Swim Bits ...

We had a very nice team banquet last night — it is a privilege to have such teammates — and good to have the National Championship banner displayed! Special thanks to Lynne for the nice shout-out. And also on the up side, it rained during the banquet not immediately afterwards, so I didn't rue my shoe choice. Thanks also to Fiona for the lift!

During the day I managed to pick up the Aquasphere Seal Mask ordered online from the Running Room (and sent to their Slater Street store), so that will make me much less antsy! Also, Fiona had picked up a pair of goggles in Lake Placid during their last trip which also seem to fit — so on the next trip down she's offered to pick me up a pair. This would leave me with goggle CHOICES! How cool is that?

Summer schedule at the local pool has begun, and as longtime readers know, it takes me a bit to adjust. The nice thing is there are some longer blocks of evening lane swims — the sad thing is my quiet afternoon swims will be a thing of the past until September! Feel free to enlarge the schedule below with a click.

Monday Miscellany

I tell you, if I were a Floridian, I would definitely be doing this one! What a riot!

Fiona took some snapshots on Saturday morning before we got underway, and I thought I'd post this one, because you get a little view of the lake, and Jeff (of the duel to the finish) and I are standing beside each other (far left in yellow caps). I definitely have the "why am I here?" look on my face! Click away for a better view.



In other news, apparently the hospital's MRI department returned my requisition to Dr. Chow's office saying they couldn't reach me (at the same number Dr. Chow's office reached me at, I'll note). So back in the queue I go. I am tempted now to have a gigantic fit of pique. Or maybe I'll just go get my new goggles ...

Sunday Snippets

Well, the last of this morning's cookie batch is out the oven, so that's done before the sun breaks through the clouds and things here heat up. We should enjoy it while we can, because there is rain in the forecast for the next four days.

Also this morning The Boarder and I were pleased to see one of our robins has discovered the "bird bath" out back. It's not really deep enough for a robin to bathe in, but it's good for drinking from!

On the running front, Mr. Sutcliffe has a nice piece this weekend — well worth a read!

Friday I missed a call from Dr. Chow's office. Aside: he got a little press this weekend himself. I figure it was about an MRI appointment, so that would be good!

It's clearly time for me to get on with the day, as The Boarder is having a nap ...

Nice Leisurely 2K ...

Except for that last bit!

I had decided going into it this would be a nice easy training swim, and that's pretty much what it was. Had I been racing I might have been a bit cranky about my goggles filling up with water repeatedly in the first loop (and stopping to empty them so I didn't lose a contact), but I had intended to use the first loop as warm-up anyway, so it didn't worry me at all.

In fact if I had written it on the board at a practice, it would have read 2,000 metres build. At the end of loop 2, Jeff M and I touched at the same time. My goggles were behaving much better (I really don't want that strap breaking, so I'm ginger with them) so I said to him, "Let's go!" And off we went. Pretty much stroke for stroke building to a sprint to the rope to finish it up. I don't mind being bested, but I'm not going to just let someone beat me. Duane clearly enjoyed our finish, as his response was, "Animals!! Both of you!!" Final time for the two of us — :36:36.

It was nice to see Jason out this morning — I hope he enjoyed his first pond swim with us.

Many thanks to the lifeguards & volunteers for making it possible!

Give a Hoot!

What a difference this week has made — the water at Meech was absolutely glorious last night!! And the team was out in force to enjoy it. While the thunderstorms held off till late last night, they are in the forecast for today so may bring a cooling trend.

Tomorrow morning we'll be at the pond bright and early for the 2 kilometre swim. As my back is still being odd, my plan is to go nice and easy like a training swim. Even still, I'm sure I'll beat my PW from last year!

It's been a while since I brought you a fantasy handbag, but this one from Judith Leiber truly speaks to me. If you have deep enough pockets, you can find it (and other views of it) at Net-a-Porter (the picture credit also belongs there!)

Topical!

Now that summer has truly arrived* and The Boarder is spending as much time as possible flaked out in front of the screen door — please do NOT ask me why he won't go down to the nice cool basement to sleep! — here's a good link about sun protection for swimmers.

I have some muffins in the oven now, because the sun is not yet out and at least there are breezes (and it's not really going to be a cooler day till Monday). I had seriously hoped not to put the window unit in for a bit, I'm thinking if I want to sleep tonight it will have to be done!

Let's hope thunder doesn't put a stop to an open water swim at Meech tonight!

* We're to hit a real high of 32°C with a humidex of 40°C (104°F) today.

It Kinda Blows Better Now ...

In an odd bit of news, after a day running on high speed, I tried one of the exhaust/intake sliders again — lo! and behold! it worked. So I've got that going for me.

I managed to find an inexpensive pair of sunnies that will fit the bill while I decide on a more permanent solution. And I do like faux tortoiseshell.

And I've fallen in love with a Stuart Weitzman shoe called Bamboree, but I can't find it online to show it to you. However, I can tell you it is summery, comfortable and on sale ... I wonder if would go with whatever I might be wearing to the team banquet Monday night. Oddly Monday's temperature is expected to drop a fair bit ... thus confusing the what not to wear issue.

Summer's Here!

The heat is on! Hopefully the humidifier will be on a lower setting today, though. The pond is definitely going to be warmer this week! In this weather hydration becomes more important than ever. Here's a little bit on sports drinks from the Globe & Mail. It was warm enough that I had no desire to get into the hot tub last night and raise my core temperature, I'll tell you!

Yesterday I posted this photo of The Boarder on Facebook, but I thought I'd share it here, too — the image quality (and ability to enlarge) is significantly better here at OTDE. You'll note his claws are out — I didn't realize at the time the great appeal of the wiggling wrist strap on the new little camera. I was lying on my belly on the floor to get this shot. The strap has now been christened, as it was captured and chewed in short order!



As usual, a click will get you closer!

It (Sorta) Blows!

I came out the front door yesterday to find Momma Groundhog on my front step eating my milkweed!! While she hid under a car, we had a somewhat one-sided conversation about how this does nothing to encourage my monarchs! In fact, she could well be eating them! However, she is clearly still nursing, so I didn't press the matter. At least she is not fond of the Centaurea persica (Persian coneflower) ...



The Boarder was suspicious of the window fan that appeared yesterday in the bedroom window — although it has been my favourite fan for years, I fear it must be retired. It blows, but only out! The exhaust function feels fine, but neither intake setting engages a fan. I like to use a fan as long as possible before making the switch to the window air conditioner.

And, on a completely different note, if anyone feels the need of some summer sale merchandise, The Gap's summer sale starts today.

A Little Loopier ...

What a difference a week makes! The pond was significantly warmer this morning — and good for another loop. Why, you could pretty much walk right in without missing a step! The swim would have been a little nicer had I not snapped my goggle strap just before getting underway, though. Hours later, I'm still doing a raccoon imitation — I had my competition goggles in my bag, but they are not ideal for swimming 2 kilometres. They did, however, keep the water out, so I still have the two contacts I started with! There's always an up side, right? I would have been some unhappy if I'd been spectating!

By next week, I expect there will be a lot fewer folks with wetsuits, and I'll bet the water will be into the seventies. Nice and warm for our official 2K swim. The long range forecast is for a chance of thundershowers (not deep fog!), but we'll hope for no lightning first thing in the morning.

There have been a lot more fish sightings this year — they were out in numbers this morning. Also at the roadside today: 3 deer (one sighting was a doe with a fawn), our Canada goose family (the goslings are still yellowish, but looking much more like geese), a great blue heron, and, of course, the odd rodent!

Off Seven Mile Beach the Flowers Sea Swim is underway (Go Jenny!)— I'm listening to Cayrock 96.5 as four Cayman radio station are providing updates (the lead swimmer has now passed the halfway point with some 750 people behind them!).

After the Rains ...

Clicking for a closer look is well worth it. There's an opalescent quality to this fly's wings reminiscent of a rainbow!



Every once in a while, Blogger confounds me. This is a horizontal photo. But you get the picture. If the little camera can capture water droplets like this, it is probably a keeper! It, too, is worthy of clicking.

Thursday Tidbits ...

The Boarder is currently supervising the activities of one of our robins in the back forty. From this side of the screen. The weather has returned to overcast and cooler — worthy of napping. I expect his afternoon activities will include something like this*.



Last evening the three movieteers saw UP! Squirrel! It rated a very big thumbs up from each of us. The Pixar people provide fabulous animation, and particularly delightful for me was the voice of Christopher Plummer as Charles Muntz. Also, it was the first time I have seen a film wearing distance contacts, and that, too was a treat! The visual acuity they provide is startling good compared to my glasses.

* Testing a point and shoot camera. Note the catnip leaf from harvest number two completed earlier this week.

Tuesday Bits ...

Catnip harvest number two was completed this morning (with The Boarder's stamp of approval). Not as impressive as the first, but there are now many small plants coming up that can be pinched out. Our old pal George used to tend to this matter, but then he was allowed to go outside!

No more monarch activity, but the garden progresses. I see I completely lost that nice coneflower from last year, so I will have to replace it. The malva have started to flower, and the lone Allium christophii left is in bloom. Note to self: add a number of these bulbs this fall.



And on a completely different note, Steve in a Speedo is the only person who has been able to make me feel like I live in Toronto! If you live in the US of A and would like to try to win a pair of runners, go here and leave some comment love!

Hosed!

I tried to install the hose a while ago, but was (to borrow a word) thwarted by broken fittings. Further difficulties ensued. I have now replaced the hose. And apparently just in the nick of time. Although really, hoses shouldn't be this difficult! You mightn't believe this — but it feels like Summer has Arrived! Why, by next Saturday they are suggesting it will be 76°F (25°C), but have rate a humidex rating of 96°F (36°C)! Charming. At least that ought to heat up the pond!

I spent some quality time with Tipper this weekend — that put The Boarder's nose distinctly out of joint! He does not mind if I fraternize with Louis the dog, but other cats are a different story entirely. As it happens, I also fraternized with Louis the dog and his people. And I met Constable Alex, Fiona & Bruce's daughter here visiting from BC. And I realized I have to take some camera phone pictures of The Boarder. After all, I do have Hoodles & George on there ...

Only A Little Loopy!

Yup. It's true! A number of us arrived at the pond this morning (I counted four of us without wetsuits) for the inaugural open water practice of the season. It was brisk at Meech Lake — getting in was no picnic! — but swimmable. My best guess on water temperature would be somewhere between 55°F and 60°F. But if the fishes we saw can do it (and we did see fishes today)... why not us? I did two loops around the island from Blanchet with vastly improved visibility over last year — hurrah for distance contacts! In fact, I didn't see anyone heading out for loop number three ... but with some warmer days ahead for this week, perhaps O'Brien will be more hospitable by Thursday. Also sighted while driving through the park, a goose family, squirrels, chipmunks, a deer, and some forest tent caterpillars (those met their demise).

I spent some quality time with my ole pal Dr. Chow on Thursday afternoon — he ordered some imaging and gave me a new medication to try. So I've got that goin' for me, too.

Bobs! Bits!

Instead of taking in a film last night, one of the movieteers and I had a nice pubby dinner out, followed by a little window shopping (bags and cameras). So that was fun!

In other news, the glowing orb has again been sighted. I am worried that it has done nothing to warm the pond this week, though. In fact, it is bordering on a little steamy outside right now. The Boarder is enjoying a fully open sliding door at the moment, although he will have to suffice with a crack when I go out. But sadly, the forecast for the next three days is ... wait for it ... cloudy with showers! Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!

The destruction on Preston Street and the rerouted number 3 bus mean that I will be taking a convoluted route to see my ole pal Dr. Chow today. The options are to go downtown, or to Bronson to link up with the 85 bus. And if I were to go downtown, I could poke my face in at Holts and see if there are any Clinique bonuses left ...

Post-Season Navel Gazing (Part 2)

Events: Breaststroke sprints (50 & 100 metre)

Seasonal summary in a word: Stable. Maybe stable +.

General assessment: I think I can be a faster breaststroker, but I didn't put many eggs in that basket this year. In fact, I didn't put any in. The first full 100 I swam all season was at Provincials.

The case: I improved my 50 by a second at Provincials to :42.83, my 100 was within .04 of my GUBT (1:33.56) at Nationals (1:33.60). I'm in lane 2 here, second from the top of the screen. Click on the HD option for a slightly better look.

So where's the rub? In races I had consistent right foot toe cramps off the start. I added the allowable dolphin kick (with the pullout) this season, and it may not be the best plan for me. Good plantarflexion in the dolphin followed by dorsiflexion for the whip seems to make the first 25 problematic. I can then spend part of the first turn stretching the toe on push-off and it's good. It's not conducive to swimming all out.

In the future: I think I can devote a little more time to breaststroke training, but I don't think it's the highest priority. Oh, I'd like to be faster, don't get me wrong, but given a choice between breaststroke and fly ...

The upshot: Adding more whip kick to sessions at Plant might yield some results, and dropping the dolphin kick off the start could reduce the cramping and the fear factor.

Tuesday Tidbits

On the weather watch, or more accurately pond-swimming watch, it is cool and rainy today, with an expected high of 14°C or 57°F. Bleah.

On the up side, we now have an interprovincial bike share pilot project on the go — but I do note that the TV report pointed out there are two locations where helmets can be accessed, one on each side of the river.

Also in bloom in the garden is the lovely Max Frei hardy geranium, but this photo was taken on the weekend. Click to enlarge.

'Tis the Season ...

Of Long Pants??? C'mon sunshine, help us out! Because really, the pond cannot be warming up apace! And we have a 2K swim in 19 days ...

Well, at least there are still some blooms left on the little lilac!

Stalking ...

She's still skittish, but was still here yesterday! Soon it will be time to start stalking today ...

As usual, a click or two is worthhwile.

In The Garden ...

The Streak is now officially 4 days of sun! And it's not just the people that are taking advantage of it ...



This lady is the first monarch we've seen this summer — she was a bit skittish so I kept my distance! She stayed in the vicinity all afternoon.



Clicking will get you closer, though!

Sunny Days!

My new NYC Swim bag (thanks Jenny!) went for a spin in a hot red BMW convertible yesterday. Fiona picked me up and took me to practice. That too was much appreciated.

In breaking news, the sun is actually out for the third day in a row! I stalked these Allium siculum (Nectaroscordum siculum) with the camera just a short while ago. A click will get you closer.

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Thursday Tidbits ...

Last night X-men Origins: Wolverine rounded out the trinity of action films I've seen of late. The three movieteers were all carrying new bags (!), but didn't have a great opportunity to thoroughly admire each others' purchases.

The sun yesterday provided an opportunity for the newest generation of freshly weaned groundhogs to venture out of their dens and explore the outside world. They really are quite charming little creatures when they're not chowing down on your garden!

Unsurprisingly, open water training has been postponed by at least a week — this cool spring means the pond is just not warm enough yet! However, The Boarder once again profited from an open sliding glass door in the afternoon — and that was much to his liking! Let's just hope that the warming trend continues ...

And for those of you in need of some bling, I would suggest you poke your face in at Birks early in the week. It seems to me we are nearing Summer Sale Season.

Bits & Bobs!

What a terrific thing Masters Swimming Canada is in the process of doing! All swims from Nationals were captured on video, and are currently being uploaded to YouTube! This is a massive project, and I'm sure swimmers across the country will really appreciate it. So, bearing in mind that I'm not really a freestyler, here's my 100 free. For best results, click on the HD button. I'm in the third lane from the top (and so you know, I got out of the water knowing I had misjudged every turn, especially the second). I'll be sure to put more swims up as they become available.

Thanks to a lift from Fiona yesterday (hurrah for heated seats!) I got to practice so today will be my off day, and a chance for yet another action movie — Wolverine! This afternoon I will again head off to see KD, in an attempt to sort my back post-Nationals. There's always an up side though — I got out of thumb kick drill last night!

As you've heard, weatherwise this has been an unhappy May. The local newspaper concurs!

And foor those interested in summer dresses (assuming summer will actually come!), GAP Canada has a three day only 25% off sale starting June 5th. Predictions are, of course, that July and August will be hotter than usual ...

Yeesh ...

The long range forecast calls for a risk of frost next Monday. I can't stand it!!! The Boarder has once again retired to my bed, so I have seized the opportunity to get his downstairs fleece washed while he naps. He is generally a well adjusted cat, but he takes exception to fleece removal, even for the briefest of periods!

In iguana news, over where it's 29°C and partly cloudy (but with 75% humidity) the blues have begun nesting early. I wonder if they know something people don't?

Lane swim was cut a little short last night due to the arrival of the paramedics (although happily the situation was not dire), so no hot tub dunk or cool down. Curiously another set of paramedics had paid a visit to the Good Companions in the afternoon while I was teaching (again, the situation was not dire).

And, for anyone who just happens to be in New York tomorrow, Buzz Aldrin will be at the Omega Boutique — it's the 40th anniversary of the moon watch! (For more information, here's a post from Luxist.)

Monday Miscellany ...

So ... at least I don't live in Sudbury/North Bay where it snowed yesterday! But the weather is not conducive to warming up the pond, I'll tell you!!! Not only is it June 1 and still long pants weather — the furnace came on this morning as it was 4°C. The Boarder has returned to my bed for his morning nap.

May numbers in the pool were good — 200 metres short of 38,000. My total since the beginning of September is a little over 316,000. The pool season navel gazing will continue randomly over the next couple of weeks.

The first garbage pickup of the day hauled off the 6 bags of lawn and garden waste I managed to fill up in short bursts this weekend. I'm still not anxious to vacuum, but I'll see KD again on Wednesday, and we'll continue working the kinks out!

Oh — and this cycling bit was in the paper this weekend — it may be of interest to local riders.

Finally, Terminator Salvation gets a thumbs up from me!