Day 6/ Swim # 2 5:00pm : Iniscara Lake
You guessed it the wind didn’t let up during the day, force 4 winds are firing with both barrels, we arrive to the Lake to see big waves and an epidemic of white caps ( white horses in the USA). ” Never seen waves on a lake this big”, someone shouts over the roar of the wind, ‘ are we really going to do this?”, another swimmer chimes in, ” how about a plunge and out”, someone else adds, but Ned stands tall with a wide mouthed smile, we wait until 5:00 for any stragglers then in. We huddle under a big tree to gain some relief from the teaming rain and biting wind, we all look like penguins huddled together in the Antarctic, I find someone bigger than me and huddle by them.
” Lets go”, announces Ned, we all sprint off to strip down and hit the slipway, it feels creepy out, like the scene from some spooky haunted house movie, I wait by the waters edge then I’m in, the water feels warm compared to the 50 degree Fahrenheit air and wind chill, I dive my head under so I can warm my head, the water temperature 57 degrees fahrenheit.
The waves challenge me, I respond by gritting my teeth and attacking, my body soon replies with a cozy warm feel in my belly, I fight on, memories of the strong head winds and rough waters flood back from the ” In Search Of Memphre” swim, I feel comfort in knowing that I have experienced a similar battle before, I feel strong, I glance to my left Ned is driving through the waves, I sense he likes them too, I feel cozy and safe from the storm tucked up in the lake, I feel like I am under the cozy covers of the bed.
We swim and swim, the end of the lake takes much longer to reach today, once there Ned pulls up and looks for swim caps, ” there’s Andrew down there, lets go pay him a visit”, Ned shouts, we turn and thunder down the lake, wind at our tail, an assisted swim, what fun.
We reach Andrew, check in and all swim back down the Lake heading for the slipway, we swim and swim, then Ned pulls up, ” back up the lake”, my heart sinks for a moment, ” so close to the slipway”, I think, the thought passes quickly, I turn and once more embrace the fun of battling the Lake, finally we make it back up to the pump house at the end, turn and sprint home, this time we reach the slipway and land, I pause in the water for a bit, “going to be wicked getting out”, I think, I know that as soon as I leave the water the wind chill and air temperature will plummet my body temperature, I savour the 57 degree water for just a few more seconds and then dash for the car.
A quick change and we are heading home, and what of tomorrow, more wild weather forcing another reschedule? You guessed it, I get to come back to the lake one more time and I am looking forward to it already.
How long was tonight’s swim? 1.5 Hours
What was the water temperature? 57 degrees Fahrenheit
Closing Thought:
Your biggest hindrance today can be your biggest helper in the future