Square Lake Open Water Swim

Monday, the day after the Chisago Lakes Sprint Triathlon, I just lifted weights, did some core work, stretched, and foam-rolled my legs.

Tuesday, I went on an easier bike ride. Most of the time, I ride at 95-100% effort, but this ride was around 85%. I hadn’t found my bike computer since coming home from the race (it was hiding in Pharmie’s car), so it was the first ride in a LONG time that I was riding with no information.

I did the familiar “River Road / Shepard Road / Summit Ave” loop that I like to do. I know that’s 15.8 miles. But I added on a trip across the Smith Street “High Bridge” and back. And instead of killer Ramsey Hill, I took the longer (but more gentle) route of Kellogg Ave. Mapping my route afterward told me it was about 18.36 miles. And I had hit my watch to give me an estimation of my time: I did that ride in 56:40, which would come out to be 19.44 mph if everything is accurate. Nice ride to “get the lead out.” I ended the night with a Monkey.

Wednesday had an early alarm: I was up at 5:15 to head out to Square Lake with Julia for an open water swim. I met her at the Y parking lot at 6, and we headed out to the lake with Sara and Kelly. (Both Sarah and Kelly are doing the 2 mile Lake Superior swim in about 10 days! Good luck!!)

The water was calm and the day was brisk when we got out there. We all got ready to swim: Julia changed into a “speed suit,” Sara put on her wetsuit, and Kelly and I swam just in our suits:

Julia, Sara, and Kelly

I didn’t need want to swim as long as them. We ended up swimming out to buoy #1 which was near a diving raft:

We treaded water for a moment, and then swam out to buoy #2 way the heck out there. We turned around after about 14:00. I kept up with Julia and Kelly until the first buoy - after that, they kept pulling away. Nearing shore, the ladies were all going to swim across the front of the swim area for a few laps. I thought “what the hell...” and I joined them for a lap. I ended up in the water for about 39:00, with about 60-90 seconds of that being treading water as we talked. Good swim!!

The ladies did a few more laps, and I walked along the beach. It’s this clarity that people love about swimming in Square Lake:

I apologize for the nasty, wet, matted body hair...

At most lakes in the Cities, that shot above would be dark and green. Square Lake is BEAUTIFUL for swimming!

Then, once back at the Y after the swim, I lifted a bit and did a little core work, as well as a little stretching and foam rolling.

Finally, in the early evening (after a morning of grading final projects from my summer class and then working on my porch remodel all afternoon), I did a solid 6 mile run in 38:55 (average of 6:29 pace).

Today (Thursday) I’m not doing anything physical. I’m finishing grading now, and then it’s back to the porch!