Hello All...
My name is Elizabeth and I have a quick question. I used to be a swimmer but haven't since high school because I do not do well with competing for time.
But I love the distance... so my question is this....
Is there long distance swimming that is more based on endurance than on time... if so, what is this called? Is this a professional event thing, or is there ameteur... What's the longest distance out there... etc. etc.
Thanks, I appreciate any comments.
In response to your question about open water swimming being different than pool swimming - VERY different! There are no lines on the bottom of lakes to keep you straight, I worked hard last year on improving my spotting technique so I could look up for the buoy and not lose any momentum, and you will swim a lot further (i.e. off course) if you get distracted and or/lost mental focus on what you are doing. This happens easily because the swims I have done are so beautiful and fun I start sight seeing. Oops. Oregon has a circuit of open water swims in the summer, my favorite is at Elk Lake in Bend, where we do a three day series of swims at different distances. Last year they tried something new, grouping us in heats for the 1000 meters, so you were with about 7-8 other people about the same speed as you, heats left the starting line 3 minutes apart. It was very tactical as the group stays together so you are constantly jockeying for position instead of having the fast group just swim away from you.
In response to your question about open water swimming being different than pool swimming - VERY different! There are no lines on the bottom of lakes to keep you straight, I worked hard last year on improving my spotting technique so I could look up for the buoy and not lose any momentum, and you will swim a lot further (i.e. off course) if you get distracted and or/lost mental focus on what you are doing. This happens easily because the swims I have done are so beautiful and fun I start sight seeing. Oops. Oregon has a circuit of open water swims in the summer, my favorite is at Elk Lake in Bend, where we do a three day series of swims at different distances. Last year they tried something new, grouping us in heats for the 1000 meters, so you were with about 7-8 other people about the same speed as you, heats left the starting line 3 minutes apart. It was very tactical as the group stays together so you are constantly jockeying for position instead of having the fast group just swim away from you.
