Hello fishies :agree:
I am considering going to the Lake Mead 10k OW championships in Vegas but am worried about the water temp. I don't have much natural insulation :P the website says it's about 74 degrees.
Have others done this race? Do you get cold?
Would a full bodysuit (wetsuits are not allowed, but I was thinking of getting a Fastskin sort of suit) aid in warmth? How else can you keep yourself warm?
I've done almost all of my OW swimming in a lake in Maine that I think is probably about 74* and I tend to get chilled around the 2 hr mark, so this water temp/this distance are worrying me... but I would like to do it.
No pools around here are that cold, so I can't test my tolerance to it... unless anyone has some other ideas about how to test it...
tc
See: www.nws.noaa.gov/.../validProds.php
LATEST LAKE INFORMATION
LAKE MEAD WATER TEMPERATURE AT 3 FEET . . . . . . . . 62 DEGREES
LAKE MEAD WATER TEMPERATURE AT 10 FEET . . . . . . . . 59 DEGREES
(Keep in mind that, a little while ago, this water was snow).
Also: www.nps.gov/.../weather.htm
"Water temperatures may range from 45 degrees F. to 85 degrees F. at different times of the year."
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avg Temperature
44
48
55
65
74
82
89
87
80
67
53
46
Huh, I wonder where they got the 74 degrees from (that's what it says on the website).
I appreciate the hints for swimming in cold water. 65 degrees I definitely could not do... you all can swim for 3ish hours in water that cold?! Holy moly.
Rob asked about Maine lakes - they're mid 70s in the middle of the summer.
Are some of you registered for this race?
I would have thought most lakes in Maine would be generally colder than 74F. Is this just a guess or did you measure the temperatures?
As for dealing with colder water, the best method is to acclimate by training in cold water. A non-wetsuit full body swimsuit doesn’t really keep you warmer during your swim, but it helps a little pre-race on windy days. You will get a little warming with a dark suit on a sunny day. Otherwise, the best way to stay warm is to burn calories by swimming vigorously and if possible kick a little harder (I’ve found that working the larger leg muscles helps some people feel warmer).
Everyone reacts differently to cold water and it isn’t just about body fat, so be careful about the the advice you take. For example, for me 74F is not cold, 54F is cold but bearable for a couple of hours, albeit I do have plenty of natural insulation.
You mentioned you get chilled around the 2 hour mark; chilled meaning feeling cold or shivering uncontrollably? Are you taking any breaks or swimming at race pace? Are you feeding during these swims? What did you eat pre-swim? Was your body warmed-up before starting the swim? What is the air temp and time of day? There are lots of factors to consider.
So with all these caveats, my suggestion is to train for the distance and get to the venue a day or 2 early to train in the lake (and hit Vegas), then pre-race eat a warming meal (I like pre-race oatmeal) and stay warm. Then have fun in the swim!
Everyone reacts differently to cold water and it isn’t just about body fat, so be careful about the the advice you take. For example, for me 74F is not cold, 54F is cold but bearable for a couple of hours, albeit I do have plenty of natural insulation.
True, but I have a feeling most people would consider 74 to be close to ideal if not a little on the warm side.
I believe neoprene caps are allowed (but you should check to be sure). These can make quite a bit of difference.
True, but I have a feeling most people would consider 74 to be close to ideal if not a little on the warm side.
The YMCA where I swim has had some ongoing issues with their pool water/air heating system the past few weeks. Something called a "Dectron"? At any rate, the net effect is that the pool has been a couple degrees cooler than their target. I'd guess it's in the 75-77 range, where they normally aim for 78-81. The aquatics director kept sending out emails apologizing for the continued cool temps. I responded to every mail telling her I loved it! I'm sure the noodlers in the Power Splash class were not amused by the lower temps. It was enough of a problem that they got Northwestern to accept Y swimmers at their pool. This is a pool whose thermostat is set more for the men's and women's teams. I can't imagine it was a whole lot warmer than the Y's pool during this whole episode. :-)
Nobody has done this race before. This year is the first one. They have held an 8K there in October a few times and I assume the water was even warmer then but I have not done that swim.
I am worried about the water temperature too: I am worried about being too hot, and about getting dehydrated from sweating. The sun will be out and the air will be warm and I intend to swim strong. I have a hard time believing that anyone who is swimming seriously rather than just floating around will be at risk of being too cold in 74F water in the desert in May.
You can't wear a full body suit. Just as in the pool, your suit can't go past your knees. (Look at USMS Rule 303.7.)
Aside from having practiced in advance in similar water, my best ways to stay warm when staying warm is an issue are, in this order, (1) keeping moving, (2) wearing earplugs, (3) wearing a neoprene cap, and (4) eating during the swim.
