Is this stupid to do?

Former Member
Former Member
I *think* I know the answer to this but I wanted to confirm - Getting ready to swim the 25K USMS OW swim next Saturday. And yeah, yeah, I know everyone on here is going to say that doing the 25 is crazy. But it will be done. :wiggle: Insert loco smiley here. I also signed up for USA-S GA Senior State meet which is 5 days after the 25K. The meet is the following Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Is it just asking for an injury to race that soon after the 25K? I've never done that kind of distance before. Or can I swim a couple of events (I will scratch finals) if I feel fine and nothing is hurting me? Or should I just expect to feel terrible for a week after the swim? I've never been in better shape in my life. That's probably a good thing with the 25K coming up. Thanks!
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Kirk, it's been so long since I've been "trashed." Not looking forward to it! :frustrated: Heather, I see what you are saying. Better to err on being more conservative. 4 days!? Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. I could never run a marathon.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    You're Special K remember, you can do it! I think like others fatigue not injury is the worry. that said. rest before, take a diligent approach to your diet in the recovery period. Green tea, bananas, maybe some supplements to help recovery. Don't idle but limit days between the two events to some EZ stretchy type of swimming or other exercise. Awwww. . . thanks Stud. :) I've adopted a new diet (5 weeks ago) complete with recovery drinks. What's crazy is that I've had some of the best practices of my life since my change in diet - and I feel amazing. I've adapted well to swimming with the kids now. But. . . this 25er is a different animal. Hey are you doing Colonies LCM Zone meet?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Kristina I have raced a 28 miler on Saturday and the following Tuesday a 25 miler. We used to race every week anywhere from 10 miles to 32 miles from July1st til Nov 15th. One 10 miler, one 15 miler, a couple of 21 milers, the rest of the races were 25 miles or over.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Kristina I have raced a 28 miler on Saturday and the following Tuesday a 25 miler. We used to race every week anywhere from 10 miles to 32 miles from July1st til Nov 15th. One 10 miler, one 15 miler, a couple of 21 milers, the rest of the races were 25 miles or over. First, that's amazing!!! Second, I don't think that I'm in as good a shape that you were at that time. BUT, I will have my B70, personal escort, and food/ hydration. I'm a pansy.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Awwww. . . thanks Stud. :) I've adopted a new diet (5 weeks ago) complete with recovery drinks. What's crazy is that I've had some of the best practices of my life since my change in diet - and I feel amazing. I've adapted well to swimming with the kids now. But. . . this 25er is a different animal. Hey are you doing Colonies LCM Zone meet? I'll be at zones yeah. Why will that lure you north? ;)
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I've adopted a new diet (5 weeks ago) complete with recovery drinks. What's crazy is that I've had some of the best practices of my life since my change in diet - and I feel amazing. What's your new diet, and how does it compare to your old one?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I'll be at zones yeah. Why will that lure you north? ;) Stud, if you are there . . . who could resist?! :agree::agree:
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Good luck with both! Personally, I'd go for both but judge how you feel and possibly skip the kids meet. Thank you Alison! That's pretty much what I was thinking initially. How's Jennifer these days? Is she competing in any tris?
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    The race is 15.3 miles long, it should take any where from 6 to 7 hours for most good swimmers.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I have a friend that used to do this swim and others that were MUCH longer. He was a 1650 NCAA finalist and was training 40-50k yards/week at the time in his early 30s. My feedback is based on how well he got back into it when we trained together. You will need about 2 weeks to recover and do anything other than easy-moderate effort as far as practice. It is not the yardage as much as that the pool yardage is interval training and OW is OW..... no walls.... no stopping (maybe a little stopping for snacks with a long one like that). You can always go to the meet, but don't expect much. Usually effected my friend 2-5 seconds per 100, so if it is still value added to attend a meet and go that much slower, then feel free. Ouch! Thanks Big Al. Woa! And I'm NO ex-NCAA swimmer - much less a finalist. Thanks. Sort of like the reverse effect of the B70! Swim a 25K to add time to your meets. :lmao: Colonies Zones anyone? Fort, you need to swim the 200 fly. It would be the only event that I *might* not get killed in. Crud! Did you know the kids are taking 3 weeks off in August? Not sure where the heck I'm going to train. And then I need a break! Gah! I'll feel lucky if I finish in 6.5 hours. Am planning fuel and hydration for 8. Diet/ fuel changes over the past 5 weeks or so - Just stopped using Gatorade and started using the Hammer products that I'll use in the OW swim. Specifically, I use Recoverite Recovery drink (it's really great); Heed sports drink; Hammer Gels; Sustained Energy paste also from Hammer. I've had great practices using this stuff. I also throw in endurolytes (electrolyte replacement) into the sports drink to prevent cramping.