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
Thanks so much Leonard! I look forward to trying the Jansenaide beginning on Monday. That's a new mix for me.
Great tip about starting out with a pace that will feel SLOW (you are talking to an ex-sprinter here). But with Masters, I've really been doing longer distances so I'm looking forward to it.
I use exactly Bullfrog Waterproof Sunblock for my triathlons and I do use that glide gel for chafing so I think I'll be set there. Yeah, I'm sure I'll still get burnt as nothing lasts 5.5 hrs.
Right now, it looks like I'm training 33,600 meters a week.
This is not killing me by any means. I feel good. Now, the swim is 12 miles or 20K. . . so, we'll have to see what happens. I don't want to overtrain. . . I've made a deal with myself in that if anything starts to hurt, I've got to cut back.
So far, so good for this first week. I'm tempted to do more (especially as I've cut out the running and biking), but my coach seems to think this is good. Think I should do more?
Thanks so much. Great advice.
Thanks so much Leonard! I look forward to trying the Jansenaide beginning on Monday. That's a new mix for me.
Great tip about starting out with a pace that will feel SLOW (you are talking to an ex-sprinter here). But with Masters, I've really been doing longer distances so I'm looking forward to it.
I use exactly Bullfrog Waterproof Sunblock for my triathlons and I do use that glide gel for chafing so I think I'll be set there. Yeah, I'm sure I'll still get burnt as nothing lasts 5.5 hrs.
Right now, it looks like I'm training 33,600 meters a week.
This is not killing me by any means. I feel good. Now, the swim is 12 miles or 20K. . . so, we'll have to see what happens. I don't want to overtrain. . . I've made a deal with myself in that if anything starts to hurt, I've got to cut back.
So far, so good for this first week. I'm tempted to do more (especially as I've cut out the running and biking), but my coach seems to think this is good. Think I should do more?
Thanks so much. Great advice.
