Clumsy Clumsy

I'm not the most coordinated person, and sometimes that kind of clumsiness makes problems for me. Case in point, after doing the 100X100 with Cambridge Masters on New Year's Eve, I ended up with an unintended souvenir that is just now resolving itself.

That's the inside of my right thigh a couple days after the 100X100. I slipped while climbing out of the pool, and my leg shot over the lane line and I came crashing down on it. It's a wonder I didn't break the lane line, and at first I didn't think anything was hurt but my pride. (The 10-year-olds at diving practice, giggling at my scramble, were the only witnesses that I could see at the time, but they were clearly enjoying watching the chubby lady trying to extract herself from the high-sided pool.) But then over the course of the next 2 days or so, the bruise worsened until it looked like this lovely bit of hamburger. Yucky. But it's mostly gone now, though still a bit tender. Moral of the story is, when trying to climb out of Blodgett Pool at Harvard, which has a slippery metal coping, after a 10,000 yard swim, it's probably best to head for the ladder and get out like a civilized person.

In other news, the Nahant Knuckleheads saw out 2011 with the now-traditional New Year's Eve plunge and luncheon at the Tide Restaurant. It was a chilly day, though not nearly as chilly as it had been a couple weeks before. The following morning, Greg and Rich and I plunged at the TLC compound in Holliston. We had to chip away an inch of ice before we could get into the water, which was a gasp-inducing 32 or 33 degrees. Thankfully, they have a hot tub.

2012 has come roaring in and I've been busy with lots of writing in addition to the normal hullabaloo. I may have some announcements soon regarding the summer schedule for 2012 and 2013, but waiting for confirmation on a few things. Whee!

I'm also thrilled to announce that I will be guiding a SwimVacation trip to the British Virgin Islands March 18-24. We still have some places available on the trip, so if you're interested in coming, let me know. We're offering a 10% "Friends of SwimVacation Guides" discount for swimmers recruited by the guides. The trip promises to be a fantastic retreat from the frozen North East right when we need it most. Think 85 degree, crystal clear waters and as much swimming as you can handle. Sounds like heaven to me.

Happy January!