Lake Erie

Lake Erie

Some stats about Lake Erie from Wikipedia 

Location North America

Group Great Lakes

Coordinates: 42.2°N 81.2°W

Primary inflows Detroit River[1]

Primary outflows Niagara River

Welland Canal[2]

Catchment area l

Basin countries Canada

United States

Max. length 241 mi (388 km)

Max. width 57 mi (92 km)

Surface area 9,910 sq mi (25,667 km2)[2]

Average depth 62 ft (19 m)[2]

Max. depth 210 ft (64 m)[3]

Water volume 116 cu mi (480 km3)[2]

Residence time 2.6 years

Shore length1 799 mi (1,286 km) plus 72 mi (116 km) for islands[4]

Surface elevation 569 ft (173 m)[2]

Islands 24+ (see list)

Settlements

Buffalo, New York/Erie, Pennsylvania/Toledo, Ohio/Cleveland, Ohio

This too will pass. As I come to the end of this goal (that of swimming the distance of Lake Erie) I look forward to the next lake. I really have transformed myself into a swimmer and have really been enjoying my meditation and being in my own universe. It's a nice escape from the hardships and anxiety of life. I'll try to highlight the main things I have learned or observed since the beginning of this endeavor. I'll also give some information about, "the lake of the cat" as well. 

             I started the Lake Erie swim on Thursday February 20, 2014 and finished it on Monday May 19, 2014. The total distance length wise is 241 miles or 388 km. That's 424,336 yards of lane pool swimming I did in order to complete the distance. Lake Erie is one of the five finger lakes and the eleventh largest lake in the world. It is only the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. Great Lakes being another name for the finger lakes. It is the shallowest of all the Great Lakes with the threat of fluctuating water levels. It derives it's water from Lake Superior, Lake Michigan (next goal), and Lake Huron. Wind pushes water from one end of Lake Erie to the other causing large differences in water level which was something I found interesting. There is extensive industrial development along Erie's shore as well as moderate temperatures suitable for recreation and agriculture. It is also the most biologically productive  of all the Great Lakes with a excellent walleye fishery. Good to know if I ever decide to visit and he actually lake. I really need to get my fly fishing on again, it's been way to long. 

        One final technical note about the lake is the fact that it is know as, "lake of the cat." This was derived from a nation of Indians, known as the "erielhonan." Or the "long tails." 

         So two Great Lakes down and three to go. Swimming truly is such a joy for me and I enjoy learning about bodies of water that hopefully I'll visit one day. The only thing I think that I might not like is the structural difference between lane pools and open water. In a lane pool there are measurable markings whereas in open water there's just well, open water. The only open water swimming I have ever done that I can recall has been at cedar beach to a buoy even before my love for swimming occurred. I didn't even really know how to swim and when we reached the buoy I had to hold on and rest before returning to shore. I still remember that tired, sore feeling when I finally reached shore. It was magical. The only other time was maybe two years ago at cedar point camp ground when I was camping with some friends. So needless to say I'm a pool swimmer. 

That didn't prevent me from signing up for an open water event coming up in July. And it also didn't prevent me from purchasing a triathlon wetsuit in order to do it. I can't wait.

As I have stated before on many occasions, the best thing about swimming is the meditative aspect. You are in your own universe. Just you and your thoughts with the interrupting count intervals I throw in at set points. That's the real key for me. Those counting laps take my mind off of whatever I was thinking about at the moment. The variation in thinking to just counting mixed in with the white noise of water splashing around me is incredibly meditative and soothing. So much so I don't really consider my swimming a tough workout but rather play.

That's what I did for this goal. I played the length of Lake Erie. It's always to accomplish any goal one sets out towards especially if you have a passion for it. That's when you become the goal and forget yourself and your troubles. Here's to passion. Next up Lake Michigan.

"Just keep swimming"

-Barton

 

Negative Greenbelt

May 10,2014

I woke up cursing myself for being imperfect today. On Tuesday I went for a test run to test out how my IT band syndrome was healing. In short it was a rough run with a lot of pain. Afterwards was fine and it haven't hurt since the trails on that Tuesday. But being a veteran of trail running I have learned to listen to my body... Well, as best I can. So I chose not to run my favorite run today, the Long Island greenbelt trail run. Instead I went for a 50 mile bike ride. Had to do something.

I dropped off the last of the game of thrones series at Justin's house then headed to cedar beach. During the ride I couldn't stop thinking about what I should be doing, running the greenbelt. It was a tough ride. My stomach was not cooperating with me for the first two hours or so. It probably was the weird healthy drink I got at whole foods. I finally got into it towards the end of the ride. 

The weather was the same it is every year. It rained a little, thundered a little and it was perfect weather for running. It wasn't the best for biking cause I hate cleaning the bike after a rain ride. Cleaning myself is no problem, usually. 

After the ride I hung out with my mom as well as did some bike tinkering before it started to thunder and rain again. We had dinner and I had the red rice beer I have every day this year, a tradition. Not much else to say about the race I never did. I know I did he right thing by not running it, but it still hurts. There is always next year and hopefully next week will be better with regards my running. Oh well, until next year....

"Wanting to run"

- Barton

Current Topic: Is it easier to date a fellow runner or a non-runner?

      

       There are two ways to look at relationships. The first being that ,"birds of a feather flock together." The other saying goes ,"opposites attract." In my opinion I vouch for the former. 

       Before I was a runner I dated someone who was. I didn't really understand the joys and benefits of running at the time and frankly thought it was boring. So there was no connection with us in that regard. To me the best way to get to know someone is by working with them. So when both parties in the relationship have that common purpose of running they are accentually a team, working for a common goal. That doesn't mean they have to run together but through words of encouragement and listening about the other persons adventures on the trails there bond is strengthened.

      That's my take. I now long for the trails in a similar way to when I'm in a really good relationship. So next time I go out scouting for a relationship I'll be sure to check the shoes of signs of mud and trail.

      - Barton

The Moment

       

      Do you know who you are? My guess is that you would like to think so. The correct answer is that you don't . No matter what you think you cannot really know yourself, I'll tell you why. It's because of the simple fact that in this life you will never truly know yourself due to the limited amount of time available to you. If we are intended to live forever knowing oneself is a day by day thing. So we only get a glimpse of who we truly are. Not to say your inner self, what makes you who you really are, is not there. It's just that we don't have enough time to be complete unless we live forever. 

      To live in the moment is what is difficult for most people, including myself. Sometimes the term ,"To be present" is used. An example is on some Fridays nights I drag myself to the meeting being dead tired and not really paying attention. I'm their but I'm not present. My focus is on other things such as sleep, food, or what I'm going to do tomorrow. These other things distract me from the moment and being present in it. 

       I catch myself on the trails sometimes. It usually happens when it's snowing out. I stop and take it in and there is where I see myself more clearly. There is no distractions in the woods. It's just me and nature and the goal is simple, just run. How can something so taxing and stressful on the body produce such peace in the moment? I think it's the fact that you are in the moment that peace comes. Your away from your worries for a little while. No desk, no mail and no phone.

       I truly have a passion for running. It puts me in the moment. We all have plenty of passions and we know that they are passions when they take us to that moment. Becoming absorbed in whatever you are presently doing is no matter what it is is something we all need. Where time does not matter and the only thing that there is is the moment. Call it art call it passion call it living. The act of doing whatever it is your doing is it's own reward. 

        Sometimes pursuing your passions means finding excuses and reasons to get it done. These can include getting up earlier or setting aside 2 hours or so for your art. It can sometimes be selfish but sometimes you need to be selfish. Balance is always best but you passions will help bring out the best in your and help you with everything else in your life. So in that case they need to be high on your priority list of things to do. Nothing worth doing is easy and living a passion filled life is hard work and takes effort. 

        Not only practicing our passions is enough. Belief in ourselves and a belief that our passions bring out the best in us is also a good mental keystone habit to develop. For example I believe swimming makes me a better overall person and that makes me want to help others an be a good animal. In order to do it I get up at five in the morning and make my way to the pool. No matter how much or how little sleep I get if I have it in my mind that I will have a great swim, I will. So if you want to develop a passion you need to believe. Believe you are happy no matter what. Make being happy a habit and way of life. 

       To make things a habit we need to start with high hopes and a strong and decisive initiative. Do not permit excuses. This was something William James said. Never talk about what you are going to do. Just do it and talk after. That's not to say don't think about what you are doing. On the contrary I believe that if you focus intently on what you are doing you will be a happier person in general. The focus you develop from practicing becoming absorbed in something will be intensified when you practice and pursue your passions. You may even develop more passions as a result. So have passion and I'll try to develop it as well.

"Focus on the moment"

- Barton