MF42 0 #1 July 8, 2006 So I went to see the doctor, and he told me my back is healing well.I asked what can I do for exercise, 'cause I've just been atrophying for the past month. He tells me nothing at all strenuous, it must be gentle and low impact. He suggests swimming. I live in an apartment building that sits on the shore of Lake Michigan. The view is spectacular. But I didn't live here last summer, and I've never actually set foot in the water since I moved in. Is the water safe? A little research turns up a website that the city updates every day about the water quality at the official swimming beaches. Great! Someone is measuring bacteria and chemicals and other icky things and has determined it's safe to swim. What about the temperature? Hmmmm. I'm concerned about this. Recent daytime temps are mid 70s. Gets down to 60s or even high 50s at night. And that's a pretty damn big lake out there; I bet it doesn't warm up very fast. Oh well, never know unless you try, right? No guts, no glory! So I hike down to the little rocky beach, strip down to swim trunks, smear on some sunscreen, and stare at the waves for a little while, trying to think of something else to do to avoid getting in the water. I want to swim. I expect it to be more fun than sitting in my chair and surfing the 'net. But I fear the cold. And those waves look cold. "Suck it up, cupcake." I tell myself, and carefully wade in up to my knees. I was right; it's pretty damn cold. But not unbearable. Wade in a little farther, take a deep breath, and go under in one quick move. Holy shrinking nutsack, Batman! Yeah, that's what I was afraid of, it's so cold it takes my breath away for a few seconds and my balls are screaming at me "What the hell did you just do?!!" as various body systems stop for a second, reboot, and shudder to life again. Stand up gasping, wait a couple seconds, go under again. Still cold, but not quite so bad. Skin has a kind of tingling, almost a burning sensation as capillaries all slam shut at the same time. Ok, so it's not exactly pleasant, but it's bearable. I paddle away from shore a little ways and turn around to look at my place from a new vantage point. Wow, that's kinda cool looking. Gonna have to get a good camera one of these days. Paddle around a little bit more, and realize I'm not really noticing the cold now. Dive under and explore the bottom, just more rocks, but it's fun. Haven't done any swimming for a couple years, I think. End up spending about 45 minutes just floating around before my back starts aching and I realize I shouldn't be pushing it. Out of the water, and unlike all my other swimming-related experiences, I actually feel warmer standing on the beach in the wind than I did in the water. I'll get a thermometer if I think of it next time, find out exactly what temperature that water is. It was fun. Think I'll do this every morning until Fall rolls around and everything turns cold again. Thought I'd share. It was probably the most fun I've had since getting hurt. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #2 July 8, 2006 I lived in Michigan City Indiana for a year or two and just about every time I went to the beach on Lake Michigan there were quite a few dead fish floating up to the shore. I wouldn't want to swim in it Isn't there a YMCA nearby or something with an indoor pool you can use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #3 July 8, 2006 Yeah, I suppose I could go to an indoor pool, but it wouldn't be quite so convenient or picturesque as what amounts to my own private beach, since none of the other tenants in this building ever use it. I'm confident the water quality here is safe enough. There's people water skiing and tubing out there everyday and I'm certain the local news/gossip chain would be crying bloody murder if people were getting sick. Besides, gotta give the immune system a workout. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaden 0 #4 July 8, 2006 Great post...Congrats on taking the plunge. Have a blast, man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squirrel 0 #5 July 8, 2006 try using a half wet suit, or even a lifevest, the kind jetski riders wear. we swim in a local lake with our dogs, and both of these help us spend more time in the water(more warmth) and provide floatation when we get tired ________________________________ Where is Darwin when you need him? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #6 July 8, 2006 Might be a good idea, thanks. Went swimming again today, but for whatever reason the water was noticably more frigid than yesterday, so I only lasted 10 minutes before wimping out. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #7 July 8, 2006 Quote...since none of the other tenants in this building ever use it. This should have been your first clue... You may soon have a job as understudy for Two Face in the Batman series.My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MF42 0 #8 July 9, 2006 The other tenants (there's only a few of them) are either very old or very fat, I'm sorry to say. Two-Face had a great look! I could live with that. Matt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bolas 5 #9 July 9, 2006 Sugar and Spice were hot too. Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
