Whales!

In an effort to break up the massive May-June training, Shaun and I went down to the Mystic Aquarium to do an encounter with the beluga whales. Other than getting seriously sick on the car ride down to the shore (and having to make a stop in Middletown so I could vomit -- fun, I know), it was an awesome day (plus having my legs soak in the 55 degree water felt pretty good.

This is Naku:



Naku was born in 1981 (we're the same age), is 11 feet long and weighs 1,350 pounds. Her full name, Nakungayok, means “cross-eyed” or “bright-eyed.” I like Naku, Shaun's favorite whale is Juno, the juvenile male, I think they have a lot in common.




Once we were in the water (in out lovely Cabella's waders -- they're better than wetsuits, they keep you completely dry and have boots on the bottom) we got to touch the whales head, tongue and body and were able to give the whales commands to perform certain tasks like spitting and sucking. The whole time we were in the water the trainer was giving Naku fish and squid from the bucket.



At the end of the sesstion, we got to pose for a "photo op" with Naku. It turned out pretty good, although Shaun and I are both tools (he's wearing a QT2 shirt and I'mn wearing my bike jacket).



Finally, we got out of the water and hosed off. I find the concept of being hosed off pretty funny.



I promised Shaun we can go again post-IMLP. I have all these plans for my post-race rest week, I just need to get through the race (mentally and physically) first.