Open Water Swimming

I'm a swimmer. I love it so much that until recently I've used it as very nearly my only form of exercise. Pool swimming, when you start to get in any sort of distance, becomes mind numbingly dull. Therefore, I have decided to venture into the sport of open water swimming. This is a whole new (and very scary) beast.

I've been fascinated with swimming the English Channel since 1999 when I took a ferry across it and thought, "you'd have to be mental to swim this". Someday I'd like to be that mental. Someday far away. For now I'll do small open water swims. My very first race is in a few weeks and it's in a local reservoir called Deer Creek. It's ridiculously beautiful. That is one of the draws of open water swimming. Instead of stupid tiles at the bottom of the pool, you get to look around at gorgeous scenery! Better, yes?

Anyway, last weekend there was a clinic that was held by the organizers of the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim. I am SOOOO happy that I went. I had been having nightmares about this race. I'm not the kind of person who takes something on and doesn't finish so I knew that no matter how tough it got (even if I were on the brink of death), I would finish this race. Granted it's only a 5K, so this is not highly likely. Also, the temperature of the reservoirs has taken its sweet time rising this year since we had a very long spring. I'm a cold wimp. I'm also claustrophobic and a purist and hard core open water swimmers (I am not claiming to be a hard core open water swimmer but aspire to be one) DO NOT wear wet suits. I can't stand the way they feel and I thought I would die of shame if I had to wear one. Turns out, Deer Creek is going to be plenty warm. 72 (22) balmy degrees!! Huzzah! I was literally having dreams that people on my swimming chat site were making fun of me for wearing a wet suit.

SO, needless to say, the clinic was massively helpful. We did some drills, swam a bit, I tried out the cursed wetsuit and I calmed the heck down. Lovely.

Seriously. I mean, seriously.

Here we are getting ready to go. I'm in the blue cap, hidden by yellow cap speedo man.

Simulating a "race start". I'll always be at the back of the pack. Slow and steady wins the race, right? Blue cap. Notice how my head is down? Good form ;).

All the group at the clinic. Fun fun fun!

Hopefully this race will be grand adventure. I just found out that I'll be running a marathon relay about a month after this so... Um, go me?

Peace out!

Pauley Mac

What can I even say about this? Once in a lifetime experience, concert of a lifetime, epic event, legendary, bloody amazing!!! Paul McCartney was in the hizouse last night and I am telling you what, even at 105, the guy can rock! Amazing talent and an amazing entertainer!

My mom has been a Beatles fan since the dawn of time and actually had her bags packed, ready to go to Denver when she was in Junior High. Her horrific parents ;) wouldn't allow it so she had to wait 40 years for her next chance. She cried her fool eyes out when he came out on stage.

I can hardly blame her. This is Paul McCartney we're talking about here. Sir Paul. You know, the "cute one". The guy who has memorabilia in the British Museum. A fourth of the Fab Four. An actual Beatle. I was gobsmacked! I kept thinking, "this is crazy! I'm so lucky to be here!"

He sang so many amazing songs but my faves were probably "Blackbird", "Yesterday", and a ukelele version of "Something". Seriously fabbity fab! "Live and Let Die" was a pyrotechnic paradise and he ended with "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" which was lovely. And fun (especially since we saw several people in Sergeant Pepper regalia).

Steve and I before the concert (Steve is in the midst of canceling his AmEx because he lost it at dinner).

My mom and dad.

Paul.

Paul. Again.

All in all it was a dream come true. Especially for my mom who got to sing (along) with Paul in real life. How much fun is that? I ask you.

I hope everyone gets to have an experience like this with someone you believe is legendary. It makes for some pretty great memories.

By the way, the pictures were taken with my iPhone. I was afraid they would take away my camera. They're not great. Luckily my mom did bring her camera.

Peace out,

Heidi