At 5:30 am, Fellow local triathletes Tom Miller, Matt Wehrman, David Sass and I (Matt Buese) entered the cool watersof Pine Lake with the goal of swimming the entire perimeter totaling just over 4 miles.David's plan was to swim the first legwith us and then the three of us would push to finish the rest of the swim in what we hoped would be less than 2 hours of swimming time. The water was pancake flat absent a few waves as a result of the early morningskiers on the lake. As the sun began to rise, we jumped in and started our swim. Steady pace to the first marker with Wehrman leading the way. The first mile was uneventful and a bit of fatigue set in around the 2 mile mark. After a few minute breather we took off again for what ended up being the most difficult part of the swim. I kept a steady tempo and by the time I hit the private beach marking 3 miles knew I was going to make it and was on pace to break the 2 hour goal. Wehrman finished the swim first in 1:41:20. I completed the swim in 1:49:33 and Tom Miller completed the swim in right around 2 hours.

It was a great swim and a good way to keep myself motivated as I continue with my physical therapy for my back. Not being able to run or bike hard for the past 3 weeks with another 6-8 weeks of physical therapy ahead, this swim and the weekly swims at the lake really help keep me connected to the sport and keeps my mind positive. Goal is to swim the lake again in a couple of weeks...this time, in reverse and the goal is to break 1:45!

More News