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)
I had to scrape a thick layer of ice off my car window before I could set off on my swim this morning. I nestled into my swim robe and dreaded the cold ahead of me. But when I met up with Arwen at the Albany Bulb, the sun was shining in a nearly-cloudless sky… Read More Peaceful Swim (Day 347)
I arrived late for the 7 o’clock swimmers this morning, but as soon as I saw the glassy water, pink from the blush of sunrise still tinging the sky, I was very happy to be having a solo swim. After yesterday’s big swim, I wasn’t feeling the need to work too hard and the beauty… Read More Birdwatching (Day 290)
I had a peaceful, gray, morning swim at the Albany Bulb with Sheila today. We agreed before we got in that we were going to get straight in and swim and that’s what we did. I found it very meditative today. The monotony of the gray sky and water helped me settle into a zone;… Read More Enjoying the Moments (Day 280)
Along with excellent music, Hazel and I got our booster shots at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival yesterday. We couldn’t believe it when we stumbled across the San Francisco Free Clinic booth offering boosters—we’ve been struggling to schedule ours—and jumped right on it. I was so glad to get it, but was feeling it today.… Read More Slow (Day 274)
It’s the day after Labor Day; the day that should be the first day of school; the day that will always feel like the first day of school to me. Today is the day that says: summer is over, get your shit together. So, with the intention of setting myself up for a productive day,… Read More Peaceful Waters (Day 249)
It was a low tide and smoggy skies kind of a swim this morning. I met up with Colleen, Angie, and Sheila at 6:15 at the Albany Bulb and the city was a murky smear in the distance. What a difference from the vivid, sharp lines and blue skies of the last couple of days. … Read More Early Morning Reset (Day 151)
Peace and solitude were the words for my swim this morning. Oh, and cold. The water temperature dropped ten degrees since yesterday, according to the beautiful graph my swimming buddy, Colleen, is making to keep track of her swims. The cold temperature and the churning energy of the water were the only remnants of yesterday’s… Read More Solitude (Day 102)
Approaching this milestone I’ve thought a lot about how I want to commemorate my hundredth day of swimming. I imagined a swimming field trip to somewhere amazing, an extra-long swim that would feel like a big accomplishment, but, mostly, I wanted to celebrate with my Albany Bulb swimming buddies. Coffee, treats, and lots of lovely… Read More One Hundred Days of Swimming
The sun was just emerging from the cradle of the Berkeley hills as we glided into the water for our swim at Albany Bulb this morning. Angie, Sheila, and I went earlier than usual and, though it’s hard to get there that early, it’s so worth it. The pinks and golds in the water and… Read More Early Morning (Day 83)