Swim Bit!

What fun we had at lane swim last night! 3 Technosport gals plus lane swim buddies Chris & Jason, and a couple of other swimmers who came along for part of our two main sets!

♦ 1000 warmup (I did a 200 to 50, 50 to 200 pyramid)
♦ 10 x 100 free LSD pace on 1:50
♦ 10 x 50 choice (I did fly up free back) on 1:15
♦ 50-100-150-200 free, last person touches, 200 was easy
♦ chat in the hot tub!

For those of you following my OCD mileage missives, I'm at 57,250 for the month. Can I get in 2,750 today? Doubtful. But, I'll be close enough to 60,000 for the month to please me. And for those not following them, there's only a month of this left!

Fiona and I have an open-ended plan to get out to the pond whatever evenings we can this week (but not Friday, as it is packet pick-up for Saturday's swim). The forecast is for sunny days ahead, so that at least, is promising!

In other news, today I am going to try to squish many errands in! Bank, post office, drug store, phone battery, and ... my annual physical. There's always something ... But before I go, I have to let my toenails dry!

Double Dipping!

That's the ticket for salvaging an otherwise lacklustre training week! 4,700 in two swims yesterday got me to 15.5 kilometres last week, and 456.1 for the year with two swims left. So that's better than expected! And right now that squeaks me into the August top 30 tracking their mileage at Masters Swimming Canada's Million Metre Challenge. Of course, lots of masters swimmers aren't training much in August, and many don't log their mileage with the program but still, I'll take it!

Mark Sutcliffe writes today about the upcoming Army Run(s). There is a full story on Paula Stephanson's swims in this morning's paper as well. I was a little disappointed in previous coverage suggesting Vicki Keith's record had been equalled, as Vicki did the 5 lakes in two months, but to be the second person to swim all five lakes is an outstanding achievement that should not be diminished.

(Mostly) Swim Bits!

Long pants and rain shoes are the order of the day! Fiddlesticks! Fiona and I decided early this morning that a pool swim was a better choice than a pond swim today. There's an outside chance if I get it together I can hit 460,000 by the time the calendar flips, I'm at 451,400 now ...

Here's a swim bit I've been wanting to post: a former Baywatch cast member that really has game! Bonus link: A chance to think about some open water swim opportunities, and vote for your favourite!

Best of luck tomorrow to the folks at IM Lou and IM Canada. The virtual cowbell and athlete tracker will be working overtime here, guaranteed!

Friday Miscellany ...

Oh! Oh! Pick me!! Pick me!! I SO want to go!!!!

After one scheduled day off and one unscheduled, I had a short pool swim at noon yesterday and a lovely longer pond swim in the evening. Except the getting in part. Why is getting in always such a challenge? And now, to decide how to proceed over the next couple of days. I'm behind the proverbial eight ball! Also, I'm a tad congested.

In the things beautiful bag file, there's this. But it's not for me!

Swim Bit!

So, the preliminary Masters Swimming Canada points based on top twenty best times this season (1 per swimmer per event) are up. Technosport is on top (scroll down for team scores): mens, womens, and team. Here's the link for womens 50-54 short course metres.

Wednesday Miscellany ...

I'm now just over 445.5K for the year, with five days to go. So I'm exceeding my own expectations in that respect, Danielle! Except for this week to date, where I'm not. Sigh. Nothing is ever simple or easy! I am looking forward to the implementation of the fall pool schedule August 31st, as it opens up many more hours in the day for lane swimming! And long course some days at Nepean ...

For the easily confused among us, apparently OC Transpo has service level changes for "back to school" next week, then actual service changes September 6th. In particular I am alternately amused or irritated by the published Rack and Roll changes. You can't expect the number two to have a bike rack, but if it does you can use it?

The Boarder doesn't worry his pretty head over such things, but can report that as it was a sunny but cooler early morning, it most suitable for Fairly Maniacal Play. I have not thought it worth mentioning to him just yet, but the time for his s-h-o-t-s is fast approaching. Also, he has completely refuzzed the bare ring around his neck. He currently remains collar free (but microchipped).

Sometimes We Succeed ...

Sometimes it's a bit more of a struggle! I am stymied at the moment, trying to decide whether today will or won't be my day off the pool. I leapt at the opportunity to squeeze in an extra 2K pond swim with Fiona last evening — the water at Meech was nothing less than gorgeous — and deluded myself into thinking I could also pool swim at least 1,000 or 1,500 a bit later. FAIL! On the up side, Friday to Monday inclusive I have 11,800 metres in. On the down side, I log my weeks Sunday to Saturday. So while I ponder my choices:

♦ very hearty congratulations to Paula Stephanson who completed her second attempt at a Lake Michigan crossing, so can now lay claim to having crossed all five great lakes in a two month period.

♦ here for your reading pleasure, are the race reports of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar, who dueled for medals at Nationals in Kelowna.

Sunday Snippets!

♦ Mr. Sutcliffe writes about trail running technique (and conquering fears)
♦ a bike and bag combo for the fashionista
♦ The Boarder finds plain yogurt with a little granola to be an acceptable snack (who knew??)
♦ my registration is in for the 2.4 mile swim only at The Canadian Triathlon September 5th (this will be a training swim, not a race!) — we'll hope the long range forecast is a bit off, as it calls for dampness!

Update: Paula Stephanson was pulled from the Lake Michigan Friday after 8 hours, but is making a second crossing attempt today.

Tuckered Out ...

Well, my goal for this week was near but not over 15,000 metres. I had planned two swims today, but conditions at the pond were ideal so both Fiona and I went longer than expected (3,800). So now I'm at 14,100, and that's where it will stay. I think it is particularly good considering I took an extra day off on Thursday as I was still exhausted. Next week I'll be shooting for the 18,000 range, but I'm going to try something different. I will take Tuesday as my rest day, and try to swim in the morning on Wednesday. Sunday and Monday tend to be harder practices, as that's when I'm doing fly as well as free. It ratchets up the intensity of the workouts! It may be better to split the week after that.

In other news, I had a lovely dinner with Misses Emma & Margaret, their mom and grandma yesterday! Unfortunately, Bob was under the weather.

The Boarder reports that when my folks & old pals Harold & Fran dropped in today he was able to show them that cats can, in fact, be trained. His obedience demo showed command of come, sit and up. He was, of course, working for treats. Harold was a bit surprised to hear I'm allergic to cats. We also looked at my Australia & Cayman photos, and I showed them my Nationals and Provincials medals. Harold also noted, with a twinkle in his eye, how nice of them it was to make sure not just my time but my age was on each medal! The Boarder watched them drive off in the car, but all that supervising really tuckers a fellow out!

Great Lakes Swimmers!

Two swimmers of note will take on Great Lakes this weekend!

There's a nice article in today's paper about Paula Stephanson going for her fifth lake in two months, and following in Vicki Keith's footsteps.

If you can, stop by Colleen Shields' blog and wish her luck as she tries to break two Lake Ontario records — she hopes to have the fastest crossing ever, and be the oldest woman to complete the swim. Let's hope the weather and the waters go their way.

Summer's Over!

Well, perhaps not, but we're once again back to cool and rainy weather. The Boarder was napping so I started a laundry marathon. I'm also determined not to get caught out on the fall wardrobe change — there is now a growing pile of things ready to go to charity. Then, I decided since it's cooler I should bake. That then meant I had to scoot out to the store. Suddenly it's mid-afternoon, I still have muffins in the oven and sheets in the dryer!

Add to that on the way back from the store I practically had to wrestle the lead tomato away from a squirrel. Note to self: As soon as tomatoes are orange, bring them in! On the up side, I did prevail!

Obsessing About Numbers ...

Over at Meg Runs, one of the topics yesterday was concern with mileage. It is fudamental to training to plan, track, and (for most of us obsess at least) over mileage or time spent working out. Doubts creep in. Was the plan solid to begin with? Will skipping that practice be detrimental in the long term?

Particularly over the next five weeks, mileage will be my obsession. The last week will be tapering, backing off but still fussing over distance. I'm preparing to swim much farther than I've ever swum before. Now ideally, I'll be doing it with current and tidal assist, but I should be prepared to swim it as if there were none. The very best part is I'll be in the water with friends, as my wonderful teammates Gen and Fiona are also going to make the pilgrimage to New York City, and Jenny will already be there waiting and ready to go! This is an exercise in pushing longer and harder as grown-up than I have to date. Sometimes there will even be — gasp! — two swims in one day!

Today, however, is a rest day — so minus a holidaying movieteer we will head out to see a matinee of District 9!

Steamy!

Suddenly summer hit like a Mack truck. The cicadas are starting their songs before nine. Tomatoes are ripening. And the pool is steamy! Yesterday the mirrors in the locker room were hazed over. Beads of sweat covered the tiles in the bathrooms. And the name of the game in the water was to keep the core temperature low. Sadly the idea of the hot tub was unfathomable!

One of the lifeguards asked, "How can I get faster?" So we began, where we will begin again at pre-season skills and drills camp September 8, with body position and maximizing streamline off the wall.

I swear to you, every time someone asks me how to keep their butt up and their legs from dragging, they don't believe my answer. Until they try it. When I tell them they need to engage their core, they look at me like I've just stepped off Planet Ten. You think next time I should teach him how to pull without a pull buoy? Or dolphin kick off the wall?

He happily reported at the end of his swim, that he was, in fact, going faster!

Cinderella's Dark Side ...

Really. That's its cultivar name. It is nearer black in person than the camera lets on. And we're having a heat wave (almost a tropical heat wave!) — I do't think I'm delusional in thinking the tomatoes are actually changing colour! For once the droplets on a plant aren't from rain — I've had to use the hose!

I managed to save the week's yardage totals by getting a short pond swim in yesterday morning and a longer pool swim in later in the afternoon. Gee, you'd think I might be training for something! The annual total is now sitting at over 425,000 metres, with two weeks left. Technosport's home pool is now closed, so the only practices we have scheduled until mid-September are out at Meech Lake. O'Brien Beach is now closed due to a blue-green algae bloom, so we're looping it up over at Blanchet. For those of you following along at home, Blanchet is the beach pictured in my 4K report.

Ephemeropteran!

This male mayfly was shot last evening. And truly, I believe the tomatoes are trying with everything they have to ripen! As usual, clicking will get you closer.

The More Things Change ...

I spent much of last night feeling very sorry for a little black bear.

When I was very young, I was quite afraid of bears — my imagination was active — but I quickly grew to love and respect them. At the research station in the Whiteshell Provincial Park where dad worked, I had favourite bears. They got a wide berth, and the respect large wild animals deserve (we certainly took great care wild blueberry picking), but I found them wondrous. Their glossy black coats, their cleverness and surprising agility converted me to a lover of bears.

Occasionally, though, bears became a problem. I knew that it was not the fault of the bear, rather a conflict between the activities of people and bears being bears. The supply of free food found in garbages could sometimes result in a bear overcoming its fear of humans and becoming dangerous. Care was taken to try to give these bears a chance to live their lives. They would be trapped, tagged and moved. But the third time was not lucky. On the third return, the bear would be shot.

One year my favourite was a stunning creature — its black coat was tremendously shiny and it had a white blaze on its forehead. It was beautiful and awesome. And it became a problem bear. It was moved twice. I didn't know it had been killed, but its lifeless body was given to the aboriginal people that lived nearby, and I learned some hard lessons. His skin was tanned on the rock ridge, stretched on a frame, and I cried my eyes out. For days. I couldn't go up there, knowing I'd see his pelt.

Last night's bear had been near O'Brien beach before we arrived. The beach is still a popular spot, including with us, after it closes daily at 6:00. Yesterday was the busiest day of the year, I think. You had to avoid people as you crossed the beach. Wildlife officers had been there while we were swimming, took some action, and left.

At a year and a half, black bear cubs become independent. But there is still much to learn. As we were getting out of the pond the young bear was absolutely terrified by the screaming and car horns its attempt to climb the fence at the beach had inspired. It was the right thing to scare it, but how I felt for that young animal, obviously terrified, losing bladder control as it scampered up the tree as quickly as it could.

We immediately packed up and left, and reported it to a security guard locking up a gate further up the road on our way out of the park. But some people actually stood on the roadway, 8 or 10 feet from the tree the bear was in, taking pictures.

So I spent much of the evening feeling very sorry for that bear, hoping it had learned a lesson, and wondering if there's a way to inspire healthier respect for its kind in some of ours.

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot!

Finally, summer has struck. It promises to be an outstanding evening at the pond!! The Boarder is practically camped out at his back door post — although he did take a break to track and dispatch an errant ant.

The medical appointment yesterday yielded a phone call this morning with a neurology referral, so we can start looking at options other than fusing the joint in a few years. Again, three cheers for KD! Fusing L-5 may, in fact, end up being the right option, but we'll investigate other possibilities in the interim.

Also today, my enrollment was accepted into the Little Red Lighthouse Swim. It took me a lot longer than I thought it would to navigate the entry pages, but I received an email early this afternoon to say my prescribed swim was accepted (that was the 4K swim on the 8th), so the 2.4 miler at The Canadian will be a practice swim.

I've not posted enough objects of desire lately, so to borrow a line from The Manolo, the Pucci makes the smiles!

Either/Or ...

Thanks to KD, I saw a sportsmed doctor today. Well, more accurately, I saw two. One asked me about what sports I did, I told him I swim masters.

"What about running and biking?"

I told him, no, not really.

"You don't do triathlons??"

So I've come to the conclusion that either I unwittingly do a very fine triathlete imitation, or we have some education to do with respect to masters swimming!

It was a very productive visit, which is good, because it was surprisingly troublesome to come by, and I truly appreciate KD's efforts on my behalf.

Moving Targets ...

A while ago Danielle (who blogs with some other fine folks here) asked how many metres I hoped to get in from September 1/08 - August 31/09. In September I thought 360,000 would be a good number. In February I was right on track with just over 181,000 swum. But at some point in the last six months the target started shifting. 400,000 might be achievable. By the time Danielle asked I was thinking 435,000 would be excellent. After logging last night's workout, I'm just a bit shy of 421,000. So now I'm really looking forward to finding out what the final tally will be, and I'm pleased as punch that the numbers continue to climb.

On my way to teach yesterday, I had the food fortune to run into the DDP who allowed Frankie into their home. Now, I've seen Frankie over the past couple of weeks — she's come down to the garden for a little nip and attention, and she is a much slimmer cat. Yesterday I got to meet her four adorable kittens!! Their eyes are now open, their ear flaps still turned down, they are delightfully wobbly, and happy to have their chins and little tummies rubbed. There are two black, one grey tabby, and one who stayed more in the corner of the bookshelf, but I think is a bit patchy.

And before I get on with the day, kudos to L & P who came to Plant last night for a swim with Chris & I — and had their first go at butterfly! It was really exciting to see both of them finish a whole 25!! Naturally I threatened to tell Duane that they will be ready to swim 100 IM at the first club meet of the season.

The Game's Afoot!

For those curious about numbers, the answer is 1:07:36 or 1:41/100 metres. My brilliant plan for a nice long easy recovery swim yesterday was foiled by traffic. Holy smokes the pool was busy! Some fellow I'd never seen before told me I'm a natural butterflier, for what that's worth. Probably about as much as I paid for the advice.

However, a couple of my teammates who are relatively new to swimming plan to come to Plant tonight. They paid me the nicest compliment after the 400 medley relay at Nationals, saying that my swim was beautiful! And then they aked me to teach them about fly. So after our swim, Chris and I will attempt to impart some secrets of swimming. ;-)

The Boarder will be delighted to determine that I am not Tipper sitting this week! He is already quite pleased that the weather has warmed and the back door is in the open position. It was so cool in the mornings last week, he had to supervise the back forty through the glass! But the cooler weather also brought another landmark moment in his transformation from feral tomcat to confirmed house cat: he asked for (and was given) a tummy rub!!!

And believe it or not, there is more big news ... I'm going to have Breakfast Near Tiffany's!!! The plan also includes a dip in the Hudson with Jenny, and a couple of my teammates my join us, too! So let's hope for less pool traffic tonight, then distance can start ramping up in case the tides and current don't work in our favour!

Sunday Snippets!

♦ Apparently my cookies have received the Cocker Spaniel Seal of Approval — although Sadie, I don't think they're really very good for dogs.
♦ Mr. Sutcliffe's column this week is a review of the film Running the Sahara. Please be patient, the Sutcliffe link is running painfully slowly right now.
♦At the US Open, the finalists in the men's 200 IM swam it old school! Sometimes a picture truly is worth 1000 words!
♦ The Canadian has added swim only events to their schedule, so hopefully I'll get another 2.4 open water miles in — although my time will be slow as it's a long hobble to transition (plus I'll be taking a nice wide line — it's a beach start, and we know I won't be running!)
♦ Yesterday was a treat — today we have reverted to gray and likely rain. Summer may arrive Wednesday, though ...
♦ Sadly weather also meant Colleen Shields aborted her Lake Ontario crossing. Here's hoping she gives it another go!

Sixty Seven Something ...

The air was brisk, the Weather Channel said 10°C (about 50°F) here in town when I left the house. No doubt it was cooler up at the pond. Lots of people were wearing seal suits.



It wasn't foggy (hurrah!), but there was a slight mist rising from the water. You can see it on the far side of the lake.



Just for those of you following along at home, that's the island out there! Today, however, we didn't do a single loop. Beach to beach 4K. Heading out to the start line there was a twang in my right hip. Grrr. That tends to be a sign that my back isn't going to play nice, and it pretty much didn't.

However, the pond water was perfect! A very comfortable swimming temperature. My freestyle felt solid, and I went out quickly enough at the beginning not to be dodging people at all for the whole four kilometres! So that was good. Basically I swam solidly and at approximately the same pace until a few hundred metres to go, when I picked it up a knotch or two. I probably could have increased my speed much earlier, but we were sighting into the sun, and really I didn't know how far I was away.

In a bit of oddness, subjectively this year's race went by much more quickly than last, although I was a titch slower. I hobbled out of the water after touching the buoy line at :67:??, or somewhere between 1:40 and 1:42/100 metres.

So ... it's a qualifying swim for the Little Red Lighthouse under our belts! I've felt slow in the water all week (in fact I was not able to get into gear at all yesterday), so it's a reasonable effort.

Friday Miscellany ...

The Boarder has had a busy day, including several sessions of speed work, a few hours in the sunny window, and he currently finds himself in pursuit of a dipteran. He also had a very exciting visit this morning from a corvid — not a raven, mind, but the crow was within six feet of his post at the rear of the house! And in a bit of synchronicity, my brother sent this wonderful linkshortly thereafter. I, on the other hand managed only some laundry, vacuuming, baking, visiting with Tipper and a short swim.

It was a nice pond swim last night, and hopefully it will be a nice one in the morning — it's our annual 4K beach to beach swim. The forecast is sunny, but cool, possibly as low as 6°C, with light winds. So we'll hope for higher than 6 & flat water!

Thursday Miscellany ...

♦ Truly, I just can't stand it!!!!

♦ On the up side, also in today's newspaper, a look at some of the set and costume pieces from the upcoming Alice in Wonderland film.

♦ In the not as bad as the reviews suggest category, two of the three movieteers saw G-Force last night. Currently my choice in cinemas is reduced by the Summer of Destruction and bus rerouting.

♦ Also in the plus category, Zara is coming to the Rideau Centre. This promises to be fun!

♦ And I invested in Dollhouse — something new to watch while I test the fancy muscle stim KD & Dan have been instrumental in investigating and helping me test. Thanks!!! So maybe I'll go do that now ...

Bits & Bobs ...

Do you think maybe the rain's done for the day?? I guess I'd better leave an umbrella in my purse. The second this blog post went up, a severe thunderstorm warning banner crossed my weather network icon. It may even be time to invest in a new one. It is possible that the entire lifespans of many umbrellas have been drained out of them this summer alone. Although mine has at least travelled ... IMAZ, IMMoo, Australia, Quebec City, Grand Cayman, Toronto ...

On the up side of local news, if you see a really, really big crow around here, listen carefully to what it has to say. It may be calling, "Nevermore!" The Boarder hasn't seen one yet. But he'll stay vigilant.

Local wildlife had a field day last night, with a trickle down effect. Raccoons opened garbage cans, and got things started. Followed by skunks, who are interested once the bandits have had their way. This morning birds and squirrels were laying claim to the spoils! I was glad, at least, it wasn't my can.

Extra Pond Swim!

Really it was Jim's idea — Saturday morning as we came out of the lake he suggested we do an extra Meech swim this morning. He was subbing for Duane Saturday. A great way to start the holiday Monday! It wasn't quite as glassy as Saturday, but it was very fine.

Last night in the pool I recruited Jason to come along — he's going to join us for the 4K on Saturday, so it was a nice opportunity for a dip in open water with part of our gang. Although I wish I could have stayed a bit longer as Chef Vince was toasting bagels over charcoal!

But now I really have to go wash the sand off ...

Here Comes The Sun ...

At least so says the forecast! And it does seem like it's trying to peak out of the clouds ... although after today's rain the relative humidity is now close to 85%, and a thunderstorm or two this evening may also be in the cards. But the tomatoes could sure use some sunshine. Although they are somewhat less green than they were, there's no mistaking them for ripe! A click will show you what I mean.



However it was lovely yesterday, and the pond water was like glass! Everyone cross your fingers the weather will be the same next Saturday, as we don't want the chop coming at us for the 4K swim!

More Than Just A Pretty Face!

It seems, as it is likely he will stay on (our relationship now stretches over years), that The Boarder has set about earning his keep.

As I rounded the stairs this morning there it was. Dead. On its back. Four legs in the air. Still warm. I know this because shortly thereafter I scooped it up, my hand inside a plastic bag. Thankfully uneaten. Because really, while Onyx might be earning his keep he isn't interested in nice big deworming pills. So let this serve as a warning to Other Mice. George has left the building. The Boarder might look just as relaxed, but he is Not So Forgiving!