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
Don't apologize Leonard, you got back to me very quickly! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all my questions: I really appreciate that amd yes, it does help a lot.
I'll email Polly Thieler about the time limit question. Looking at the start time and awards time and the awards time, it would seem that only 1 hour 45 minutes is available, but then again, they could let the slowpokes finish after the awards begin (I won't be winning any of those; at 2.6 miles I'd be delighted with a last place finish).
Saw that you won your age group last year - Congratulations! That is awesome.
Thanks for letting me know about the Sept. Splash. It's so much better to know about things like the concrete in advance (why can't these people pick up after their dogs? that's just part of having one). And if I can handle about 68 degrees for one mile, I should be OK with anything over 70 for two miles.
If I could do both races, that would be a nice end to my first summer of open water swimming since being a kid at the beach. Are you doing the RBC again? Both of them? It would be great to see you there (and I'd try not to deluge you with too many more dumb newbie questions...)
Sandra
Don't apologize Leonard, you got back to me very quickly! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all my questions: I really appreciate that amd yes, it does help a lot.
I'll email Polly Thieler about the time limit question. Looking at the start time and awards time and the awards time, it would seem that only 1 hour 45 minutes is available, but then again, they could let the slowpokes finish after the awards begin (I won't be winning any of those; at 2.6 miles I'd be delighted with a last place finish).
Saw that you won your age group last year - Congratulations! That is awesome.
Thanks for letting me know about the Sept. Splash. It's so much better to know about things like the concrete in advance (why can't these people pick up after their dogs? that's just part of having one). And if I can handle about 68 degrees for one mile, I should be OK with anything over 70 for two miles.
If I could do both races, that would be a nice end to my first summer of open water swimming since being a kid at the beach. Are you doing the RBC again? Both of them? It would be great to see you there (and I'd try not to deluge you with too many more dumb newbie questions...)
Sandra
