I HATE jumping into a cold pool; sure, call me a whimp, but anyway ... Does anyone have suggestions to combat this? I seem to recall that English Channel swimmers used to coat themselves with something (Vaseline?) to protect themselves from the extreme conditions of the channel. Is there a strategy that someone could share with me? Do body suits help?
Thanks for the advice. You can email me direct with an answer if you want at PeoriaBums@aol.com.
I don’t recommend coating yourself in Vaseline, channel grease or other goop, to stay warm in the water. First, most cold water swimmer’s use these substances more to prevent chaffing than for warmth (there is very little thermal protection in the water from a thin layer of goop). Second, it can be a mess to get on and take off. Third, the pool operators might frown on a swimmer covered in Crisco (maybe, that’s why Shakies pool smells like fried chicken).
And if it makes you feel better, most of us don’t like to jump into a cold pool I combat this by getting in a good warm-up and knowing that I’d rather get warmed-up in a cold pool than overheated in a hot one.
I read a coach once (Doc Counsilman, I think) who said that if a pool is comfortable when you first get in, it's too warm. Once you get started working hard, the warm water will make you tired and overheated very fast -- it doesn't make for a good quality workout.
On the other hand if it's still not comfortable after a warm-up, it's too cold :D .
Originally posted by KenChertoff
I read a coach once (Doc Counsilman, I think) who said that if a pool is comfortable when you first get in, it's too warm. Once you get started working hard, the warm water will make you tired and overheated very fast -- it doesn't make for a good quality workout.
I wholeheartedly agree with this!!
It is lousy to get into cold water - but you just gotta do it.
The Y where I swim is cold one day, warm the next. Keeps it interesting - I don't know what to expect!
Try wearing a swim cap. There a whole lot of difference in warmth with and without a cap. Also some ear plugs to keep the cold water out , or a tight seal cap. Most of the warmth leaves your body thru the head. Easy and cheap no mess in the pool .
cold water cap pages
www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
or for surfers windsurfers swimmers
www.geocities.com/.../kayakcaps.html
If it wasn't for the coach or a fellow swimmer pushing me in from time to time, I would miss warm up all the time. Cold water sucks... but its the only thing I can work out in.
Just how cold is that pool? It can't be *that* cold???
When it feels cold, I hop in and crank out the first lap or two. that gets me warm then I don't notice the water temperature any more.
You can tolerate the feel of the temperture change for a minute or two, can't you? Just remember, it goes away, so focus on something else the first lap or two. The more you think about how 'cold the pool feels' the colder it's gonna feel.
This might be a good application for the visualizations and mental exercises from the other thread.
If the pool is of reasonable healthy temperature, jsut train yourself to ignore the first couple cool laps. It shall pass.
We practice in an outdoor pool, and at 5 AM it's often not any warmer than 38-45F. It's getting out of the pool that I dread.
Getting out of 40F weather and into a 75-80F degree pool is not-a-problem!
