It’s pretty funny to now think of this, but as recently as 2002, I really could not swim. In the water, I’d be like a fish out of the water, flailing my body around and splashing a lot. I still may be a mediocre swimmer, but at least swimming 2.4 miles is no longer a problem for me — at least with a wetsuit.
&title=I Guess 2.4 Miles is Nothing "Martin Strel, an ultra-marathon swimmer. (Photo: AP)")
I used to think swimming 2.4 miles in an Ironman triathlon was a pretty big deal. Actually, considering that half the time I’d feel like I’m drowning, or being clobbered by other people’s arm swings, or feeling like the Michelin Man in a rubber wetsuit that has a tendency to chafe the back of my neck, I still think it is a distance more suitable for whales. But that’s just me. Apparently. Continue reading »
Having a 20-yard lap pool with lane lines and mountain views 800 feet from home is great. Having that and Richard’s Lake 500 feet away is heavenly. So on a day when record heat was recorded (mid-90s), I decided to jump in the lake for the first time.
Why I’ve waited until now, I’m not sure. Continue reading »
&title=Alcatraz Swim at 7-years-old "Braxton Bilbrey -- a second grader -- just swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco in 47 minutes. (Photo: George Niktin/Associated Press)")
Who says today’s youths are lazy, spoiled, TV-watching, Nintendo-playing, ADD-affected juvenile dilenquents? Ok, so I am sure there are plenty but there also seem to be a rising number out there out to do some rather noteworthy things during their time on Earth.
In March there was the 12-year-old from Denver who scored perfect on the math section in the SAT exam. Then a couple of weeks ago there was the 4-year-old from India who ran 40 miles! Now, 7-year-old Braxton Bilbrey just swam 1.4 miles from Alcatraz to San Francisco, becoming the youngest person to do so. Continue reading »
, Peter, Domingo, and Steve showing up.&title=Catfish Swim "The Tri-City Triathlon Club was pretty well represented, with Sharon (who came in 3rd in her age group), Peter, Domingo, and Steve showing up.")
I got less than 5 hours of sleep in order to come be a spectator at the annual Catfish Swim due to the Bay in a Day Double Century the day before, but I was glad I came — many of my friends were participating. These included Peggy, her friend/mentor Janet, Sharon, Steve, Peter, and his friend Domingo. Continue reading »
