I am in the early stages of training for a long swim (11 hours) in water that will be 62-68 degrees. The water where I lived is in the mid to upper 40s right now. I'm seeking some advice on how to get myself ready to handle 11 hours in water that is around 62. I have time to acclimate (7 months until swim) , but I need some advice on how to do it.
First, I found that it is best to start cold water acclimation in the fall, when you can train as the water cools. This way you can keep your rime in the water relative constant even as the temperature begins to drop. But this won’t work for you. So instead of maintaining the time in cooling water, I’d recommend increasing the time in warming water.
When I was training for cold (60-64) marathons I would train down to about 50 degrees, where I was good for about an hours swim. When it got below 50, I started to wimp out. However with your swim in only 7 months, you may want to get in for some short duration (5-20) minute swims now and increase the time in the water as it warms. I would suggest that you find a friend to swim along, most likely in a full body wetsuit, or at the least have an escort boat. And be very aware of the possibility of hypothermia.
A couple of suggestions… make sure you stay warm before you start the training swim and make sure you have somewhere close to warm up after the swim. Also two caps and ear plugs help to maintain body heat. I assume that wetsuits are not allowed so don’t wear one to train.
Also, there is a big difference between 62 for 11 hours and 68, so if possible try to bet a better understanding of what race day conditions will be.
For what its worth, I would not worry to much about getting in the ocean now the difference between this winter water temp and your swim temp is huge. If you have planned out a training schedule including long ocean swims, start acclimating about 1 to 2 weeks before your first one. There is no reason to make yourself miserable acclimating to water you will not be spending a great deal of time in. Just remember to take your time and bring a buddy.
Now if your just a sicko and you want to swim around in winter water, welcome to the club, membership is free.
I hope you have a great swim
Cheers
Willie Schulz
Keep your body well fueled
Stay warm before the swim
Get warm after the swim
Swim fast, the more energy you exert the more calories your body burns and the warmer you stay.
along with this, as i am looking to do a few cold water swims this year and next, is there anything else you recommend? I am not a large person and everyone i know, keeps telling me i am going to have to put on weight, although none of these people are swimmers, lol. I am muscular, 5'8" and i weigh 138lbs.(i have been this height and weight forever, gaining weight isn't really easy for me as i am very active...and i find when i swim long and in cold water, even when i eat like a horse i still don't gain weight as i burn a lot of calories..) I did try one long swim in October of this past year, the water was 59 degrees and i swam for 1:25, i did have some hypothermia when i was done, so i am hoping not to get in that condition again. Any other suggestions would help, i know acclimaizing will help, but i am looking for any other useful tips!
A neoprene cap will keep you much warmer than two regular latex or silicone caps, however a chin strap does increase the risk of chafing. Bodyglide, or Pam spray (any vegetable oil) will help to reduce chafing.
If you need neoprene for warmth, then experiment and figure how to reduce chafing. Also, be sure to experiment is similar conditions (salt water is different than fresh).
The bubble caps with the strap are warm cheap and English Channel legal. they dont chafe either. They can be worn over a silicone or regular cap for extra warmth.about 7 dollars . Most heat does leave thru the head and a good open water cap really works wonders.
cold water caps www.geocities.com/.../coldwatercaps.html
