I've marked my calendar: 16 September 2006.

[angledge]

I've registered for the Alcatraz SharkFest, a 1.5-mile open water swim from The Rock to Aquatic Park.

Comments

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

You know, regardless of my less-than-enthusiastic feelings towards water and aquatic sports, I'd still be suspicious of any water-based event entitled "SharkFest". That's really just begging for it, in my opinion.

I KNOW!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I don't know why they changed the name. I think this race used to be called "Escape from Alcatraz". But that's now the name of a triathalon.

Re: I KNOW!

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

So, if you wear one of those Sharkskin bathing suits, are the sharks more likely or less likely to attack?

Re: I KNOW!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I don't know. And I won't know, because:

1) I can't afford a Sharkskin suit;
2) I'll be wearing a wetsuit anyway; &,
3) I'm not going to get to ask any sharks anyway.

Shark-B-Gon!

[jacesan.livejournal.com]

What the link doesn't tell you, and the reason for the name change, is that they now have a couple of boats ahead of the swimmers throwing chum overboard to make it more exciting. I think the ratings were slipping or something. ;)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Liar, liar, pants on fire!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I will comforted when I know that I can escape federal incarceration under my own power.

No...

[jacesan.livejournal.com]

They'll be reaching up from those watery tombs to pull her down there to keep them company. :D

Re: No...

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

AQUAZOMBIES! Brrrraaaaaaiiiiinsssssblublublublub!!!!

[gingiber.livejournal.com]

Lunatic ;)

Good luck

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I've done three other open-water swims in cold water. The only wrinkle on this one is the current. Hooray for safety precautions!

[ataralas.livejournal.com]

Oh, I want to DO! I loved the 2.5k one I did in Lake Michigan.

Holy Shit, I could do it, possibly.

*glares at Berkeley and Stanford* Let me in, damn you!

Do it! DO IT!!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

When will you know about grad school? Because this race has a limited number of spaces & it usually sells out months ahead of the race date. It's already half-booked.

Re: Do it! DO IT!!

[ataralas.livejournal.com]

I have to let schools know by April 15. I start hearing in *gulp* 4-6 weeks.

I have no doubts.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

They are ALL going to want you, I just know it.

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

I saw sharks at the grocery store last night. Little ones in pans of ice.

Sounds like a fun time, but I'm not sure if I'll ever get back to swimming 1.5 miles non-stop. I get bored around half a mile.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

My typical workout is about 2 miles. The trick is to do sets, so you can introduce variety (sprints, kick sets, drills, different strokes). Just swimming back'n'forth endlessly does get boring.

[lovellama.livejournal.com]

That's so cool! I swam from Cocos Island to Guam for a Red Cross fund raiser thingy, I think it was 1 mile, and it took my friends and I about 4 hours. We took our time. :D When we got close to shore a bunch of people were pointing out past us and I freaked thinking it was sharks, but it was only dolphins. Whew.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I did a 1.4-mile swim across the Provincetown harbor (Cape Cod) in 42 minutes. Unless I'm TOTALLY underestimating the currents around Alcatraz, I should be able to finish in under an hour.

[jacesan.livejournal.com]

Did you factor in the time it'll take to fight off sharks and underwater spirits?

[thepikey.livejournal.com]

Heck, last year a dog went and did the race. Did tolerably well too, as I recall.

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

There are only a variety of basking sharks in the waters of the Bay, love. You might get gummed to death, but that's pretty much the only threat out there.

Oh, and the FUCKING FREEZING WATER. But clearly, you're ready. I'll be in a canoe, paddling alongside you, sipping a frosty drink. Cheering you on, of course.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info on the sharks; that's reassuring, actually. As for the cold water, I will be wearing a wetsuit. I'll be cold when I get out, but not hypothermic.

[ohioswimmer.livejournal.com]

I am so jealous! I have been wanting to do that for years. Perhaps I'll make it a goal for 2007.

You are awesome!

Misery loves company!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Do it this year!

Re: Misery loves company!

[ohioswimmer.livejournal.com]

I'll think about it more tonight at work. By 5a, I may be able to talk myself into doing it this year.

Well?

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Any decision?

Re: Well?

[ohioswimmer.livejournal.com]

I am in. I'll pay for the registration when my tax return comes. :-)

YES!!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

You are totally welcome to stay at le Chateau when you come out, unless you'd rather stay somewhere else.

I'm totally psyched!!! IGLA-LJers unite!!

[evilfb.livejournal.com]

Sweet.... can I row ahead of you and bark orders at ya.

[chaosvizier.livejournal.com]

Nice icon, btw.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

NOT A NICE ICON OH NOES IT IS NOT

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Only if you want me to drag you down to a watery grave.