First Swim Back at the Culver City Plunge

It happened! I jumped back in the pool and did a whole 40 minute swim with Southern California Aquatics (SCAQ), almost six months to the day of my last one. It was an experience I won’t ever forget. Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of the rules surrounding the SCAQ workout so it took awhile for me to fall into place.

The lanes were set up to be double wide to accommodate four swimmer. Each person had to start at once side of the pool at the lane marker. The four of us then did a double lane circle swim. The sets were super simple and provided lots of time to be at the wall to re-set the group.

Unfortunately, the pool’s temperature was quite high, and because the swim was mid-morning the sun was strong and the water did not feel refreshing and clean, but soupy and thick.

My skin also felt like it was burning. I’m not sure if was because I haven’t been exposed to pool chemicals since February, or if they are pouring more in thinking it helps with public safety.

And to add insult to injury, one of the swimmers in my group decided to pay little attention to the rules, and somehow let herself swim into me three times. All of that to have to hope out after only 40 minutes and then rush out of the deck to clean up at home.

I might re-think swimming with SCAQ for awhile. I think I need to get my body back in shape and familiar with the movements before doing another coached session. I believe the Santa Monica Swim Center has just re-opened, and their pool is so much cooler and crisp. Fingers crossed for getting a lane reserved there.

You can see the double wide lanes. The crates in the distance were for our bags.