Hi all,
Wanted to run my training plan by you guys and see if you think this is possible.
Entering the 12 mile "Dam" Swim Sept. 23. River swim in Alabama. Water temp and conditions not an issue. It's USMS sanctioned.
Been a swimmer since age 6 and am now 33. Swam USMS since 2002. Am considered a strong swimmer (placed in top 10 nationally as high up as multiple 2nd and 3rd place in all strokes and events.) Done some open water 5K swims and enjoyed them and placed in top 1 to 2 of women.
This summer, focused on triathlons (sprint and olympic distance) and there was little focus on swimming. Have been training 2 to 2.5 hrs/ day 5 to 6 days a week among the three sports.
I've got 2 months to train. Was thinking of swimming 6x/ week for 1.5 to 3 hrs per session at moderate pace (usually, I train at a very high intensity but my races are short - like 400 yds and less). I will be cutting out all the tri training to train for this race. Goal is to finish. If I DNF, I'll not be thrilled, but I'll be more disappointed if I don't even try the race. I'm someone who will wake up one day and say, "I've got to do this - whether it be compete and win a tri/ swim a 400 IM/ try a 12 mile swim, whatever. . ." And I always get up and at least try it.
Do you feel this is a good plan and reasonable to try?
Also, was planning on hydrating 6 to 8 oz of sports drink every 30 minutes during the 5.5 to 6 hr swim along w/ eathing some gu packets every hour or so. I've not done a swim this long. Should be very interesting to see if I can hack it. Just want to be safe though and stay hydrated and nourished. Will have own personal motorized escort.
Thanks!! I've loved lurking here for the past several years.
Parents
Former Member
My $0.02:
Keep in mind that this is not a short race and, therefore, the same rules don't apply. To wit, if you start this at a very comfortable pace (i.e. not breathing hard at all), and just relax, you will stand a much better chance of finishing. The temptation is that if you are used to shorter races, you tend to push it too hard, too soon and then crash and burn. Just by keeping a steady, easy pace, you will do better than many others who are less cautious. Be aware of your technique at all times.
Hydration/feeding: The old advice is true - be sure you try it out in practice before the race. I like 12 oz of an Accelerade/GU mixture ("Jansenaide") every 30 minutes. I use 3 scoops orange Accelerade and 1 Gu Tri-Berry packet in 48 fluid ounces of water as a basic mixture. It is a bit less sweet then straight Accelerade and the taste is better, at least to me. I also take 12 oz of this or straight Accelerade about 10-15 minutes before the race.
Use sunscreen! You will be out there a long time. Unfortunately, I've yet to find anything that lasts well beyond 2-3 hours, but Bullfrog Superblock 45 has been the best of the lot for me.
Use vaseline under your arms, between the legs and at any other potential chafing points.
Rob's training advice seems spot on. You can always push a bit harder if you haven't overtrained, but if you are overtrained, you may not make it at all. Listen to your body.
Good Luck,
LBJ
My $0.02:
Keep in mind that this is not a short race and, therefore, the same rules don't apply. To wit, if you start this at a very comfortable pace (i.e. not breathing hard at all), and just relax, you will stand a much better chance of finishing. The temptation is that if you are used to shorter races, you tend to push it too hard, too soon and then crash and burn. Just by keeping a steady, easy pace, you will do better than many others who are less cautious. Be aware of your technique at all times.
Hydration/feeding: The old advice is true - be sure you try it out in practice before the race. I like 12 oz of an Accelerade/GU mixture ("Jansenaide") every 30 minutes. I use 3 scoops orange Accelerade and 1 Gu Tri-Berry packet in 48 fluid ounces of water as a basic mixture. It is a bit less sweet then straight Accelerade and the taste is better, at least to me. I also take 12 oz of this or straight Accelerade about 10-15 minutes before the race.
Use sunscreen! You will be out there a long time. Unfortunately, I've yet to find anything that lasts well beyond 2-3 hours, but Bullfrog Superblock 45 has been the best of the lot for me.
Use vaseline under your arms, between the legs and at any other potential chafing points.
Rob's training advice seems spot on. You can always push a bit harder if you haven't overtrained, but if you are overtrained, you may not make it at all. Listen to your body.
Good Luck,
LBJ
