Big Shoulders

We're 45 miles west (and a little) south of Chicago. Thanks for all the encouragement. I hope I get to meet you next week.

You should be fine. I was a very mediocre HS swimmer. I was off for at least 15 years before I started swimming again. I swam the 2.5K the last two years. The first year I had only been back swimming about 3-4 months and was doing 2000 yds max per workout 3x/wk. I was very close to last but there were a handful of people behind me. This year I will be doing the 5k just to finish. I enter open water and master meets just for motivation to keep working out. There is a break-water protecting the beach where Big Shoulders is held. This limits the amount of chop in the water. I think you will be fine. Enjoy your swim!

Craig, Montgomery is west of Chicago near Aurora.

My advice is don't worry about it. You'll do fine. Don't worry about the gung-ho swimmers at the start. Let them do their thing and just establish your pace and look for open water to swim in. I think you'll find things open up pretty quickly after the start. I've done the swim a couple times before and just decided yesterday to do it again this year. It's a fun event!

Megan, Where is Montgomery, IL? I've never heard of it.

I too am doing the Big Shoulders for the first time this year with a goal of finishing. My niece decided it was something we should do. Getting excited as it draws near. ww

These are all good comments. The only things I would add is that the race divided up its start last year into many divisions so the start was not as crowded as it had been. Second thing--if you want to avoid physical contact, swim wider around the buoys rather than closer. The more competitive swimmers will angle closer into them and there may be some jostling for inside position. You can avoid that by swimming 3 feet off the buoy. Good luck. Its a very well done event

Hi Megan, I did Big Shoulders last year for the first time. (I'm doing it again this year!) It was an interesting experience. Here would be my advice: The start is in the water. Everybody lines up by a starting bouy. Stay toward the back of that pack. Take off and swim at your own pace. That way you won't have to worry about those who are too eager running you over. Something I didn't realize would be all the other swimmers (from other divisions) passing me. (not that I'm that fast). There'll probably be always be alot of people around you alot of the time. Some bumping and such is normal. Most of all, try not to stress it too much. Have fun! :) JIM

Terry, Delighted to hear you'll be in Chicago this weekend. This will be my 5th year in a row for Big Shoulders. I'd like to shake your hand and chat face to face. As you will see on Saturday, the race is a zoo, and finding old friends can be a challenge. I'll make you an offer, I'll wear a white Total Immersion swim cap if you will too (that is, during the prerace period. You gots to wear the cap they give you during the race.) Deal? Matt

I just got home from Chicago. Wow, pretty difficult conditions! Somehow I swam a little faster this year even though it was very rough out there. Once again a great event by the organizers.