If you think that’s cold……

Have you ever dipped your toe into the pool and shivered while declaring: “That water’s too cold!”? It could be you were already looking for an excuse not to swim that day. But the truth we mostly know is that once you are in and begin your routine, the water temperature is not that much of an issue.

Imagine now the feat just accomplished by the Brit Lewis Gordon Pugh, who on July 15th took a dip in the Arctic Ocean. He was making a point: that global warming is a real issue. He said:

"Just five or 10 years ago this swim would never have been possible - most people have no idea that you can find patches of open sea at the North Pole in summer.

"It's deeply regrettable that it's possible now because of the devastating effects of climate change."

Mr. Pugh’s accomplishment was reported today on the BBC World Service. Here’s the item the BBC published in advance of Pugh’s swim: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6282048.stm

To summarize and put this into my own personal perspective (please feel free to add your own), the water temperature was -2C. Mr. Pugh, clad only in his Speedo, goggles and swim cap, swam 1 kilometre (he IS Brit!) in just under 20 minutes. I’m doubtful we mere mortals could accomplish such a thing without injury, but apparently Pugh has an ability to raise his body temperature. Nevertheless, my teeth are still chattering.

I swam one kilometer (I’m American!) yesterday, but if anything the water was too warm. Given a choice, I think I’ll prefer it at more like +25 Celsius rather than -2C. The coldest water I have ever swum in was at the wonderful artesian spring pool at Balmorhea State Park out in West Texas. The CCC constructed pool is fed by San Solomon Springs, and is definitely cold water. One internet site states the water temperature as averaging 73 degrees year round, but I swear it must have been colder than that the last time I dived into that water. Then again, maybe I was just looking for an excuse not to swim that day.

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How much is Too much exercise?

They’re at it again, those who contend that any exercise beyond three sessions a week is excessive. In an earlier post, I responded to such a report I had seen on television which labeled as addicted to exercise those who work out four or more times per week.

The latest report to bristle my dander was on, of all places, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO). To be honest, Mr. Gumbel was also mildly incredulous about the report which dealt with the increasing numbers of baby boomer fitness fans (I am reluctant to really call us fanatics) that are coming in for sports surgeries and joint replacements. The segment asks whether we shouldn’t arbitrarily slow down as we enter our mid-40s and beyond. We hear the argument that our skeletons begin to wear out with age and that we should therefore shift to low-impact exercise. And forget about competitive, even if it’s just an inner competition with one’s self.

The argument continued that the increased demands on medicine to correct the blown joints and the torn musculature would bankrupt the health system. At the end of the segment, Bryant went on the defensive for he is obviously amongst those of us who are refusing to turn it down a notch in our 50s going on 70. He asked the obvious question. Are we not, by concentrating on maintaining our fitness, avoiding some of the chronic diseases of inactivity such as heart disease and diabetes?

I suppose these questions will continue to be raised and we must exercise on either because of the benefits, or despite the supposed negative effects of our “addiction.” I certainly don’t intend to back off, though I do listen pretty closely to my body as I ask it to perform a little more than others of my age require of their bodies.

What do you think? Why not leave a comment?

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