2 loops
lake nokomis open swim
70 degrees
AQI: 33
2 loops today. Hooray! I’m still feeling weird, where weird = some trouble breathing, sore joints, a little brain fog?, fatigue, a sense of disconnection to the world because of brain fog or declining vision or increased anxiety due to adjusting to HRT, but less weird than yesterday. I’ll take it.
I felt strong and buoyant and fast. My breathing was better too. No wheezing and several stretches of breathing every 5. My bad (left) shoulder ached for the second lap. I think it’s an impingement that won’t go away with just rest and ice. Time to get serious about the shoulder exercises / shoulder yoga.
Today I was relaxed enough to notice the color of the water again: a light green with some feelings of blue. Above, it was pale blue due to the clouds: streaks covering the sun. One bright spot: rounding the buoy near the little beach, the top of the water reflected lime green. Below the surface: some clear bubbles and nothing else. Opaque — low visibility. No sparkle friends or shafts of light or silver flashes.
I listened to the water as it sloshed over me. I heard a goose before entering the water. Scott quipped, they’re flying south. Then I heard a seagull. My bird friends! I’ve missed them. Saw a plane high above the lake. Admired the wildflowers blooming in the grassy area near the beach house — lots of purple.
My goggles fogged up several times, which made it even harder to see. I didn’t mind not seeing the buoys (because I hardly ever do), but I did mind how isolated and removed from the world it made me feel — not disconnected, but like I was wrapped in a thick layer of fog, my view obscured, my body heavy with the weight of it. When this started to feel too unsettling, I focused on how the water gently rocked me, and I snapped out of it.
Ended the swim by meeting up with Scott and watching the last 5k of stage 19 of the tour. Pogachar powered up the HC climb to win the stage. Nice!