Hi folk,
First off, anyone here familiar with the Great South Bay Swim?
Obviously, this year would be out even if the entries weren't closed, since my swimming distance lately is pretty modest. I swim about 3-4 days/week, but not far (1000-2000 yards or if feeling ambitious and have time, up to maybe 2200-2300).
I've done one mile open water swims in bays and oceans, not fast (38ish mins. was fastest). This swim is 5.25 miles, so I suspect it would be a reach to be able to swim this next year... but out of the question? Or would it be better to plan for two years? I also run regularly--about five days/week, including two interval workouts, long run of abt. 2.5 hrs--so I'm generally fit, if not speedy.
So, first question: do you recommend making this a two years from now goal or do you think next year is doable? Second, can you suggest some good training plans?
Note: although I'm currently swimming on my own, I expect to return to the masters' group I swam with during the winter/spring. (They change their location/time in the summer...doesn't fit my schedule). As for type of workout, I'm more or less winging it, depending on how much time I have to swim on any given day. The USMS site has yielded some helpful workouts, and my coach also e-mailed me a bunch of practices of different distances, but I suspect I'll need a more organized month-by-month plan to get from here to a 5.25 mile swim next year or the year after.
Parents
Former Member
Sandra -
Sorry not to get back quicker. WRT your questions:
1) I don't think that the Rainbow Channel race has a time limit per se, but it might depend on the direction of the tide. If the tide is going out, you would have it with you for the first half of the race and against you for the second half. Also, I believe that it would get tougher as time went on since they usually time the start around slack-ish tide. You can contact the race director, Polly Thieler, who is a very nice person, via the web page for the race, which is:
www.rainbowchannelchallenge.com/
2) The water at the September Splash, while not tropical, isn't all that cold. Last year it was probably 72-73, if memory serves me correctly. There are people in your size range (some are kids, too) at the race without a wetsuit. BTW, two slightly icky things about this race: a) There is dog waste everywhere in the park area that this races starts/ends at - watch where you step. b) The finish has some broken concrete under the water that you can't always see. I got several cuts on my feet last year.
3) Hotels & driving: It really depends on the race and what else is going on in my life. The Atlantic City area is about 3-3.5 hours away from my house, so I often get up at 3:30, leave by 4:00 and get there by 7:00. I did this for the September Splash last year and got there at about 7:15 or so. Because I am an extreme morning person, this is no great hardship. The other thing is that hotels in that part of the world aren't exactly cheap unless you luck into something. If I have to go the night before, I will either camp or will stay at the Red Carpet Inn in Williamstown, which is 30 minutes away from AC and about 40 minutes from the Rainbow Channel race. The September Splash, however, would be farther still. This is not the greatest motel in the world, but I've never had any hassle there either.
Hope that helps.
-LBJ
Sandra -
Sorry not to get back quicker. WRT your questions:
1) I don't think that the Rainbow Channel race has a time limit per se, but it might depend on the direction of the tide. If the tide is going out, you would have it with you for the first half of the race and against you for the second half. Also, I believe that it would get tougher as time went on since they usually time the start around slack-ish tide. You can contact the race director, Polly Thieler, who is a very nice person, via the web page for the race, which is:
www.rainbowchannelchallenge.com/
2) The water at the September Splash, while not tropical, isn't all that cold. Last year it was probably 72-73, if memory serves me correctly. There are people in your size range (some are kids, too) at the race without a wetsuit. BTW, two slightly icky things about this race: a) There is dog waste everywhere in the park area that this races starts/ends at - watch where you step. b) The finish has some broken concrete under the water that you can't always see. I got several cuts on my feet last year.
3) Hotels & driving: It really depends on the race and what else is going on in my life. The Atlantic City area is about 3-3.5 hours away from my house, so I often get up at 3:30, leave by 4:00 and get there by 7:00. I did this for the September Splash last year and got there at about 7:15 or so. Because I am an extreme morning person, this is no great hardship. The other thing is that hotels in that part of the world aren't exactly cheap unless you luck into something. If I have to go the night before, I will either camp or will stay at the Red Carpet Inn in Williamstown, which is 30 minutes away from AC and about 40 minutes from the Rainbow Channel race. The September Splash, however, would be farther still. This is not the greatest motel in the world, but I've never had any hassle there either.
Hope that helps.
-LBJ
