Tag Archives: 4 degrees C

and so it goes on

29 Jan

Sixty people for the Sunday races. The team’s back from Latvia, various eulogies for Dr Andy, Yvonne’s 90th birthday and the return of Mrs Ape’s cake. After yesterday’s paltry effort, I was reminded by Nicky that I had stated on this blog, that I’d be doing a km or mile in Tooting. On this, and a few other things, it would be fair to say that I have a strong opinion, that is weakly held. The water temperature shook my resolve to its core yesterday. I was intrigued as to how I would cope today. Determined to do more than 200 yards, I got into the water and told myself that it was not as cold. In fact, it was colder. Just 4 degrees C. I set off and had to breathe every other stroke, as I immediately started hyperventilating. So much for the research that shows that once you have overcome the cold shock response, your body remembers for up to six months. In my case it forgot after 12 days.

Not wanting to do just another two, I turned for another length and it all became easier. My body was remembering that I wasn’t going to die. Or perhaps I was now numb enough to be relaxed? It’s been a while since I’ve had to calm myself down from the rushing heartbeat and the gasping breath. Felt good at the end of 600 yards, but decided to get out and take it up in increments. A kilometre beckons again and I am happy to play with Jack Frost as he grips the nation this week.

Mrs Ape meanwhile upped her pace, and staying in for 14 minutes clocked up 600 yards. And we chatted to people various.

Ape & Mrs Ape – 600 yards, 4 degrees C.

pics by Mrs Ape

four on the door

15 Jan

Four degrees C. We arrive early to get a swim and sauna in before the races. I find it impossible to do a distance after a sprint. My lungs have worked so hard, that I can’t relax into a long distance stroke. A few people are about. Tricky is in the pool – others are still dressed or in the sauna. There’s still ice underfoot and I almost slip before getting in the water. It’s cold. The sun hasn’t quite risen above the trees, so there will be no illusory warming from the sun’s rays. The water grips me like a vice. I think I might be messy by six. But I get to six and feel that I can turn and do two more. Get to eight, and although my hands are now beginning to hurt and my feet have transcended to another realm, I feel good to do two more. Getting close to the 1000 yard mark, I resolve to beat my PB and do another 100 yards – half way up the pool and back. A kilometre at 4 degrees – result. Mrs Ape, meanwhile, is in for a tad less and clocks up 15 minutes for 600 yards. Still well within the criteria for entering the endurance race.

Everyone is their usual jolly selves in the sauna and Mrs Ape has another cake for the racers – Apple and Cinnamon. We gather, chat and eat. Rosemary wins the best new comer (points accumulated in races between October and January) and young Natalia and Olivia place in the top four. The outdoor swimming crowd is growing and growing.

Ape – 1km, Mrs Ape – 600yards. 4 degrees C.

pics by Ape and Mrs Ape