Condescending Bird
Left the house at 7:30 this morning. Not a cloud in the sky.
The beach is beautiful but crisp. As I leave the car, I check the temperature on my phone for my current location and it is a sultry 46 degrees. At least no one is gonna suffer from heat stroke on the way down the stairs.
I’m trying really hard not to think about the cold water as I head down the stairs. Fortunately trying hard not to think of something is a pretty simple thing to do.
Looks like another swimmer is heading in to shore just as I am coming down the final ramp to the sand.
Water feels about the same on my feet as it did yesterday - cold. I park my backpack in the usual spot, do away with my upper body garments and head to the water.
The journey from dry to wet is about the same as yesterday - cold plunge into surfless water. I’d say the temperature is about the same as yesterday - maybe just a touch colder.
I start my swim south and my body eventually finds its inner warmth. Just like yesterday, the water is super clear and beautiful.
As I head north the intensity of the cold slowly builds. I try to greet the cold with curiosity. Not something to run from but something to explore. I watch as my mind tries to create a story around the cold. A story of danger and suffering.
While on the one hand, I feel like the cold water is a sort of neutral ground that can be painted with whatever color your mind wants to throw at it, on the other hand, make no mistake, the cold water is challenging. The body is working hard to keep warm. It is like running up a long hill where you can feel yourself working harder. This is undoubtedly different. I don’t really feel like I am expending more aerobic effort, but I absolutely feel my body working. I am sure I am burning more, maybe significantly more, calories than I would be in 70 degree water.
The morning is so beautiful. I am torn every now and then between stopping for photos or just muscling through the cold.
At one point when I am nearing my northern terminus, I see a splash right in front of me. I look up to see what the commotion is and it is a bird that is now just sitting and staring at me. I find it funny that the bird chose to land right at my head when it had this whole ocean. Was it thinking, “Oh lets look at what the stupid Human is up to this morning.” I can see the condescension in its eyes.
Not long before the end of the swim, I see several kayakers drift right by me. I grab a couple photos and then realize later that I had powered off the camera instead of powering it on. So no kayak pictures today.
I finish up and debate whether to put on layers or not because today I am showering up top at the parking lot and then heading to church. This is the world’s fastest debate and the extra layers team wins. So my towel will be wet. I’ll live.
The cold follows me all the way up the stairs. I am making large exhales which helps. Actually I’m not sure if it is that it helps or if it just happens involuntarily. I am thinking more the latter. Oddly I kind of enjoy this. It might look like I’m dying but don’t worry folks, I’m having the time of my life!
The shower at the parking lot is without luxury, but I make it through. I quickly put on pants in the bathroom, order Starbucks on my phone and head to coffee which makes everything better.
I’m thinking on the way how much I totally love this post cold swim feeling. You have to pass through quite a challenge to get to it but right now I feel like there is this intensity pressing down on me that takes me to this otherworldly experience. Perhaps that’s jut the dopamine? Well its a lot cheaper to get in the ocean than to buy crack. I hear its better for you too.
