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.
Kristina
If you are going 35-40K per week now, I don’t see much reason to increase it.
When I was training for marathons (20+ mile swims) I hardly ever went over 30K per week. Some of this was due to personal time constraints (work getting in the way again…) It seemed to work for me. I know that others will recommend more yardage for a marathon distance, but for a 12 miler you are where you need to be.
Also, I found that instead of doing doubles, I was better off doing singles, with at least 1 long 3 hour workout per week. In the long workout I’d do things like 6 times 28 minute swim then 2 minute feed/break or 12X1,000 on 15 minutes, or 5K,4K,3K,2K,1K.
And I suggest you do a few sets that are time based instead of distance based (e.g 6 times 28 minute swim then 2 minute break). Long distance swimming is more about time in the water rather than distance traveled.
Kristina
If you are going 35-40K per week now, I don’t see much reason to increase it.
When I was training for marathons (20+ mile swims) I hardly ever went over 30K per week. Some of this was due to personal time constraints (work getting in the way again…) It seemed to work for me. I know that others will recommend more yardage for a marathon distance, but for a 12 miler you are where you need to be.
Also, I found that instead of doing doubles, I was better off doing singles, with at least 1 long 3 hour workout per week. In the long workout I’d do things like 6 times 28 minute swim then 2 minute feed/break or 12X1,000 on 15 minutes, or 5K,4K,3K,2K,1K.
And I suggest you do a few sets that are time based instead of distance based (e.g 6 times 28 minute swim then 2 minute break). Long distance swimming is more about time in the water rather than distance traveled.
