off to...

Lake Harriet 2009

That's Me, the Brazilian Kid (Matheus) and a new guy (Brian?).  It was a gorgeous day, and I came in 12th going just over 46 minutes (last year I went 51 minutes and got 7th.  The place is less important than the time).  The other two got 5th and 6th, going three minutes faster than me.  And Matheus won his age group!  I lost the two of them just after the first buoy and couldn't reel them in.  Liz and Chris cheered us on around the lake (at least I think they did), and then we all went out for breakfast.

There's nothing better than an exhausted day after swimming...Next up: Lake Manitou Monster Swim in July! 

Open Water Season

The summer open water season ends today.  I still have the Burrito Union 10-hour triathlon race in September, but that one's just for fun.  Here are my results; next year I go faster and I finally break that 2-hour mark in the 5-mile swim. 

Lake Harriet Two Mile (first time)
51:24
First in age group, 7th overall (guessing this was longer than two miles)

Minnetonka Challenge (third time; race shortened from 5 to ~4 miles; escorted by Paul and Kyle)
1:34.07
Tied for second in age group (Under 49) in an exciting sprint finish; and 5th overall

Perch Lake Two Mil (first time)
41:53
First in age group, second overall (guessing this was shorter than two miles)

Today's race (the Perch Lake Swim) was gorgeous, and as I rounded the 4th of 6 buoys on my final lap, I had to remind myself to enjoy it.  It's going to be a long winter in the pool.

Quetico Moment #3: Untouchable

January Meet

Not sure when I'll race again. There's a meet in Feb., but I was planning on resting my shoulder for a bit. We'll see if that actually happens. A month and a half since the last meet, and I set personal bests in all my races:

Meet Times: 2007-8

Event	12.2.2007	1.20.2008
100 Free	53.85	52.24
200 Free	1:58.02	1:56.59
500 Free	5:39.02	5:27.42
200 IM	2:15.29	2:11.77

Quetico Moment #1: Swimming the Man Chain

This summer, late in our eleven day trip, when Chris and I chose to traverse the Man Chain (the lakes This Man, That Man, Other Man, and No Man), I decided I was going to swim one. Why not? I'd portaged my speedo many rods, it was 9 a.m., and it was warm without a whisper of wind. Halfway through, we passed a campsite, and my traversion was officially witnessed by a group of men and their dog. Re-energized, I dove under the canoe and out into deeper, colder water. Utah, Chris's yellow lab, kept good tabs on me. Fifteen minutes later, as my limbs started to get sluggishly numb from the frigid lake, I pulled myself out onto a large rock. Sun-drenched and smiling, muscles taut and shivering, I waited for Chris and Utah to retrieve me.