Saratoga Springs rang in the first day of spring today with everyone’s favorite weather: a “wintery mix,” otherwise known as wet, heavy slush.
No matter—I’m thinking about a time in the near future when all that slush will melt into cool, clear lake water.

For the record: I wouldn’t complain if we could fast-forward to the part of the year when I swim in Moreau Lake every Thursday evening.
I’m not the only swimmer dreaming of summer. I got an email alert this week letting me know that I can now register for one of my favorite events, the Lake George Open Water Swim, held on Aug. 23 this year.
Other swim news this week includes registration opening for the 2-Mile Cable Open Water National Championship in Lake Placid on Aug. 16. I’ve been dreaming about swimming in Mirror Lake again ever since my brief visit there last August.
Knowing these swims are on the docket doesn’t make the slush any less wet or cold. But having them on my calendar does give me an extra boost to ignore the slush and head to the pool, with thoughts of calming, refreshing lake swims dancing in my head.
Which open-water swims are on your calendar for this summer?
Lake Erie 2-mile swim on August 10, Big Shoulders 5K in Chicago on Sept 6 and a 6K swim down the length of my summer “home” lake in Ontario (just because I’ve never done it). Add USMS Summer Nationals and I’ve got a good line-up for celebrating my 55th year.