Anyone else have a New Year's Eve swim?

My final swim of 2009. After scraping a stubbornly clingy, substantial layer of ice from my windshield, I drove to the pool in first gear on slippery roads (it was sleeting heavily). I live about 3/4 mile from the pool, so it's not as bad as it sounds, despite the hills, particularly at 5:15am.

I was surprised that many of the other early bird regulars made it, but thank goodness, it never got crowded. Had a lane to myself most of the time. My pull buoy came yesterday, so I tried it out (more on that in another post).

Managed to slog out 90 minutes. It was a "sheer determination slog" partially due to cool water and a tired body. Lots of swimming this week, and I was feeling it. The pool being closed tomorrow is probably a blessing in disguise in terms of enforced rest. I'll be ready for my regular long Saturday session on the 2nd!