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
Parents
Former Member
We have a number of marathon swimmers in my area. I know one that will siwm 20 miles a week before a marathon race, others that taper over a month, avoiding all swimming in the last week all with great results. Your own body and age seem to have a large part to play. The older i get the more taper I need. I find my speed is impacted over large milage accumulatoons and in the coming years I plan to do more interval work in the taper week(s). What I suggest is you use some of your longer training swims to practice tapering. This should give you some idea of how your body responds. Since you have a long period of training ahead, it might be worth the small losses in training time (and the occasional taper might head off over use injuries anyway).
We have a number of marathon swimmers in my area. I know one that will siwm 20 miles a week before a marathon race, others that taper over a month, avoiding all swimming in the last week all with great results. Your own body and age seem to have a large part to play. The older i get the more taper I need. I find my speed is impacted over large milage accumulatoons and in the coming years I plan to do more interval work in the taper week(s). What I suggest is you use some of your longer training swims to practice tapering. This should give you some idea of how your body responds. Since you have a long period of training ahead, it might be worth the small losses in training time (and the occasional taper might head off over use injuries anyway).
