Big Shoulders

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:14:07 GMT

I didn't have trouble with the second buoy. (Maybe I caught one of the few easier waves). What surprised me (besides how high the waves were) was the last leg of the swim, near the sea wall. I thought that would be a piece of cake, with the waves helping push you along to the finish line. No such luck! A couple times my legs came right out of the water kicking. This years was the worst open water swim conditions I've ever done. And I'm proud to say, I SURVIVED!! JIM

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 06:29:34 GMT

Well I haven't swum the Big Shoulders 5K yet, but I keep putting it on my calendar every year (only to scratch it off for one reason or another).....Maybe next year will be my year? Congrats to all who swam this year!!....Sounded very brutal from the description given both on the Big Shoulders Website and from the testimonies given here. Kirk seems to have established himself as an elite open water swimmer now with 2 back to back strong performances....Congrats Kirk! ....AND my old friend Jim Dugan (from high school...way way back) appears to be back in top form again! He won the event back in 2000 and then disappeared for 5 years....He seemed to do o.k. though for being out for so long ....coming in 3rd with a time of 1:01.05. Newmastersswimmer

RE: Big Shoulders

knelson — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 02:46:19 GMT

Originally posted by newmastersswimmer Kirk seems to have established himself as an elite open water swimmer now with 2 back to back strong performances....Congrats Kirk! I wouldn't go quite that far, but thanks Jim!

RE: Big Shoulders

knelson — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 11:15:46 GMT

Originally posted by totalswimm George Wendt, who won the 55-59 age group in a very impressive 1:10 No, not the George Wendt who starred as Norm on Cheers for anyone who's wondering :) Actually I think this George and the Cheers George are related, though. My friend who also swam called that second buoy (the one between the second and third legs) "the washing machine." I agree. That one was tough to get around. On the second lap there were a lot of people kind of stuck within 10 meters of that buoy really struggling to get around it.

RE: Big Shoulders

mattson — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 07:47:25 GMT

Originally posted by knelson No, not the George Wendt who starred as Norm on Cheers for anyone who's wondering :) Actually I think this George and the Cheers George are related, though. They are related. I played water polo at Brown with (swimming) George's son, Dan. That whole family is fast in the water!

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 07:14:49 GMT

I'm proud to dsay I survived my first Big Shoulders. Thanks to everyone with the great advice. I really enjoyed myself and can't wait until next year. The second buoy WAS really hard. I felt sorry for the 5K people who had to do that one twice. Thanks again.

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 05:39:19 GMT

Wow, my 1:19.22 looks a lot more impressive than I first thought. I was over 2.5 minutes faster than last year, and 30 seconds faster than 2004. Conditions were much more favorable both years. And, as if I needed more proof I'm in an evil, competitive age group. My time got me 19th in 45-49, and would have been the same in 40-44. However, I'd have medaled in either 35-39 or 50-54. And, do NOT get me started about NQTs! Terry, great to meet you face to face and shake your hand. Also, you looked terrific shooting past me the second time around the "washing machine" buoy. (Indeed, I thought the swells were 2-3 feet at that point.) Thanks again to the organizers. It's always fun to see the UIC swim team turn out, and marvel that anyone that young would be caught dead running an event for us old fogies. Matt

RE: Big Shoulders

fatboy — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 11:39:43 GMT

Grey skies and choppy waters made Big Shoulders a little more challenging this year. What a ride! I did the 5K this year after swimming the 2.5K the last two years. Taking the turn to start the second lap I thought I might have been smarter to have done the shorter distance again this year. Kirk, I don't know how you swam faster this year - that is impressive.

RE: Big Shoulders

knelson — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 03:03:59 GMT

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.

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 14:41:58 GMT

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

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 11:30:26 GMT

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

RE: Big Shoulders

beireland — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 10:57:54 GMT

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

RE: Big Shoulders

Wild William — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 05:34:44 GMT

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

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 15:04:46 GMT

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

RE: Big Shoulders

knelson — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:00:04 GMT

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!

RE: Big Shoulders

fatboy — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:27:29 GMT

Craig, Montgomery is west of Chicago near Aurora.

RE: Big Shoulders

fatboy — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:23:12 GMT

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!

RE: Big Shoulders

Former Member — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:02:59 GMT

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.