Time is hurtling forward and somehow it’s October again. As I did last year, I’m participating in Coldtober this month. Every October the Irish mental health organization, Helplink, puts on a daily cold water swim challenge called Coldtober to raise money and awareness for mental health. Last year, it was a no-brainer for me to participate–I… Read More Coldtober Day #1
When I woke up to frost on all the windows, I did not want to swim. I made my tea and wrote in my journal and thought, “I won’t go unless someone else instigates it.” Five minutes later, my phone buzzed and a text from Angie said she’d pick me up in fifteen minutes. By… Read More A Very Cold Morning
Sunday was another lovely sunny day with a big crowd at the Bulb, which still felt like a welcome sight after all of the rain. Brown, murky water greeted us again, but I tried to pretend not to notice. The temperature was 51, the air slightly warmer than it had been the day before, but… Read More Sickness and Health (Week 4 in Swimming)
Week three began in Pt. Reyes at my gorgeous writing retreat. It rained and rained and I cozied up in my little writing hut and luxuriated in time and creativity. When we lost power, I snuggled by the fire with books and my journal and I slept more than I have for years. I felt… Read More (Im)Patience (Week 3 in Swimming)
January 8 (Sun)—It was a small crowd for a Sunday; just a few of us stealing in a swim between storms. It raged last night and is set to do so again tonight, so this morning we plunged in. The water was murky below and probably pretty polluted, but it looked beautiful! Calm, with ribbons… Read More Storms (Week 2 in Swimming)
The weirdest thing about January 1st was not coming back from my swim and thinking about my blog. At first, it was freeing: I don’t have to write about it! I don’t have to take pictures! But then it became disconcerting. Chronically my daily swimming has come to feel like my job; not doing it… Read More Adjusting (Week 1)
Bleary-eyed with jet lag and the particular bodily displacement that comes from traveling such a long distance in such a short time, I arrived back in the stormy Bay Area ready to take my last plunge of my year of swimming in my favorite place: the Albany Bulb. It was pouring with rain as our… Read More 365 Days of Swimming
My plan for today was to go to the Parliament Hill Lido, but the Ladies’ Pond was so magical yesterday that I opted for another swim there instead. Hazel, Eliza, Kevin, and I made the journey to Hampstead and I left them on the high street to browse while I beelined over to the pond.… Read More Back to the Pond (Day 356)
. Angie joined me for one last 2022 sunrise swim at the Albany Bulb. Later today I’m off to England for some much colder swims. I’ll miss this place that has brought me such joy this year and was glad she saw me off with such magnificence this morning. Each sunrise swim is a surprise.… Read More One Last Sunrise for the Road (Day 353)
In order to accommodate World Cup Final viewing this morning, Arwen, Sheila, Kim and I met for a swim at the Albany Bulb at 10:30. Except for evening swims, it was the latest any of us have gone for a dip at the bulb. I usually opt for the Marina or Keller for mid-day swims… Read More Lazy Sunday (Day 352)