The outdoor pool opened today at the health club. The water temperature was 64 degrees F. (the heater is on but it takes time to heat up the water). They asked me how the water felt and I said "this is fucking freezing" with a laugh. I'm always struggling to increase my stroke rate but in water this cold an increased stroke rate and heart beat is no problem. The life guards kept telling me that they were proud of me and respected the fact that I swam in these conditions.
I did have an ulterior motive because in a week I'm in a triathlon and will be swimming in a lake that will at least be this cold and I don't own a wet suit and don't want to purchase one for this one event.
Does anybody know how to stay a little warmer in cold water without a wet suit? Would vaseline help?