I have never swam in an open water event. I started swimming again in january in a 25 meter pool. I can comfortable swim 1500 meters in 24 minutes (no flip turns). Realizing open water has tides/currents etc. I am attempting to calculate what I might be able to swim a mile in open water. Any thoughts? Also, how many meters should I be training on a weekly basis to swim 4.4 miles. I am 46. Thanks..
Bill,
In addition to tides, currents, wind, waves your open water time is effected by how straight you navigate and how efficiently you site the course. Some veteran open water swimmers will swim nearly as fast in open water as they do in pools, maybe 2 to 4% slower. Newer open water swimmers typically break stroke to site and don’t always maintain a straight course, both of these will add to time to the swim, maybe as much as 20 to 30%.
It sounds like you are getting ready for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge swim. If it is are you planning on wearing a wetsuit? And you wear a wetsuit, you need to practice in it to see where you chafe, and make sure to use BodyGlide or similar stuff to prevent chafing.
As for workouts, if your goal is to complete the swim, I would suggest swimming at least 3 to 4 times per week with one of those a long workout, around 6,000 to 8,000 yards. If you are not able to go that far, yet, then work your way up to it.
Also, I would suggest that as soon as weather permits; get in one workout per week in open water. I know a few people who can swim for miles in a pool (with open turns or flip turns) and find it difficult to complete a mile in open water. The little rest at each turn does make a noticeable difference.
Good Luck
Bill,
In addition to tides, currents, wind, waves your open water time is effected by how straight you navigate and how efficiently you site the course. Some veteran open water swimmers will swim nearly as fast in open water as they do in pools, maybe 2 to 4% slower. Newer open water swimmers typically break stroke to site and don’t always maintain a straight course, both of these will add to time to the swim, maybe as much as 20 to 30%.
It sounds like you are getting ready for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge swim. If it is are you planning on wearing a wetsuit? And you wear a wetsuit, you need to practice in it to see where you chafe, and make sure to use BodyGlide or similar stuff to prevent chafing.
As for workouts, if your goal is to complete the swim, I would suggest swimming at least 3 to 4 times per week with one of those a long workout, around 6,000 to 8,000 yards. If you are not able to go that far, yet, then work your way up to it.
Also, I would suggest that as soon as weather permits; get in one workout per week in open water. I know a few people who can swim for miles in a pool (with open turns or flip turns) and find it difficult to complete a mile in open water. The little rest at each turn does make a noticeable difference.
Good Luck
