Human Ice Cube

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12-23-2009, 09:47 AM
Selkie

Human Ice Cube

This morning, it was in the 20s when I left the house at 5am to go swimming. I left a bit early, knowing that the neighborhood roads were still snow/ice/ice berg covered and the main roads, icy in spots.

Get on the pool deck and notice it's colder than usual, particularly when I sat down to put on my swim cap/goggles while waiting for the lifeguard to get in the chair. Feet in the water, very cold. Oh no.

So I swam an hour in cold water, in a cold aquatics center. I never warmed up, even though I was going as fast as possible. Breaststroke was torture---when your head was out of the water, it felt twice as cold. I had goosebumps during the entire swim.

I get out of the pool, wrap up in my towel, rush down the hallway to the locker room where someone tells me: NO HOT WATER in the showers! Egads, I quickly rinsed out my suit/cap/goggles, rinsed my hair (torture), dried off, and dressed. I was shivering so bad that I could barely work the clutch in my car. It took me about a good thirty minutes to warm up after I got to the office.

I've been at work all day, smelling of swimming pool!

Hopefully, things will be warmer tomorrow morning.
12-23-2009, 10:07 AM
Blueberry

Wow! You're stronger than I:) Here's hoping....

At least maybe it wasn't as crowded?
12-23-2009, 10:15 AM
Tri Girl

I agree you're tough. Our gym pool is "heated" but sometimes it's not as heated as others. When it's really cold I go swim laps in the therapy pool (MUCH warmer- almost too warm- but only 10 yards across). I'm a major cold water wimp.
Good for you!!!! Hope you're all toasty now! :)
12-23-2009, 10:22 AM
katluvr

Ok, I just think you are a bit crazy! :eek:
Then again, aren't we all a bit crazy to do what we do! Brrrrrrr major cold water/weather whimp here!
12-23-2009, 10:32 AM
GLC1968

I think that if I had known there was no hot water before I jumped in the pool, I would have opted out. Knowing that you didn't know that, I don't think you are QUITE as crazy as you sound. ;)

Good for you though - I hope that at least the heat worked in your car?
12-23-2009, 11:44 AM
Susan Otcenas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri Girl

Our gym pool is "heated" but sometimes it's not as heated as others.

We had a cold snap here in Oregon 2 weeks ago, and the pool got noticeably cooler. Regardless of the temperature, though, the first dunk under when I get in is always the hardest. :o I have to just take deep breath and force myself.

Mickchick - way to persevere! Hope your office chair is under a nice cozy heater vent!
12-23-2009, 04:15 PM
Zen

When it's cold at my gym I get dressed in the sauna :p
12-24-2009, 12:31 AM
Selkie

I readily admit to being a bit crazy and my stubborn Irish nature makes me determined to tough it out! Having missed a couple swims because of the snow, I wanted to get time in the pool this week, particularly since it's closed tomorrow.

It wasn't crowded, but I think that might have been the result of folks being away for the holiday or unwilling to come out on the still iffy/icy roads.

Usually, the water's not that bad and the showers have a good supply of hot water. I think the power might have gone out on Tuesday night or something. I have my fingers crossed that it's warm today because I'm on leave and planning a longer swim.
12-24-2009, 03:08 AM
rocknrollgirl

This happens at my pool all winter long, so I feel your pain. They put the plumbing on the outside wall of the building and the pipes freeze all winter. Viola...no hot water. It is awful.
12-24-2009, 05:52 AM
Tri Girl

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocknrollgirl

They put the plumbing on the outside wall of the building and the pipes freeze all winter.

Wow- what a great decision. Makes you wonder... :rolleyes:
12-24-2009, 07:02 AM
Selkie

They did that in NEW JERSEY??!! They are used to cold winters there. Must have been the low bidder who won that plumbing contract, sheesh. You should invest in a wet suit or a rash guard top.

Turns out that there was a power outage from the snow storm on Monday but for some reason, the system erroneously "recycled" Tuesday night, shutting the power off in the building. This is a brand new facility, completed in July. I guess we were lucky that it was back on by 5:15, when the pool opened.

The good news: it was toasty warm on the deck and in the shower today. I took a steaming hot shower after my swim..... The pool water wasn't quite as warm as usual but it was bearable. I got in a 90 minute swim. :):):):)
12-24-2009, 04:38 PM
rocknrollgirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickchick

They did that in NEW JERSEY??!! They are used to cold winters there. Must have been the low bidder who won that plumbing contract, sheesh. You should invest in a wet suit or a rash guard top.

Turns out that there was a power outage from the snow storm on Monday but for some reason, the system erroneously "recycled" Tuesday night, shutting the power off in the building. This is a brand new facility, completed in July. I guess we were lucky that it was back on by 5:15, when the pool opened.

The good news: it was toasty warm on the deck and in the shower today. I took a steaming hot shower after my swim..... The pool water wasn't quite as warm as usual but it was bearable. I got in a 90 minute swim. :):):):)

It is only one thing in a long list of things they screwed up when they built the pool. A very long list.