“What do you think about when you swim for that long? Don’t you get bored?”

These questions, or some variation of them, are what I get asked most often when people hear I train for long distance open water swimming.

Right now, I am training for an upcoming 15.2 mile swim. Yup. That’s a long swim, and a lot of training before I do it.

Today, I swam 12 thousand yards. Here, in no particular order, are just some of the things I thought about:

Glide, Syd, Glide!

Will my right elbow hurt?

Beverly Hills Cop.

Head down.

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

2050 yards.

My head is not in this today. Okay, I can get there. It’s a mental exercise, right?

Don’t forget to listen to the new Daft Punk while it’s still streaming!

Peanut Butter.

Why does my left ankle hurt when I flip turn? What am I doing with my push-off?

Glide.

Okay, that’s better.

Was Austin Powers completely inappropriate for the child? But then, my parents took me to see American Gigolo in the theater when I was 10. Hmmmm.

Glide

4350

How awesome is the Justin Timberlake concert going to be?!? And I’ve never been to anything at Fenway.

Musical interlude while I sing Justin Timberlake songs in my head.

Elbows.

Fingertips.

Glide.

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

5700

The guy from Beverly Hills Cop who ended up on that tv show Perfect Strangers. What was his name?

Stroke Count.

Stay long in the water. Work with the water.

6600

Bronson Pinchot.

6750

Glide. Glide. Glide.

Why is the first 4000 always the hardest and doesn’t it seem to get easier once I get past the halfway mark?

What will I see in the Hudson when I’m doing the swim?

Stroke Count.

Glide.

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

7800

What suit should I wear for the swim? We’ll be North of Indian Point. Should I have a suit made at Splish that says “No Nukes” on it? Would that be awkward for the race directors?

Glide.

I don’t want to be last. But I very well may be. How many people are doing the swim? 5? 6?

What does the guy mowing our lawn think of me swimming while he mows?

8150

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

9000

Glide.

My hands feel puffy.

What song do I want stuck in my head during the swim?

Focus. Focus. Focus.

Concentrate on your form, Syd. Don’t get distracted.

PB & J.

10650

Why do I so often close my eyes when I swim? It feels so good when I do. As if I can feel the water more.

11000

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

11150

Glide.

Enjoy the last bit. You are almost done.

I’m so glad nothing hurts. Hopefully, that means my form was pretty good today.

Smoothie.

11550

Long in the water. Work with the water.

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

11650

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

11875

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

11900

Sea Salt and Vinegar Kettle Chips.

11950

Glide

12000

Yes.