I remember a question that Mark Allen asked in his book “Fit Soul, Fit Body”: “When’s the last time you saw a sunrise?”  I read that and wondered when that was?  I couldn’t remember. That was 3 months ago.  Since then, I have rediscovered my joy for swimming.

I had wanted to start swimming in the Sound one week into our 95+ degree weeks back in late May.  The outdoor pool I was training in was 92 degrees after my last swim, and I had finally decided to move out into the salt water.  I asked around and got some suggestions on where to hold my practices. I quickly told everyone that I’d like to get a regular swim in every week at 6am on certain days. After a solo recon by my biking mentor, Don, a place was found.

I remember getting out there early, before the sun came up, and wondering if the sharks were still asleep.  After taking off my lure (my silver surfboard neckless), I waded out into the dark waters alone and somewhat afraid.  With a pass-out partier crashed out on the beach as my only witness, I hit “start” on the watch and sprang forward into blackness. 

After the first 10 minutes of warming up and realizing that all those fish I was seeing were just in my mind, I got into a rhythm that I seldom got in a pool.  After my second “lap” of 500 yards, I stopped and looked out over the water to the East...and there it was.  First a sliver, then a giant orange circle rising over the horizon defined by water.  It was a beautiful sight.  No sounds around other than water lapping up against the shore and an occasional seagull calling.  I smiled and took it in before starting another lap.

Since June, I have been OW (Open Water) swimming as much as possible.  And every time I’ve gone, I’ve seen the Sun rise.  Just another gift Triathlon has given me...