Hi everyone!
I am brand new to these forums, but definatly not new to the sport. I've been swimming competitvely since I was in 4th grade and I'm now 20yrs old and a college junior. Now, me being here, asking the questions I am asking is kinda ironic since I am definatly when it comes to competitive in pool swimming a sprinter. But, I train 6 days a week, right now doing between 5,000-5,700yards in a 2hour practice, but after the holidays that will increase to 10,000yards+ a day in 2 2hour sessions...so while I race sprints...I still know what distance feels like.
But, my question to you all is....how do people like Martin Strevl complete these insanely long CONTINUOUS swims? I mean he has swam for 84 hours and 10minutes continuously!! How does he feed if its a continuous swim? I mean know on most of his swims they're for distance and he stops and sleeps for 5hours each night and all, but how did he manage that particular swim where he did swim continuously? Anyone have any insight? I am greatly intrigued.
oh and I'm planning on swimming a marathon which is why I am here :thhbbb: haha. I posed the above question in the general discussion, but thought that it might get more responses here, so here it is!!
Thanks!
.Blaine's Apprentice.
Former Member
As a Ironman triathlete and marathon runner, I've tried quite a few energy/fuel replacement products. Gatorade, Hammer Gel, Gu, Cliff Powershot. There are lots on the market and many different flavors. I tend to like Chocolate or Raspberry Hammer Gels. Read the labels because some flavors will also have caffine in them (pros and cons there). I've found that you need to find the kind that works with your stomach (different strokes for different folks! :cool: ) and a flavor that you will put up with. There are some really bad flavors out there. Since you probably need to eat these when you don't really want to, you need to find a flavor that at least tastes somewhat good to you. Also, some flavors do weird things in chlorinated water.
You should also consider a recovery drink. I've found these help a lot when you are doing distance training and need to go out and do it again the next day! :banana:
Regarding nutrition prodoucts, as a tritahlete and having done some longer distance swims i highly endorse hammer nutrition's products
i use their hammer gel (raspberry) perpetuem on the bike (carb and protein) and gel again on the run. i have used only gel on longer swims plus of course endurolytes unless the water is really salty.
www.hammernutrition.com
if you have ?'s re: their products, you can get great info on the phone from their knowledgeable staff.
they also make a recovery drink "recoverite" which sits well with me after a race.
as far as what to think about during a long swim, it hit me when i did a 5 mile swim and i totally wondered. but i did get to think ab/ lots of stuff and enjoy the surroundings. i personally don't like wearing anything to mask my hearing even on long training swims in open water. i usually find i have enough to think about to finish the swim.
