It’ is 05:30 AM and about 57 degrees on a very cool misty New England morning. Today will be my 1^st open water swim of the season.  I’m nervous….   but I’m nervous every year on the 1^st day…

The parking lot is empty of course, what nut-bag in his right mind would be at the town lake at 5:30 am when she/he could be in a warm bed? I’m fighting off a litany of dark thoughts that range from the absurd to the morbid…what if I drown, get hypothermia, attacked by water snakes or tangled in the reeds, what if some guy let his pet Parana loose in the lake… Focus Fergy… Just Freakin Focus….

I strip down (brrrrrr) and slide into my wetsuit using plastic shopping bags on my hands and feet…. Sweet…. now if the zipper cooperates …after a few tries, things pull together and I apply some anti-chaff jell to my neck to prevent irritation from the Velcro faster…  Two swim caps to keep down the brain freeze, googles on and finally I’m ready…

I ease into the 55 degree water… Yup I remember how it takes your breath away… Cold water seeps into my suit and in a few will heat from my body temp to make it more comfortable….but for now I exhale as if I were a birthing coach..  He he he he he ..ho ho ho ho… I’m moving now and my body and mind have lawyered up and are making a strong case for turning back and calling it a win…

I move slowly away from the beach… The heavy mist is inviting me to the center of the lake… I disappear into a cloud and I’m warm now…(no sweat suit peeing required today).  I finally exhale once more and I become relaxed..  I’m here, I’m back, I’m happy….. Exhale!

I start to swim and muscle memory kicks in. I know how to do this…I have been here before and fought this battle and won…  I respect this place and I’m thankful to mother-nature for her gifts… and pause occasionally to take in the beauty that surrounds the lake….and breath.  I feel welcome… I have missed you….

I complete the 1.5 mile swim and it is officially done….The mist has cleared off…I create a quick video clip for my buddy Steve in Virginia as motivation…. And it is off to work…  I ask myself ….Is there any better way to start a day?   I can’t think of many…  Smile!