Bad bad ski day

I had a bonus day off today because I worked yesterday. Since I found out I would get the day off, I've been planning on going skiing, and been super excited about it. When I looked at the weather on Sunday night, it was supposed to rain at Nashoba, but snow in NH. So, I had the brilliant idea to go up to Pat's Peak. Worst idea ever! 

I got up super early and drove up to NH. It was a little weathery, but not too bad on the way up. But, I was worried about the drive home. I got there, did a couple runs, and realized that I don't know how to ski in fresh snow. Then, my goggles fogged over. And I was so stressed because it was snowing a lot, that I decided to bag it and go home. I stayed for about an hour. The drive home started ok, but then I went down this side street and got stuck on a hill. I could not get up it. I finally had to go back, and go around another way. It was soooo stressful. I almost drove off the side of the road. Once I got back to a main road it was ok, but I was so stressed out. Then, my rubber on my windshield wiper started coming off, so that it wasn't cleaning 100%. Which just didn't help.

I finally got home (phew), had a little bit to eat (ok, I had oat pancakes. It was a lot) and then decided to get a new wiper, some cash for the cleaners, and some gummies to make me feel less stressed. The roads were getting pretty crappy here by the time I got home. Now I'm home - no swimming for today. Maybe I'll take a walk later. What a way to ruin a bonus day off!

Queen of the Merfolk

Today we had a party at the dock, which I thought was for one member who was visiting for a swim, and for another's birthday. Which it was. But it was also a celebration of me and my 50 days in a row of dipping! It was so sweet, we had cake (which I made and everyone seemed to like. OK, so it had a lot of butter and sugar and a whole tablespoon of vanilla in it, so how could they not?) and there were rice crispee treats. One of my friends made me a sash that says "Queen of the Merfolk - 50 Days" and another made a video. Also, there was a plastic viking hat (which Rufus found scary). We all went for a dip and hung out even though we were freezing. It even snowed a little! 

It's 5 1/2 weeks until the big swim race. I've been working on my form in the pool, and I'm also going to the lake on Tuesdays and doing practice runs. Even though regular swims are so much more time in the water, I'm glad that I'm practicing, because it does need some strategizing. Last week I didn't breathe enough at the start of the swim, this time I'm going to practice more strokes breaths early.

I'm thinking about doing a triathlon now that I can swim! There's one that's for women only and it's .25 miles swimming, 10 miles biking, 5 K running. It's in Sept, so plenty of training time.

50 Days of Dipping!

Yesterday I hit 50 days of dips! I did a quick swim yesterday because I had family zoom and yoga in the evening, so I went at lunch and did it memphamagog style, which is to say that I got in from the shore, swam to a little past the dock, and then swam back. I didn't wear booties or gloves, just a swim suit, swim cap, and goggles. My right goggle leaked, of course. I definitely felt breathless when I got past the dock because I wasn't breathing enough! I usually do stroke/stroke breathe, but because it was so cold and I wanted to get out fast, I did stroke/stroke/stroke/stroke/stroke/stroke which is wayyyy too many strokes without breathing. By the time I was 2/3 of the way there, I was like "I must be almost there," and stopped to look, and then just breast stroked the rest of the way. So, I think the secret will be to do the first strokes breathing normal, and then increase strokes to breaths as I move along in the race. I definitely want to go to a 25 meter pool to practice (the Y is 20 meters).

Today I just didn't feel like going for a dip - I had a late meeting and would have had to go after dark, and I just wasn't into it. I decided that 50 days in a row is sufficient, and I can skip a day. Tomorrow, hopefully back to dipping! It will be interesting to see what happens in the spring, when I can no longer do cold swimming in the same way - will my body notice? 

New Year's Polar Plunge

We celebrated the New Year with a little party and polar plunge! We had a pretty good turnout for the event, about 50 or so. It was a fun way to start the year. I made gingerbread cookies and these chocolate mermaid tails and there was dancing and a fire and photos. Super fun start to the New Year.

For NYE I did an online yoga that started at 10 pm and ended right at midnight. It was a new studio in NYC, I really liked the teacher - she made the class a little reflective and a little bit of a workout (but not too crazy). Definitely one of the best ways to spend the last day of the year. 

Today, of course, I decided that I want to lose a little weight that I've gained this year, so back on the old diet. Not too psyched about it, but my pants are getting really tight, and I so don't want to have to pull out the fat pants.