A day at the lake and a 1100 meter swim

Today was a hot one so I loaded up the kids and we headed to Greenbriar State Park which is a few miles the other side of Myersville. It was beyond gorgeous, like stunning. The weather was perfect, hot but with a gentle breeze. Because school is still in session, the beach was practically deserted...I want to try to make it there at least twice a week until school lets out.

[Word to the wise...the park almost always fills to capacity on Summer weekends so either arrive early or have a Plan B in case you can't get in. During the week, arrive early to stake your claim because daycares and camps arrive at or just after lunch with busloads of barely-supervised kids.]

There is no lifeguard on duty until the summer so I dragged Jake along to help keep an eye on the littles. Not that he minded...stay home and work around the house or hang out at the beach all day. hmmmmm....that's a tough one, Mom. Can I think about it? ha!ha!

Yep, that's my baby

The kids happily splashed around while I swam laps. There was another woman swimming- quite well actually - and I asked her if she knew the length of the swim area. 520 feet so 5 laps is about a mile. I was feeling pretty smug about my swim until I realized 5 LAPS is not 5 LENGTHS.

So in all I swam 7 lengths which turns out to be about 1100 meters. Don't get all amazed or anything...I did it SLOWLY and I did 4 lengths, ate lunch, played with the kids and then did 3 more. I also alternated between freestyle, breast and side stroke.

3 out of 4 look normal...success!

Though, I am pretty proud of myself because I realized that I haven't swum laps since high school (that would be more than 20 years ago!!). Sure I've gone swimming and messed around at the pool and beach, but I haven't used swimming as exercise in a very long time. That might explain why my arms are a little sore this evening??

Being the big dork that I am, I spent some time yesterday watching a handful of YouTube videos on proper freestyle form and tried to mimic that. I forgot to buy goggles, but I don't mind water in my eyes. I do, however, mind having water in my ears and my fashionable headwear did not keep the water out. I think I'll have to get over it and move on though.

I chose a bright orange cap so I would be easy to spot in case I start to drown. hahaha!

I also can't seem to swim above water with my face in the water. I can swim under water just fine. I kept getting water up my nose while trying to freestyle with my face in the water. I think it will come with practice though.

I do feel more confident about being able to complete a sprint Tri without dying. I was really worried about the swim [300 M], but I think even at this point I could complete it and still have enough gas in the tank to bike [10 miles] and run [well, I'd have to walk at this point but it's a 5K so I could do it].

Fun day! And I did something challenging and new so I count it a successful day, too!