The air was cold, a balmy 55 degrees with a slight breeze. I decided to wear my long sleeve wetsuit and not wear my booties or gloves, which I would normally wear during the first (or the last) swim of the season at Tobay. Taking the Plunge I took a...
How to Become a Faster Open Water Swimmer
So many of us get nervous going into the open water after being in the pool for several months prior. I think the key to overcoming that fear is to just take it one stroke at a time. Start by wading in slowly and gradually, then get used to the...
Swimming at the Aquatic Center is Always an Experience
The winter is rough. Although I don't love swimming in a pool, after a while you get used to it. A few weeks ago, the Big East was taking place at the Nassau County Aquatic Center. Although I didn't get to see any of the swimming, I did experience a...
Adidas Apparel Review: Quality Sportswear for All Occasions
A few months ago, I went to the adidas outlet in Deer Park, Long Island, and bought myself my first tracksuit. It was thrilling because I never ran on the track team, let alone ran track in High School. As you know, I started running at 48 and started competing...
Pool Swimming Tips
If you haven't gotten in the pool since last season, it's time again to hit the pool. I find that many people focus on swimming last because 1) they don't feel comfortable in the water; 2) they find that swimming is their weakest sport; and 3)swimming is based on technique...
New Product Roundup at TRE
I met so many interesting companies at The Running Event in Austin in December. They all had viable products and I wanted to share a round-up here: VimHue This is a new cap company specifically for women. What's interesting about this cap is that you can wear your hair in...
Swimming is Like Being in a Symphony Underwater
It's the offseason for most of us triathletes and many of us have already hit the pool to train for open water season. As much as I love the open water and love the freedom I feel when I'm in the water, the pool is the next best thing. Swimming...
When Things Go Wrong in the Open Water
There are so many variables in the open water. You deal with the current, the chop, the flies, the flying fish, the jellies, and the sea lice. And, by the way, do the sharks come on the bay side? There's always something to be concerned about. One day this past...
From Open Water Swimming Rookie to 5K Night Swim by Ray Cushmore
When my kids got older, I got back into running and started swimming laps at the local pool for low-impact cross-training. As I started swimming more, my confidence grew, and I thought about doing triathlons as a way to branch out. Triathlons meant learning how to swim in open water...
How to Handle Panic Attacks in the Open Water
When I first started training for triathlons, I used to have panic attacks in the open water. I felt like I couldn't breathe, my throat was closing up, and no air could enter. It's not a good feeling. It feels as if you are hyperventilating. Where do Panic Attacks Stem...