Cold in California? Hail no!

Yesterday morning the team tucked into a beast of a set that included periodically throwing on shoes and running around the track before jumping back in the pool for another round. As if to prove to us that southern California weather is not entirely predictable, dark clouds and intermittent sun gave way to rain, which turned into a short hailstorm. Needless to say, running through falling hail around a track in a wet swimsuit and running shoes was one of the more hardcore training trip moments in Whitman swimming history. The bizarre weather continued with more sun, rain, wind and heavy clouds, but everyone pushed through for a great 8,000-yard morning workout.

Tazi cruises around the track during one of the rare sunburst moments.

Claire and Kendra are all smiles during the run.

Gathering at the rain-protected shoe station.
 

Tazi gets ready for another run.

Katie and I huddle up against the cold. 

Claire going in for the win.

The distance crew dives into more IM work.

                                                  

Karl, always photo-worthy.

Paul in relaxation mode after the set.

Congratulations are in order upon a successful finish!

Beach Day in Balboa

It was our annual beach day today, which we spent bummin' around Balboa Island. Thank you Banks family for letting us, once again, use your house for the day! 

The whole group in Balboa.

Tazi, Claire, Kendra and Jo ditch their training suits for a morning at the beach.

Genay and I happily hit the sand.

News from Day 5

We have officially passed the halfway point in our epic journey through the waters of the Claremont-McKenna pool in Claremont. So far our progress has taken us to the end of the pool...and back, and forth, then back again, and forth, yet again. You get the picture. Yardage total: approx. 36,000 yards and counting. 

Days four and five were marked by exciting new tan lines, great quantities of IM and kick work, obscene consumption of a certain Chinese buffet's sugar doughnuts, depleting room supplies of peanut butter and tortillas, and countless between-practice episodes of Four Weddings and What Not To Wear.

More photos from our nearly amphibious team of swimmers in California:

Pre-practice STL.

The sprinters gear up for some fast 25s.

Dane leads the way on some IM work. 

Grudge matches with bungee cords made for an excellent practice-viewing experience.

Erin packs up for the morning.

Fruit snacks cheer up Sam after a long workout.