Have you ever signed a waiver that included the following:
I AM AWARE THAT OCEAN SWIMMING IS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY IN AN UNCONTROLLED OPEN COURSE ENVIRONMENT AND CARRIES WITH IT THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I HEREBY AGREE TO ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EVENT AND ALL ACTIVITIES INCIDENT THERETO INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: EXTREME PHYSICAL EXERTION, CONTACT WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS, ROCKS, EVENT EQUIPMENT, WATERCRAFT, POWERBOATS WITH PROPELLERS, DANGEROUS SEA ANIMALS, POLLUTION, OIL FROM OIL PLATFORMS OR SEEPAGE, EFFECTS OF WEATHER AND COLD WATER…
Did you catch that key phrase…DANGEROUS SEA ANIMALS???
I just signed such a waiver, thereby signing myself over to the Great Whites in order to do a 2.2 mile ocean swim from Santa Claus Lane to Carpinteria. Honestly, when I’m not thinking about sharks (which is 50% of the time) ocean swimming is quite enjoyable. It’s like when I’m asleep on an airplane, flying is actually enjoyable. Right now I’d much rather swim in the ocean than fly in an airplane, though both events scare me to death. (I force myself to partake in both ocean swimming and flying for various reasons; however, during these activities, I do go into panic mode every 10 minutes or so.) F likes to remind me of the statistics. That is, both are highly unlikely ways to die — check out this article: Most Feared But Unlikely Ways to Die — but this worrywart can’t stop stressing about them anyway.
A Slice of Wife 
Oh…I hear you! My friend Alex is having the same dilemma for her Naragansett swim that’s coming right up!
I can totally relate! I just wrote a blog post about the same thing a few days ago. I’m about to do a 1.2 mile ocean swim for a tri relay in the fall. My obsession though had turned into what if I have my period. Forget me! What is anyone else has their period!