Had my first open water swim up in the frozen north. It was simply wonderful to be outside and swim free!! ( no admission costs!!)
I was the only swimmer in the group (14 of us) without a wetsuit but the water temp , 68 or 19, and was surprisingly warm. We did a 80 min workout and I was toasty warm the whole time.
I noticed that focusing carefully on the smaller details of my technique has certainly paid off. And a bonus, with the clear water I could check to see those tell tale bubbles around the hand in the pull and could make corrections.
A great workout. Back in the lake tomorrow. Once acclimatized to this temp, I will move to a cooler lake and adapt to that. I know not all waters are this delightful temperature !
Looking forward to the open water season.
Parents
Former Member
Been out training in the lakes and having a great time. I have several close lakes to choose from, so each day I can choose calm vs waves! Getting plenty of wave practise in the afternoon winds.
Any ideas as to how to stop the legs from being whipped around with the waves? I am thankful for all the abs and core training I do, but it was still difficult to keep them in a good balance position at times. It is difficult to kick and stay in the rhythm of the waves. Sighting is also harder, but my training partner and I plowed our way through 8kms yesterday. Slow going, but had a ball mixing up our stroke to keep our balance and efficiency in the big chop. We needed more anchorage in the front of the catch, and at times almost had to swim catchup in order that we didn't go backwards when the waves were breaking over us. Other drills were also used when the waves kept bashing into our recovering arm. Keeping a straight line was fun, and today I can tell my right arm had to do more work than the left!!
Our 10km is this weekend on Sunday, and I am most excited about 4 USMSwho are participating with the Canadian swimmers in the event. 3 of these USMS swimmers also did the 26km or 16.25 mile marathon down the same lake last year. The lake is a beautiful 72 degrees, and the GPS'd 10km or 6.2 miles is a fantastic swim. Weather should be a bit cloudy and therefore calm.
The Marathon will take place on Aug 13th. Anyone up for this scenic cruise?? IT's a most wonderful swim and not nearly as 'long' as it sounds.
Kiwi
Been out training in the lakes and having a great time. I have several close lakes to choose from, so each day I can choose calm vs waves! Getting plenty of wave practise in the afternoon winds.
Any ideas as to how to stop the legs from being whipped around with the waves? I am thankful for all the abs and core training I do, but it was still difficult to keep them in a good balance position at times. It is difficult to kick and stay in the rhythm of the waves. Sighting is also harder, but my training partner and I plowed our way through 8kms yesterday. Slow going, but had a ball mixing up our stroke to keep our balance and efficiency in the big chop. We needed more anchorage in the front of the catch, and at times almost had to swim catchup in order that we didn't go backwards when the waves were breaking over us. Other drills were also used when the waves kept bashing into our recovering arm. Keeping a straight line was fun, and today I can tell my right arm had to do more work than the left!!
Our 10km is this weekend on Sunday, and I am most excited about 4 USMSwho are participating with the Canadian swimmers in the event. 3 of these USMS swimmers also did the 26km or 16.25 mile marathon down the same lake last year. The lake is a beautiful 72 degrees, and the GPS'd 10km or 6.2 miles is a fantastic swim. Weather should be a bit cloudy and therefore calm.
The Marathon will take place on Aug 13th. Anyone up for this scenic cruise?? IT's a most wonderful swim and not nearly as 'long' as it sounds.
Kiwi
