Posted: Sat, 9 Oct 2010 12:05 PM - 11,479 Readers

By: Pam LeBlanc

I’ve got another blissfully long swim ahead of me.

On Saturday, I’ll hop into the water for the Lake Travis Relay, one of my favorite local swimming races. (Note to self: Exercise moderation while enjoying self at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday night.)

I’m part of a team of six, but some folks will swim the entire 12-mile out-and-back course solo.

I love swimming in the lake. No lane lines, no chlorine, no flip turns, the occasional fish and a whole lot of open water perfect for gliding.

Relay swimmers will each complete a 20-minute leg, then a 15-minute leg, then 10-minute legs until their team has crossed the finish line.

The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Carlos ‘n Charlie’s. For more information visit www.laketravisrelay.com.

We’ve got a few more open-water swim races on the calendar before the lakes get too chilly for racing.

The Highland Lakes Challenge, a five-day swimming stage race in Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls and Lake Travis, is set for Oct. 20-24. The Dam 5K in Lake Travis is scheduled for Nov. 6.