Postal 1 hour

I'm doing my first one in two weeks. Any tips from the veterans? I'm shooting for 5,000 yards which I think works out to about a 1:12 pace per 100. Good luck! Let us know how it goes! Last year I did 5080 (if I'm remembering correctly). I had to stop briefly with 10 minutes to spare b/c I had leg cramps. Drank some water and continued on. I believe I did not hydrate and fuel up properly. My coach said I should have hydrated beginning the day or two before! Makes sense now to me. I recommend the endurance drink of your choice. I also had my counter give me colored kickboard signals at 15 minute intervals to know if I was on pace or not (red if I was off pace or blue if I was on pace). This helped me tremendously as I divided up the swim into 4 15 minute segments (mentally). Seemed shorter that way. I also positioned myself so I could see the digital clock when coming off the walls. Basically, I knew that I was on pace and how many laps I had done (was also shooting for 5000). Oh, and I had done some 30 minute swims the months prior. I must say the 60 minute swim is MUCH more challenging. Okay, I'll be honest. Was grueling but very worth it as my pain tolerance really increased as a result of doing this swim. The 1000 now seems very doable!

I'm doing my first one in two weeks. Any tips from the veterans? I'm shooting for 5,000 yards which I think works out to about a 1:12 pace per 100. Good luck! Let us know how it goes! Last year I did 5080 (if I'm remembering correctly). I had to stop briefly with 10 minutes to spare b/c I had leg cramps. Drank some water and continued on. I believe I did not hydrate and fuel up properly. My coach said I should have hydrated beginning the day or two before! Makes sense now to me. I recommend the endurance drink of your choice. I also had my counter give me colored kickboard signals at 15 minute intervals to know if I was on pace or not (red if I was off pace or blue if I was on pace). This helped me tremendously as I divided up the swim into 4 15 minute segments (mentally). Seemed shorter that way. I also positioned myself so I could see the digital clock when coming off the walls. Basically, I knew that I was on pace and how many laps I had done (was also shooting for 5000). Oh, and I had done some 30 minute swims the months prior. I must say the 60 minute swim is MUCH more challenging. Okay, I'll be honest. Was grueling but very worth it as my pain tolerance really increased as a result of doing this swim. The 1000 now seems very doable!