Natomas Swim (11miles) 5-31-08

Sunday afternoon Kate, Jack, and I set out from the Sac. State Rowing center for a swim at Lake Natoma. Nate and Sarah joined us in kayaks. There was very little wind and the water was calm and in the downstream part of the lake was a comfortable temperature. However when we got about 2.5 miles up stream the temperature started to drop . As it got colder, Nate gave us come cups of warm honey with an energy drink (perpetuem) to help keep us warm. We swam up almost to the corner before the beach at Negro Bar and then decided to turn around and swim back to the warm waters for a while. When we reached the end of the rowing center buoy line Jack and Sarah headed towards the rowing center and Kate and I went back up lake for another lap around the island. The last trip down the buoy line always feels endless. This time I tried to watch the colors on the buoys and know that when they changed color I had made it farther and before long I could see the white tents of the rowing center on my left. We both got out of the water feeling pretty good. I was tired and hungry but the swim felt pretty comfortable. That night my left elbow and right wrist started to ache but by morning that ache was pretty dull. I'm glad we conquered a new distance (about 1/2 the distance of Catalina) - now just add some wind, waves, darkness and sea life and we're all set.