On June 9, 2016, I’ll be participating in The Great North Swim in Lake Windermere, England. The event takes place over three days, and about 10,000 people from all over the world swim either the 2 mile, 5k or 10k distance. I’ll be swimming the 5k (3.1 miles). In October of 2012, I swam an 8k in Lake Mead, Nevada “Slam the Dam“, so I know I can do the distance; but, it’s been a few years and I still have quite a bit of training to do before I’m ready. One of my favorite places to practice open water swimming is Canyon Lake, which is about a 2.5 hour drive from Tucson. Since wet suits are required for The Great North Swim, I started making trips to both Canyon and Patagonia lakes in February so I could practice getting used to the suit in cold water. I chose the Blue Seventy Reaction wet suit. Very comfortable for me, and I never thought I would every wear one!
Water temperature at Patagonia Lake on February 14 was 52F. Canyon Lake on March 28 was 62F. Lake Windermere is typically around 60F in June. I should be fine doing a 5k in that temperature – the only part of my body that tends to get cold are my the tips of my fingers (but I don’t really need them to swim, haha).
Canyon Lake, Boulder Recreation Area, after a 2.5 mile swim on March 28, 2016. Water temp 62F.
My friend, Leanne, after our swim in Canyon Lake, Acacia Recreation Area on February 21, 2016. Water temp 58F.