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.
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.
