Hi friends,
I am trying to get information from any of you who have done some very long ocean swims. I have one planned that will be 18 miles. I am reasonably confident at the training required, although any suggestions for that would also be welcome.
I plan on swimming upwards of 40 to 50 miles a week for it, regularly. I also plan on a long swim once a month (10 miles) and two weeks for recovery from that distance until my body understands that this will be a regular thing. On the 10 mile swims, one way will be with current, the return will be against it (can't wait!!).
My biggest question comes to the tapering for the 18 miler. How soon, what distances, etc., etc.
Any advice, other than seeing a mental counselor for my "temporary insanity" at choosing something like this at age 60, would be helpful!!!
Donna
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Former Member
Thank you, Solar, for your suggestions and advice. I live in the western caribbean so the ocean temperatures are warm. But there may be waves, of course, if the wind blows a lot and it meets current which creates waves. But I swim in the triathlon here every March (only 1 mile), and when we have had more stormy seas, I seem to do better in that condition.
I've done one 23 mile swim but back in the mid-90s and I basically only swam about 3 to 6 miles a day for it. It didn't seem to be much of a problem when I did it, but now another decade has gone by (aging), and I just wanted to gather more info and advice.
I am now my own coach given my extensive background, but I think the most important thing is to, again, listen to my body and be on the lookout for any physical problems that may be creeping up.
I am amazed that your LD crowd does that kind of mileage, lord, that is a lot. I am amazed that you think I may not need to taper much and I will certainly keep that in mind when the time comes (as well as probably re-write again about it for advice when I can give more accurate mileage numbers).
Thank you so much for responding. After 3 months off of swimming, I am starting at the bottom again, but this time I will continue my conditioninig until the time of the swim. No more lay-offs; it is too hard to come back!!
Donna
Thank you, Solar, for your suggestions and advice. I live in the western caribbean so the ocean temperatures are warm. But there may be waves, of course, if the wind blows a lot and it meets current which creates waves. But I swim in the triathlon here every March (only 1 mile), and when we have had more stormy seas, I seem to do better in that condition.
I've done one 23 mile swim but back in the mid-90s and I basically only swam about 3 to 6 miles a day for it. It didn't seem to be much of a problem when I did it, but now another decade has gone by (aging), and I just wanted to gather more info and advice.
I am now my own coach given my extensive background, but I think the most important thing is to, again, listen to my body and be on the lookout for any physical problems that may be creeping up.
I am amazed that your LD crowd does that kind of mileage, lord, that is a lot. I am amazed that you think I may not need to taper much and I will certainly keep that in mind when the time comes (as well as probably re-write again about it for advice when I can give more accurate mileage numbers).
Thank you so much for responding. After 3 months off of swimming, I am starting at the bottom again, but this time I will continue my conditioninig until the time of the swim. No more lay-offs; it is too hard to come back!!
Donna
