Walden2001

Outdoor Swimming Season, Summer 2002

Although the water was cool (60's), it warmed significantly in the last week of Jun. The water level is way down: at least 15" from two years ago. I started on 29 May and have had some good swims. Here are the season statistics.

Month Distance (miles) Comments

May 3.8 Starting 29 May, 64^o F water. Balked 2 weeks earlier when water was 51^o F.

June 52.5 Through 20 June, the water remained between 64 and 68^o F due to very cool weather, but it warmed into late 70s by the end of June. Best length: 11:45. Best 4 lengths: 49:19, 49:24. Mike Gates has been swimming in his penguin suit: head-to-toe wet suit with nylon undershirt and a green neoprene helmet. He looks a scream.

July 66.9 Vacation during first week, so pool swimming in Boulder, which I included. Increased to 3 miles/day on 13 Jul.

August 57.75 Taper for Boston Light Swim starting on 10 Aug. Pond water temperature in the 70's throughout the month with a high near 80^oF.

September 52.5 Swam with Celia on Sat, 31 Aug and Sun 1 Sep. On Sun, last mile of three was 23:59 (12:19, 11:40). Good swim with Victor Maldonado on 8 Sep. Water temperature going down, stemmed by hot weather on 7-10 Sep. No 4-hour swim for 22 Sep to qualify for Manhattan Island Swim on 14 Jun 2003. Swam at Winnipesaukee instead and got the itch

October 25.5 Through 5 Oct, still warm, near 70^oF all week, as low as 67^oF late in Sep but no cool nights yet. Cooling through week of 7-13 Oct down to 63^oF on 13 Oct

Total 257.9 through 13 Oct

And some great events.

Date Distance (miles) Comments

16 June 6.5 3-hour swim. Lengths: 13:05, 13:04, 13:20, 13:21, 13:35, 13:22, 13:34, 13:22, 13:41, 13:37, 13:55, 14:12, 15:13 (slightly more than two halves to make 3 hours), air 50-52^o F, water 64^o F

Sun, 14 Jul 1.5 Annual swim with daughters. Celia came home, so everybody was there. Celia and Emily went right across. Mel and I went to far beach. On the way back, Celia and I went ahead and Em stayed with Mel. So nice that they indulge me!

Sat., 20 July 8.4 4-hour swim in Walden, 5:30-9:30am, 3 drink breaks. Length times: 14:34, 14:48, 14:57, 14:01, 14:22, 14:01, 1:30 break, 14:12, 14:00, 14:14, 14:10, 1:22 break, 14:16, 14:14, 14:47, 13:59, 1:17 break, 14:11, 13:04, 7:59, 4:01:03 total. I started very slowly, then got in a groove. Mike Gates joined me at 5.5 miles for the rest of the swim. I felt good enough to push on the last full length---all this after a full week of 3 miles/day. Even though the times were slow, I kept a good pace. Fruit juice gave me a boost about 30-45 min after each break. Propose to drink 45 min before Boston Light swim starts.

Sat., 24 Aug 10 A third Boston Light Swim starting at 7:30 am and finishing at 10:49 am. A best time of 3:19 due to current assist throughout the race and little boat traffic. See the complete writeup at the new website, http://www.bostonlightswim.org/light2002.html.

Sun., 8 Sep 4 4+ miles over 2 hours with Victor Maldonado. 8 lengths from east beach into Black Lagoon and back with about 1:40 stops for drinks and MMM Goo at the east end. Times: 14:16, 14:02, 1:36(break), 14:03, 14:29, 1:43(break), 14:33, 14:20, 2:00(break), 15:19, 15:06. Last two lengths moderate-fast-slow.

Sun., 13 Oct 8.5 4-hour swim to qualify for Manhattan Island swim on 14 June 2003. Water temperature 63^o F; air temperature 55^o F. All qualifying conditions met. 17 lengths from east beach to stone steps. 5:08 to 9:12 am. Sunrise at about 6:45, so first 2 miles were in darkness. Cloudy with slight mist throughout. 2 breaks totaling 4:15 for warm tea and brownies. Times: 13:19, 13:21, 13:20, 13:10, 14:07, 13:45, 14:17, 13:55, 2:26(break), 14:31, 13:54, 14:11, 13:54, 1:47(break), 14:24, 13:55, 14:12, 14:29, 17:20(2 halves). Total 4:04:23. Fairly decent pace. Definitely tired arms at the end. Felt fine for the rest of the day.

(13 Oct 02, knight@ll.mit.edu)

Month	Distance (miles)	Comments
May	3.8	Starting 29 May, 64^o F water. Balked 2 weeks earlier when water was 51^o F.
June	52.5	Through 20 June, the water remained between 64 and 68^o F due to very cool weather, but it warmed into late 70s by the end of June. Best length: 11:45. Best 4 lengths: 49:19, 49:24. Mike Gates has been swimming in his penguin suit: head-to-toe wet suit with nylon undershirt and a green neoprene helmet. He looks a scream.
July	66.9	Vacation during first week, so pool swimming in Boulder, which I included. Increased to 3 miles/day on 13 Jul.
August	57.75	Taper for Boston Light Swim starting on 10 Aug. Pond water temperature in the 70's throughout the month with a high near 80^oF.
September	52.5	Swam with Celia on Sat, 31 Aug and Sun 1 Sep. On Sun, last mile of three was 23:59 (12:19, 11:40). Good swim with Victor Maldonado on 8 Sep. Water temperature going down, stemmed by hot weather on 7-10 Sep. No 4-hour swim for 22 Sep to qualify for Manhattan Island Swim on 14 Jun 2003. Swam at Winnipesaukee instead and got the itch
October	25.5	Through 5 Oct, still warm, near 70^oF all week, as low as 67^oF late in Sep but no cool nights yet. Cooling through week of 7-13 Oct down to 63^oF on 13 Oct
Total	257.9	through 13 Oct

Date	Distance (miles)	Comments
16 June	6.5	3-hour swim. Lengths: 13:05, 13:04, 13:20, 13:21, 13:35, 13:22, 13:34, 13:22, 13:41, 13:37, 13:55, 14:12, 15:13 (slightly more than two halves to make 3 hours), air 50-52^o F, water 64^o F
Sun, 14 Jul	1.5	Annual swim with daughters. Celia came home, so everybody was there. Celia and Emily went right across. Mel and I went to far beach. On the way back, Celia and I went ahead and Em stayed with Mel. So nice that they indulge me!
Sat., 20 July	8.4	4-hour swim in Walden, 5:30-9:30am, 3 drink breaks. Length times: 14:34, 14:48, 14:57, 14:01, 14:22, 14:01, 1:30 break, 14:12, 14:00, 14:14, 14:10, 1:22 break, 14:16, 14:14, 14:47, 13:59, 1:17 break, 14:11, 13:04, 7:59, 4:01:03 total. I started very slowly, then got in a groove. Mike Gates joined me at 5.5 miles for the rest of the swim. I felt good enough to push on the last full length---all this after a full week of 3 miles/day. Even though the times were slow, I kept a good pace. Fruit juice gave me a boost about 30-45 min after each break. Propose to drink 45 min before Boston Light swim starts.
Sat., 24 Aug	10	A third Boston Light Swim starting at 7:30 am and finishing at 10:49 am. A best time of 3:19 due to current assist throughout the race and little boat traffic. See the complete writeup at the new website, http://www.bostonlightswim.org/light2002.html.
Sun., 8 Sep	4	4+ miles over 2 hours with Victor Maldonado. 8 lengths from east beach into Black Lagoon and back with about 1:40 stops for drinks and MMM Goo at the east end. Times: 14:16, 14:02, 1:36(break), 14:03, 14:29, 1:43(break), 14:33, 14:20, 2:00(break), 15:19, 15:06. Last two lengths moderate-fast-slow.
Sun., 13 Oct	8.5	4-hour swim to qualify for Manhattan Island swim on 14 June 2003. Water temperature 63^o F; air temperature 55^o F. All qualifying conditions met. 17 lengths from east beach to stone steps. 5:08 to 9:12 am. Sunrise at about 6:45, so first 2 miles were in darkness. Cloudy with slight mist throughout. 2 breaks totaling 4:15 for warm tea and brownies. Times: 13:19, 13:21, 13:20, 13:10, 14:07, 13:45, 14:17, 13:55, 2:26(break), 14:31, 13:54, 14:11, 13:54, 1:47(break), 14:24, 13:55, 14:12, 14:29, 17:20(2 halves). Total 4:04:23. Fairly decent pace. Definitely tired arms at the end. Felt fine for the rest of the day.