You know it's going to be an interesting day when the first email you read begins with "Meet me in the city for a good time - jump at at 2".
Now, to those tawdry minds out there thinking I'm off having an affair in the afternoon I'm sorry to disappoint you. No, this is a late lunch with friends that happens to consist of non-standard lunch attire and a tad more sodium than your doctor would normally permit.
With eight hours of work packed in and in dire need of a break I headed into the city for a quick dip. Part of me was wondering if I really wanted to do this. I started back at the gym this morning for core and strength training and my body was telling me "pain, pain, pain" getting up and down the staircase. Mind over matter and just keep moving.
A word to the wise - there's a reason Alcatraz swims and races take place in the morning. The water is always smoother than the wind-kickin' chop of the afternoon. It was gorgeous today - blue sky, sunny, warm (for San Francisco) wind. It also happened that we were jumping off the east end of the island on a 3.5 max flood.
I started out smooth and strong and then hit the washing machine. The result of the afternoon wind and max rushing around the island makes for a washing machine effect 200 yards off the island and it's a reminder that Alcatraz isn't for everyone, especially in the afternoon. It's rough, tough and puts the fear into you. There were a good two minutes in there where my mind wasn't on my stroke, it was on getting air and getting out of the washing machine, whatever forward motion it took.
Once out of the washing machine the water seemed smoother even though compared to morning swims it was rough. I breath bi-laterally, every third or fifth stroke. Today, depending on which way the waves were hammering I had to breath on one side which makes me swim in a zig-zag pattern. Breathing left for a large number of strokes will send me off to the Bay Bridge if I'm not careful!
Approaching San Francisco it was clear we would miss Pier 39 and 37 so shot for Pier 35. A few tourist boats with people pointing and snapping photos later we touched Pier 35. Total time - 38 minutes, 47 seconds.
I climbed back into the zodiac for a bumpy ride back to the South End Rowing Club and grabbed my car keys for the drive home and back to work.
Between my morning workout at the gym and the swim, my pecs, lats and core are going to be sore tonight!
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