Too ambitious a goal?

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:30:08 GMT

InnerFish, Wow, your first open water mile sounds so much like mine! I've never been on a swim team or done any masters swimming or any training with any group, for that matter. The Jack King swim was my first race of any kind (so it's not surprising I finished last). I really need to train more systematically. There's a group at the Y that meets at 5:45am, but I'm not much of a morning person, and it doesn't fit my schedule right now, though that will change, at least for a while, by the end of Aug. I'll have to check them out. Other than basic swimming lessons as a kid, I've never had any coaching, so obviously I have a lot to learn. Every summer as a kid at the beach with my family, I always wanted to swim out way too far. Once when I swam parallel to shore and we measured the distance with the car and it was two miles. That and the one mile last month is the extent of my open water experience. So I know absolutely nothing, too. It's great that everyone here has been so patient with my dumb questions. I wish I could make it to all of the swims on the east coast (that is, the ones I have a chance of finishing), but like you, time and $$ and family will inevitably get in the way. Oh well, for the ones I can't make this year, there is always next year, and then I'll get an earlier start. This year I did the Jack King as sort of on impulse, but now I want to do more and more and try new distances and challenges. I don't care where I finish or if my time is veeery sloooow, I'm just gonna enter and enjoy myself and set the goal of going the distance. The Sept. Splash start sounds like the Jack King start. You have to swim out past the buoy and start from there, then round the buoy at the end and swim to shore and run to the finish line on the beach. The water felt really cold while treading water waiting for the start, but once I got going it didn't bother me that much. And even before that I got in the water and swam a little to try to get somewhat acclimated to the cold. I'm glad your running injury healed. Maybe someday I'll work up to the 8K distance. After I strained my shoulder, for about two weeks I didn't swim at all but ran (actually jogged) a 5K six days a week, and that reverse cross training seemed to work. There's a Run Swim Run next week (I think) in VA Beach, a 1K beach run, 1K ocean swim, 5K boardwalk run. I don't think I'm ready for it as doing just the 5K was a challenge, but maybe next year. And maybe next year for the Great South Bay Swim, if I can get ready for it by then, get a kayaker (no idea how to go about doing that), and get it all organized. I went to their website and it looks like a great swim. Another goal: if I don't get in the Chesapeake Bay Swim, then I'll do the Swim for Life (either 3, 4, or 5 miles, I'll decide when the time comes). Always something else to look forward to... Sandra

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 06:56:56 GMT

It would be totally cool if we could do that one together! I just found out about the Swim for Life from reading old posts here (had I known earlier, I'd have tried it this year). It's in Chestertown, MD, in the Chester River, and you can choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mile swim. They want $100 in pledges, but there's no registration fee, and it's for a good cause, people with HIV/AIDS. It's a much smaller event than the Chesapeake Bay swim, and they feed you after the race... www.swimdcac.org/.../swim4life.html Maybe I'll wind up doing that one next year instead of the Chesapeake Bay Swim, which fills up very fast. Yesterday a guy at the track club who did it this year said that the Bay Swim filled up 15 minutes after online registrations opened. Sandra

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:12:39 GMT

So, Sandra, you're thinking of the Cross bay swim... that would be cool... guess I'd BETTER get all trained for it, in that case! btw, they have an internet forum for that event, and people offer their services as kayakers, so that's one possibility. What is the Swim for Life?

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 16:13:00 GMT

Sounds great, let's both do the Sept. Splash! It would be great to see you there. As long as my daughter doesn't have some important event that Sat., (I'll know by early Sept.) I should be able to get away (I'd have to stay overnight before the race because it's about a 5 hour from here drive each way). We're about the same in the body fat department, so it's good to know that you were OK without a wetsuit. At about 68 degrees it felt cooold at first but then it felt all right and up until near the end, when I felt the cold again, it wasn't too bad. Someone (sorry I don't remember who or on what thread; I'm new here and have been gradually reading past posts) said that wearing a neoprene cap without a wetsuit worked because a lot of heat is lost through the head. Maybe I'll try that. And I'm close enough to the beach that (hopefully) I can get there once a week to swim and get more acclimated to cold water. If I'm going for the two mile, I need to pick up the training. Given the start times for the races, looks like this one allows for a 45 minute mile pace, but I don't know what my two mile pace is because in the pool I space out and lose track of time and how many laps I've done. But this looks doable. One mile or two, we'll have a great time. Maybe I'll make it two for two on finishing dead last :) which would be OK - my ultra long term goal is to be like the 82 year old man who did the 1 mile ocean swim. Now that is amazing. Not surprisingly, he got the loudest and longest applause for winning the 80+ age group!

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 10:19:48 GMT

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

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 08:29:21 GMT

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

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 07:11:35 GMT

First, Leonard, apologies for not responding to your message just before mine... I think we were writing at the same time, so I didn't catch yours. Since it was a while back when I did the Sept. Splash, I don't remember the problems Leonard mentions.... Ha ha, subconscious blocking maybe? But I did remember it was pretty calm and swimmable. The RBC swim isn't likely for me.... time and $$ this year. But I expect to be easily able to get to the Sept. Splash. My bf has been very good about coming w/ me to these swims, even tho he's not a shore person... and not having a car, I've found that very, very helpful. But I won't ask him to go w/ me the night before again unless I reserve somewhere... When I did the Plunge for Patients, we got a campground finally but it was a sheer headache to do so. I expect we'll start fr/ the Philly area early a.m. and the two mile might require an earlier start than he'll want to make. The one-miler should be manageable, however. As for the Sept. Splash, one other item I remember about it: you don't start from shore (at least not for the mile)... you have to swim out to the start... not all that far--maybe 200ish yards? I remember having gone out almost to the start and then we were all called back for some sort of meeting, then sent out again. So it felt like a lot of swimming before I even started the race. So it's good to be ready to swim more than the distance they say. I knew NOTHING about open water swimming then, absolutely NOTHING and didn't even train w/ a masters' group. I was an injured runner who badly missed competing, and since I was using swimming as a substitute for running, decided maybe I'd try a swimming race instead. It was a lot harder than I expected, but I had no regrets... actually enjoyed it despite being s-l-o-o-o-w. Learned from that experience that you can have a good time without having a "good time." (i.e. a fast time.) And that it's good to test your limits, take some risks. Once I'd recovered from the running injury, I turned my attention back to running, but a few years later, when the opportunity arose to try a masters' swim group at my local Y, I jumped at it. I won't substitute swimming for running now, but I see it as a necessary and fun component to my training.

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 16:46:29 GMT

FindingMyInnerFish, Wow, you're a marathon runner too. I can't imagine ever going that distance, though I would like eventually to work up to an 8K and maybe a 10K. How long have you been running? It's encouraging to know that the first 5K is the hardest. Before and during, I wondered why I was doing this, but afterwards it felt so good! (I feel like that on training jogs too, hard to get going, but it's great when it's over. Maybe it's the endorphin release...) Are you doing the 1 or 2 mile for the September Splash? I'm thinking of entering that one, or else the Rainbow Challenge, though both of them are a fairly long drive and I don't know if I can get away from home. Hope I can do one of them; they both look like really nice swims. I want to do the Lake Montclair swim (which is closer to home) but can't decide on what distance. They have a 1 and 2 mile swim. The time limit on the 1 mile is 60 minutes, which I know I can do, and 90 minutes on the 2 mile, which would be a bit of a stretch. (My 39 minute ocean swim was with a favorable current, although the water was cooold and the sea was rather choppy). I haven't done any lake swimming since I was a kid at summer camp, so don't know if ocean or lake is more difficult (am I a dumb newbie or what). Don't care how I place, but I really do want to finish, which makes me think the 1 mile might be better, but then again, chancing a DNF with the 2 mile would be a better preparation for the Bay Swim, so I'm tempted to go for it. Any advice on which distance I should try? Anyone?

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 11:23:47 GMT

Originally posted by sharkbait Are you doing the 1 or 2 mile for the September Splash? I'm thinking of entering that one, or else the Rainbow Challenge, though both of them are a fairly long drive and I don't know if I can get away from home. Hope I can do one of them; they both look like really nice swims. These are both good swims, although if I had to choose, I'd do the 2.6 mile Rainbow Channel race - it is a very good course. The Rainbow Channel 1 mile is not an inspiring course, however. The September Splash course isn't exciting, but it is in a protected area and it is about as close as you'd ever get to swimming in pool-like conditions and still be in salt water. Hope to see you at either one. -LBJ

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 07:47:05 GMT

Sharkbait, I'm trying to make the same decision re. the Sept. Splash. The two mile swim seems as if it might be a push (I think I could finish it but it wouldn't be pretty--hmmm... but actually my mile swim's not all that photogenic either, ha ha). Yet then I'd get a feel for something longer before the outdoor swimming season ends. The Sept. Splash, as I remember (been a few years) was a sort of circular course... can't remember that the current was a huge factor... I don't remember ever feeling I was fighting a current, nor can I remember feeling pushed along by one. I do remember the distinct difference in the out and back mile of the RBC. As for lakes, I did a swim/run at a lake last year. The swim was 1/4 mile and the run was 5k. (Same event is tonight but I can't get there this year.) I'd done some lake swimming (not extensive, just "fun swimming") prior to this. A few lake/ocean differences: --Bouyancy: less of it in lakes--but if you swim in pools, it's not a big deal. Might feel odd going from salt water to lake swimming. --No worry about breakers and tides... in a large lake, though, you might get choppy water. (Did a canoe trip in Maine/NH lakes which mostly were pretty calm but not always... but never got as rough as I've seen bays and oceans. Not familiar w/ swimming in the Great Lakes, but I'm told they have oceanlike conditions.) --Visibility underwater. My experience with lakes is that they're more murky underwater than oceans/bays. A friend of mine HATES lake swimming for that reason... she'll take oceans any day. But for me it depends on the lake... if it's a fairly clean body of water, I can live with some murkiness... The ones I encountered during the canoe trip were lovely... very clean and enjoyable to swim in. So, I guess it's the usual "six of one, half dozen of the other" idea, depending on what conditions you're more comfortable with. For me, saltwater bays give me the best of both worlds... the bouyancy, a little help (sometimes!) from currents, plus some visibility...but w/out the nervewracking aspects of ocean swimming. But it's a very individual thing, I think. Hope I see you at the September Splash! If I can only do one, that one seems to best fit my schedule. And, hey folk... those who have done longer distance swims, what kind of training plan did you follow?

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 07:00:05 GMT

Leonard, and InnerFish, many thanks for the info! The Rainbow Challenge does look like it would be the most fun, and I'd like to try the 2.6 mile distance, but... I'm veeeery sloooow and if the swim begins at 10:15 and awards are at noon, at my current pace I might not be able to finish. Do you know if there is there a set amount of time to complete the course, after which slowpokes get pulled out of the water? I wouldn't mind finishing well after everyone else and not getting an official time, as long as I could finish. If there's a time cutoff, I'll go with the September Splash instead of the one mile Rainbow Challenge. I'm pretty confident that I can do two miles in under 90 minutes (and that one would give me another month to train and hopefully get a little faster). It wouldn't be pretty, but I don't care as long as I finish. How cold is the water in late Sept.? And are wetsuits allowed? I've never worn one, but if the water's cold, maybe I'll try it (I'm 5'3 and 112 pounds - if I'm not mistaken that's rather low body fat for open water swims, but could I go up 5 pounds or so if that would help reduce the risk of hypothermia - would it?). I know wetsuits are a controversial topic here, and I'd rather not shell out the $$$ for one, but I want to maximise my chances of finishing. The Lake Montclair swim is a 2 and a half hour drive, and I'm having doubts about doing that drive, swimming, and then turning around and driving home. (My 1 mile ocean swim was only 45 minutes away). Here's another dumb question (I'm asking a lot of these) do you usually stay at a hotel the night before a swim, or drive there and back? How long does the drive have to be for you to decide to stay overnight? So if I can do only one of the three, maybe the Sept. Splash will be it, at least for this year, since I really want to get in a two mile event (that I have a good chance of finishing) before the season ends. If I get to meet you both there, that would be terrific! Sandra

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 03:59:12 GMT

I did the Sept. Splash without a wetsuit and never felt uncomfortable temperaturewise. And while some had on wetsuits, a lot of people didn't. I'm 5'9" and about 140something, which while not skinny-lean is still on the lean side--and tend to be okay w/ 65-70.... but I don't remember ever feeling I was too cold. It was a warm, clear day, though, which probably helped. Why don't we both decide to do that one! I'm still unsure about whether to do the mile or two-mile, tho b/c of the time and getting there, probably the mile. RBC has the longer swim later, but if the two mile swim is a reach, 2.6 is even more so... tho I guess it better not be a reach by next year! :)

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:56:11 GMT

There is no reason that, with some planning and hard work, you can't do this next year. However, keep in mind that the distance involved is the most predictable aspect of your goal. You will also have to deal with the unpredicatable: currents, waves, no black line, marine life, etc. Some people who are excellent pool swimmers don't handle this well at all. I suggest that you try to do some 1 mile-type races this summer to get a feel for the unpredictables. These will also give you a good idea as to the type of training that you need to do to make this. Good Luck! -LBJ

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 10:28:54 GMT

Again, thanks for the feedback and encouragement. Leonard, I pretty much grew up learning to swim in the Great South Bay.... jellyfish, crab nips, seaweed, the whole bunch. Mostly do pool swimming now, but I love the feel of waves rocking me back and forth when I swim. While I mostly swam in lifeguarded areas there, I've also done a few open water swims (including one ocean race), and yeah, they are very different, but in a fun sort of way... sometimes scary, yes, but being out in nature is one of my attractions to running and, when possible, to swimming as well. I plan on getting in at least the September Splash, possibly also the Rainbow Channel Challenge this year. I do want to do at least one of them, if not both. Really enjoyed both races.... Did the RBC last year... funny kind of thing: I was swimming, swimming, swimming... and where's that halfway mark?... seemed as if it was the same distance away every time I looked... then finally rounded it and much, much better going back! Yeah, those currents can be playful... I like them better when going with them for sure! ;)

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

fatboy — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 09:56:59 GMT

InnerFish - go for it! Set the goal and then do the training that will get you ready. Make a plan that gradually increases your yardage. Take Leonard's excellent advice and do some training in open water. Most of all - have fun. Good luck!!

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 06:45:49 GMT

Hey thanks you guys! bcswim, my running improved and became more consistent when I started racing... I think maybe setting a large goal where I'd have to be ready for distance would get me focused to do it. Sharkbait, my mile would probably this year be closer to 45 mins. Did the 38something last year when I had more distance behind me. I've heard great things about that Chesapeake Bay swim--a friend of mine did it and loved it! It's one I had considered for a long-distance goal, but then heard about the GSB swim and w/ all the past connections w/ that area, I thought how cool would this be to do the swim! I like your idea of our aiming for these goals together. Good luck in your training! Also congrats on your first 5k! Don't worry, the first one's the hardest! When I did my first, I thought "why am I doing this? I'm going to die.... I'm no runner!" That was in 1988, and since then I've done seven marathons, bunches of half marathons, 10 milers, 10k's, 5k's, track events.... Ha ha, guess I didn't listen to the "I'm no runner" bit!

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 05:27:51 GMT

I'm a total newbie, so am not the best person to reply to your question, but for what it's worth I'm with bcswim - go for it! It sounds like a great swim, especially with all the good memories this area has for you. If you maintain a 45 minute pace, you would finish in the four hours allowed, so seems (in my uneducated humble opinion) it would be doable. You must be in great shape from running regularly, and that endurance training should carry over into swimming. (I did my first 5K recently, 32:11 and thought I wouldn't make it!) A lot of runners swim for cross training, but I haven't seen much about swimmers cross training with running, but seems like it should work both ways. I've been thinking about a challenging long-term goal also, the Chesapeake Bay Swim, 4.4 miles. I'm slower than you, but hope that if I start training now, I'll be ready next June. How about we both train for our dream swims for next year :cool: And then there's always the following year and the year after that...

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

Former Member — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 10:40:36 GMT

i haven't heard of that swim but it sounds great... i think you should go for it! Honestly, half the fun is training for something and having a goal is what makes the training worth it...Shoot for next summer and as long as you decide that you are going to do it, you will succeed! You only live once, so go for it!!!

RE: Too ambitious a goal?

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 02:51:06 GMT

One other note: The Great South Bay holds a lot of memories for me. I used to go to Fire Island with family every year as a child (still make some visits). That's where I took swimming lessons, got over my fear of deep water, first swam in the ocean, etc. etc. If they had a shorter open water swim event there, that would be my choice, but the 5+ mile distance is what they've got, so whatcha gonna do! Anyway, I think it would be great to commit to something like that as a way to focus my training, have a definite goal as, in running, I use half marathons and marathons for similar purposes.