So, in training for the upcoming Ironman (18 days and counting) I have spent more time than most doing long open water swims in Long Lake. The swim in Louisville will 2.4 miles in the Ohio River, without stopping, or touching the bottom. With that in mind, I have been swimming as much as possible in Long Lake and in doing so, I have found things, and found out a lot of things.

1.) One of the first things I found out was if  Mother Nature had painted lane lines like the ones in pools on the bottom of the lakes, I could probably swim in a much straighter line. My inability to swim from here to there without looking like a sailboat tacking into the wind, back and forth, means that I actually can swim about two miles, and still be within 300 yards of my starting point, my parent's dock. Tragically, on the day of the Ironman I don't think you get "credit" for miles covered, they tend to judge your completion of the swim portion based entirely on starting and finishing points (how conformist of them!)

2.) Loons love black swim caps! All spring and summer, a loon has shown up when I get into the water, but only when I am wearing a black swim cap. I think he thinks I am some kind of spastic loon bobbing around in the water. He just hoots and hollers like a menacing coach from about 15 feet away for the duration of my swim. Once he got so bold as to dive completely under me, which leads me to number 3.

3.) I have a degree in fresh water ecology so I know just about everything that could possibly be in just about any lake up here. So why do i get so freaked out when something from the deep moves? Its probably just a fish, (a man eating freshwater shark?) but every time I see a slight blur underwater, I gasp like a small child. The fish startling me, but all those scrap tires that have been dumped really catch me off guard! Everyday, for months, I have managed to swim over the same tire, and everyday for months, I am startled by its sudden appearance.

4.) And the last thing I have found out...when it comes to my swimming, Michael Phelps has nothing to worry about.