifically asked by the interviewer about my biggest fear) and a very positive, supportive crew, and I always have a great time together with my family and crew!

Cheers,

Melanie Price

Toronto Star doing a series on Lake Ontario

The Toronto Star came out to the LOST swim Saturday to get some pictures of me for a mini-profile they plan to do with me as a Lake Ontario swimmer, as part of a larger series on Lake Ontario!

The photographer was pretty cool, getting right in the Lake past his waist to capture some shots.
It's kind of exciting for me but also a little odd, the limelight is not where I'd choose to be... but hope that I can help raise awareness about Lake O through this piece!!

Check out this article just published by Toronto Star, a real eye-opener, maybe: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1022104

And a gentle reminder to make a donation to Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, mentioned in the article, and whom I am raising funds for through my swim, at http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/11261

Thanks,
Melanie Price

Wetsuit raffle - get your tickets!

This is your chance to find out about the fun in open water swimming:
Xterra has donated a Volt wetsuit (value $200) in support of my swim and cause, which will be raffled off.  (see their website for details about the Volt wetsuit at http://www.xterrawetsuits.com/ )
Tickets are for sale at:
$5/ticket
or
5 tickets for $20 (plus get a free "help put the Great back in the Lake" swim cap (value $5))
Draw will be made at the finish* of Melanie's Lake Ontario Crossing (tentatively Aug 12, 2011).
Winner will be contacted by email or telephone (attendance at the draw is not required)...
I'd love for this to get another person into open water swimming or into Lake Ontario as I believe the more recreational use out of our water-holes increases the amount we care about them.  If you already have a wetsuit, think about someone you could share your love of open water swimming with...
Note: The winner will be given a code to use to get their "free" wetsuit from Xterra!
GOOD LUCK!
Melanie

* in the case that the crossing cannot be completed, the draw will be as soon as possible after withdrawal from the water



Me in my Volt wetsuit at Syracuse 70.3



swimmers' itch

So apparently, I've been bitten by swimmers' itch.  And unfortunately this is not me itching to get swimming.  It's a harmless parasite that is in small lakes (Gullivers not Lake Ontario) this time of year, that burrows into the skin and dies! Nice! The body react with red itchy inflammation spots and I am literally covered.
So just thought I'd share one of the joys from this adventure to go along with my funny tan (back half tanned; front half white) and great rough skin chaffing scars...
Just so you know and still talk to me when you see me, it's not contagious!  But I hope itching to get swimming is!
:) Mel

Oh Canada!!

What a great Canada Day weekend!  Sunny and beautiful!  This was the 1st weekend in awhile were I didn't feel overloaded with things that needed to be done.

We started Canada Day celebrations Thursday night at friends' Mimi and Ed's, where I spent some time in their little pool with Dahlia, as people laughed that I was "training" for Lake O.  Dahlia also had a blast on the trampoline (okay I did too)  It was nice to socialize and for Cadence to spend time with Hana (her friend from when she was in daycare and the source behind how we became friends with Mimi and Ed (Hana's parents)).  And the boys (Bill and Ed) were all grins and giddy putting on a fabulous fireworks display!!

Friday, unfortunately Bill had to work, but the girls and I got some things done around home, including washing the car (more water fun).  Then when Bill got home, we headed to the Lake for a swim.  It was a wonderful 70F, and beautifully clear.  I appreciated having Bill kayaking by me as there was a bit of boat traffic, which sometimes seemed to take awhile for them to even see him, but regardless I loved seeing people enjoy the Lake!  When we came back into shore, there was a group of tourist, asking us many questions: how shallow it was, was it okay to swim, how long had I been swimming, etc.  And then a bunch of them went in for a dip too.  They thought Bill was a lifeguard and a few asked to sit in the kayak.  I have to tell you their excitement about the Lake and us swimming and kayaking was neat and infectious, it really made me excited about what I am trying to do.  Part of swimming Lake Ontario is that it is right here in my own back yard and it is something I have grown to love and want others to experience and care about and this little contact with these tourist made me proud to be Canadian and proud of our great Lake!

So, back at home after, we had an email from friends training for Ironman Canada, who went to go swimming in Lake Ontario out in Oakville that morning and couldn't do it because it was so freezing!  Seemed odd that just later the same day (but off of Hamilton's shore) it could be so perfect for swimming...  

Saturday morning was the regular LOST swim, and we weren't really sure what to expect for temperature, but I was being positive and didn't bring my wetsuit.  Bill and I went early to get a little extra in... I put my feet in and said "oh no, want to go up the creek", it was too cold (below 50F) especially without a wetsuit and I wanted more than the few minutes I may have been able to stand, so I swam in the creek, up and then down, the cold from the Lake had travelled further up the creek then the previous time I had swum there, so it was great mentally to know and force myself to go back to the cold each lap.  Then Chris and Darren joined me in the creek and then the next lap, Bill went to go greet the LOST group and I swam off on my next "lap" by myself (Chris and Darren went further up the creek, apparently as far as they could go)... on my return back down, I was rewarded with a splendid vision:  Bill in the kayak and all these swimmers behind him (37 swimmers, another LOST record), how I wished I had a camera...  but here are a few pictures Bill captured from the kayak:

So Sunday, what to do for my swim?  We decided to try the Lake, along Hamilton shore again, but this time with the wetsuit in tow just in case... and it wasn't needed!  Sweet!  It was 70F again, I got a good 3.5 hour swim in, and really enjoyed it,,, I could just picture myself keep going and going.  One lesson learned: the legs can get sunburnt under the water too!

This mysterious Lake we have, Oh how I love her!  Although she can make it hard to train for!!; being part of the elements, her variableness, it's all part of what I love!

Being out in nature, in the Lake, was a Great part of my Canada Day weekend!  Hope yours was as enjoyable!
Melanie xoxo


picture courtesy of Tyler Shane - Lake Ontario from his boat