Karen in 1972

Even though the lake isn’t warming up, I am still moving in the right direction. Last weekend I completed the dreaded 4 hour pool swim. I felt a need to do this swim prior to my GG to San Mateo Bridge swim on the 23rd. It was a successful swim, 14,700 yards completed in 4 hours. That equates to 8.44 miles or just over 3 length crossings of  Donner Lake. I did it but never again. That is too many flip turns, too much chlorine and too many concerned looks on people’s faces in the pool. I just didn’t want to lose my momentum before next weekend.

Only one week away before the bridge to bridge. When did my training swims become almost as big as my ultimate swimming goal of the year? It is crazy! I think that it will take between 6 and 7 hours to complete the swim. This is going to be a challenge. I did complete a 6 hour swim last summer, so I do have the experience.  I believe that everything is going to line up perfectly for me and the day will go smooth.

This will be my first weekend that I will be getting into Lake Tahoe for a longer swim. I am going to go over to the east shore to get in some warmer water. Well, warmer than the west shore but still in the low 50’s. Which feels like the mid-40’s in salt water.  The sun will be shinning and the aqua blue color of the east shore will energize me. I will let you know how it went….

The picture  is from 1972. I was 5 years old and my Dad bought me that suit as soon as it came out. It is the 1972 Munich Olympic suit that Mark Spitz won 7 golds in. The funny thing about that suit is I would get a suntan through the white stars and stripes. The best tan line ever. I wish I had that suit now. I would wear it for my Tahoe crossing.