Holland Aquatic Center (50m pool)

Heading across Lake Michigan today on the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Muskegon, Michigan. After a couple of hours on the lake, I'm ready for a swim and have found the perfect pool just off the route to Grand Rapids.

There's a quick stop for some sustenance courtesy of McDonald's en route, followed by a bit of drama when someone reverses into my car in the car park - just a few paint marks, no damage done. Then it's on to the pool.

Arrive at Holland Aquatic Center, situated in a great little neighbourhood in Holland MI, just west of Grand Rapids.

It's 'melting asphalt' hot outside, i'm definitely ready for a swim - please let the pool be cool!

Pay the quite reasonable entry fee, quick change and out to the pool deck. Keen to get somewhere close to a standard two-mile session today, and there are two pools here, so I'm hoping to split the session and get them both on the list. This is an impressive modern pool hall, light and bright. The pool is set up with eight 50m lanes, spectator seating down one side and a huge, super-wide LED timing screen on the other.

Jump in and make a start. The water temperature is perfect and it's super clear. Swim through 1,600m, then add a few more 100s to bring the total in the 50m pool to 2,000m. Time to hop into the 25-yard short-course pool and finish up.

Swim done, time to head into Grand Rapids.