Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Deflated Ego

Before I go into how my ego got deflated, let me tell you how I helped inflate someone else's. Yesterday morning I helped get another human being to the top of Mission Peak (2,512 feet). It's not huge but it is pretty big for this area. This time it was my step-daughter, Loren. The morning started off cool and foggy. Perfect for this hike. Unlike a few months ago when I took my daughter up here, this time we went up from Ohlone College. (Locals know what I'm talking about).



After a couple of miles, we rose above the fog! There's Mount Diablo, poking up above the fog.

I also took Loren around the back side of the mountain and approached the peak from the south end. It's a much easier climb this way. 4.25 miles of climbing and we were finally at the top. Yay Loren!! Good job. This was to prepare Loren for Half Dome next weekend. I think you will be fine. ;)

We spent a few minutes on the top, looking at the view, eating snacks, taking pictures and feeding Boomer and Bella.



Now onto my ego being deflated today. I decided I would go to Quarry Lakes and do some lake swimming. Now that I feel confident about my swimming abilities, I was not worried about this at all. I figured I could work on my tan and swim at the same time.
I was very excited when I got there. The beach area is HUGE and there was only one other person there, besides the lifeguard. I walked down to the water, took my shorts off and walked into the water towards the roped off area. It was a little colder than I'm used to. It wasn't getting any warmer as I walked in deeper either. It took me 10 minutes to become fully submerged! I almost got back out. I finally made myself float on over and went under the rope. I still wasn't warming up at all. I slipped on my goggles and started to swim. As soon as I put my head under and opened my eyes, I literally could not breathe. So, I kept my eyes closed. That didn't work too well. I may have made it 25 yards before having to grab onto the rope. I could NOT catch my breath. Holy crap! What is happening? I saw a fish almost as big as me and I was afraid he might think my toe was bait! I was able to swim (breast stroke, float on my back, move along the rope) to the other side. Phew! Could I leave now? No? Damn! I went back to the other side, stopping a few times along the way. By the 3rd or 4th trip I was opening my eyes and almost making it to the other side without stopping. I was more than sure it was at least ONE FULL MILE from side to side but was told by the lifeguard it was about 120 yards. Are you kidding me? I did eight laps. That is not impressive, by any means. The other guy that was there told me this was his third time swimming here and it does get easier. I hope he's right.
I won't give up. I'm just more determined to keep trying until I get better.
Until later.............

22 comments:

run to eat said...

Nothing can stop you, Jo! It is a whole new experience with out the safety of the pool edge, but you will get there, find your comfort zone and make the lake your own.

Irene said...

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

-Dori the fish from Finding Nemo

RunningLaur said...

I have the feeling that's going to be one of those first time things you look back on and laugh at. In a short while you'll be ripping up that open water, and know how far you've come!

Lily on the Road said...

you are amazing!! you just never stop, never quit!

Good for you!

Mark Tanaka (Ultrailnakaman) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark Tanaka (Ultrailnakaman) said...

It could be the temperature of the water. Except on really hot days I use at least a short wetsuit. Regardless of how many kids are in the water seeming not to mind.

Missy said...

hahaha, yep, that's some good open water swim anxiety right there! I'm only laughing because I used to have it real bad too. AND yes, the only way to get over it, do it more, lots more. THEN you'll never want to get back into a pool.

Judi said...

omg, you did great!! ask how cold the temps are. did the other guy have on a wetsuit? it might be easier than trying to swim w/o one. check out sleeveless ones if they have them at REI - I have an Orca, I love it.

girl, just keep swimming, it does get better it just takes patience and determination, and you seem to have that so you will be swimming faster and more confident in no time. :)

Iris said...

I'm still impressed! I HATE swimming in lakes. You'll feel more confident as you go I'm sure.

Rick Gaston said...

It does get easier and you get better at it. My first time in open water, and this is after having put time in the pool first, was with my YMCA group. I was in the back and I never got past 10 yards. I couldn't breathe, I kept hyperventilating. I kept zig-zagging. I ended up turning around and stayed in my little area while the group went round and round the roped off section of the lake. It was bad but they told me that eventually I would get used to it.

Looney said...

Eight loops is about a mile, which isn't bad for the new environment. There isn't any hanging on the wall to rest at Quarry Lakes.

I will head over there a little before noon tomorrow for a swim and to give my new wetsuit a test drive.

Stuart said...

Great job on the Mission Pk and the swim, big fish just freak me out period!

René said...

The summit view is fantastic! Your swim sounds exhilarating! Mother nature is awesome, isn't she?

Donald said...

Huh. Diablo doesn't look that big from so far away. Go figure.

For what it's worth, getting in the water is the hardest part of my swim workouts as well. And my water is about 78 degrees! So you're way tougher than me.

TonyP said...

I love the pics, and I love even more hearing about you helping others. Great stuff.

Unknown said...

beautiful climb!!

so many of us have had similar experiences with open water. i didn't do my first open water swim until a few days before my first olympic distance triathlon. i wasn't concerned about it at all.

then i got in the water. everythign changed. i panicked!! couldn't breathe! forgot how to swim!!

needless to say...my first ow triathlon didn't turn out so well, but i did finish. and it does get easier. but every year i go through the same thing.

this year, no OWS events for me.

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

Those photos are AMAZING really makes me miss Hiking...will be able to do it more when the boys are bigger.

So WEIRD about the swimming. Ummm Big fish? and COLD water?? No thanks, I will stick to gross toe nails and mud puddles.

YES I play Volleyball, I know big shocker. I play on a co-ed league. Last year we took 2nd in the top division...but this year we have formed a new team with more "positive" people and I am sooo excited. Makes long runs on the weekends tough, but it is so much FUN!!

Aron said...

if anyone is going to be back out there giving it another shot its YOU! i have no doubt you will be swimming like a pro out there in no time. i have heard OWS is WAY harder and different than the pool. i would definitely freak out (but i freak out in a pool hehe).

209Mike said...

Sorry sweetie, but I'm laughing because I have this picture of you with "floaties" on in the lake.

Ditto what everyone else says, that first open water swim is an eye opener (plus water temperature is a factor). Now that you have a good lessons-learned, you'll be better prepared next time and kick some butt. (Now you know why they say to get practice in open water before your event)

Victoria said...

Where is this Quarry Lakes? I thought the pond at Tilden was the only lake swimming possible in these parts... Exciting!

Looney said...

Victoria, Quarry Lakes is in Fremont on the border with Union City. It is a popular training spot for triathletes:

http://www.ebparks.org/parks/quarry_lakes

RunnerDude said...

You are da woman Jo!! Hey I've missed you on the blog! Truly!!