Saying Hello to Hypothermia.....

As some of you may know, the English Channel is a very chilly body of water. To cross it within the rules and regulations of the English Channel Swimming Association, the swimmer is only allowed to wear a single "swimming costume", grease, one swim cap, and goggles. Since the swimmer must be in the water for 10+ hours, it becomes more difficult for the body to retain heat the more it is exhausted of its energy by swimming for such a long time.

To gain a deeper perspective on distance swimming, I recently read an incredible book entitled, "Swimming to Anarctica", by renowned swimmer, Lynne Cox. It chronicles all of her milestone swims, beginning with crossing the Catalina Channel, to the English Channel, to the Bering Strait, to swimming for one mile in the waters of Antarctica; all while following the Association's rules; only a swimsuit, cap, and goggles. And lot's of body fat.

After reading the book, I was curious. Lynne had spent years training her body to adapt to 35-40 degree water so that the Arctic swim wouldn't make her heart stop from hypothermia and shock. A good portion of the book talks about the resilience and complexity of the human body, which was truly fascinating. So, a few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went out to the Reservoir. It was late November, and the air temperature was in the lower 50's. I didn't think the water could be that bad. Um........I was so wrong!

As we walked the trail towards the place I would enter the water, we were greeted by gloomy trees, a faint and chilly breeze, and a calm body of water.

When I removed my shoes and my feet hit the sand and rocks, a frigid bolt of coldness shot up my legs. I remember thinking, "Wow, Cheyanne. You are SO CRAZY!" I don't even want to know what my boyfriend was thinking....probably something similar....

   

I took a deep breath and began walking out to where it was deep enough to jump in. Once my calves were immersed in water, it was literally 5 seconds before my legs were throbbing in pain from the cold. I couldn't believe it-I didn't think the water could be less than 50 degrees...how could it be so frigid? The temp of the Channel is likely to be in the lower 60s during the time I am scheduled to swim. I hoped that by being in water this cold, it would give me some perspective in cold water swimming.

Once the water was past my knees, I realized my chest was heaving. What an odd feeling-my body was taking complete control to adapt to the frigid water. When the water was above my waste, my body was freaking out and I turned around, and got out of the water. The air temp felt like 70 degrees compared to the water. So odd. Then, I turned around, and got back into the water. The water felt less cold this time, so I plunged in, head first. 

I began sprinting out about 25 yards, and then I realized that I couldn't breathe deep enough to keep the sprinting going because my lungs felt like they were on fire from the cold. I turned around and sprinted back in. When I stood up to walk out of the water, my body felt like it was on fire with little pins and needles everywhere. I could barely manage to ask for my towel because I was breathing and shivering so heavily. So many odd sensations going on with my body, but actually quite fascinating! I was in the water for only 2 minutes and it was so cold, I actually felt a little scared. People die in 5-10 minutes when they fall into water this cold, fully dressed! 

Once I got out, toweled off, and put my sweats and coat back on, I began to get some feeling back in my hands and toes. As we walked back to the car, I felt really tired, like I had just ran 5 miles or something. It was weird to think that only 2-3 minutes in freezing water could take so much out of you. 

When I got home, I jumped on the internet to find out what the exact temp of the water was. I thought it would be around 50 degrees......after searching through a fishing report for Iowa bodies of water, I found out it was in the lower 40s! YIKES!! Like I said........

CRAZY!

But I'm beginning to think being crazy is a necessity while on this journey:-)