Signed up for my first long swim and after hearing the reaction from family and friends (haven't told anyone at work yet), I'm wondering how other people respond when you tell them that you're going to do a swim.
Here's some of what I got:
"Why on earth would you want to do something like that?"
"You're nuts!"
"You could drown!"
"That's so dangerous!"
"You'd better get your will done first."
"What are you thinking? You have a family!"
"You could get eaten by a shark..."
"The jellyfish will get you..."
"People invented boats and bridges to get across rivers, we're not supposed to swim across them."
"Are you going to use a gas mask?"
"The water's so polluted, you are going to get sick."
"If you want to swim, can't you do it in the pool where it's safe?"
Only one person said "That's awesome, you must be in great shape."
Do you get similar responses? And how do you answer them? I'm beginning to wonder what the rest of the world thinks of us...
Julie: Yes, I'm entered in the Potomac River Swim. I was very happy that Cheryl let me in; I'd been afraid that you need more experience than I have to qualify. But as someone here (sorry, don't remember who) said, the race directors mainly want to make sure that Steve Martin doesn't show up with his arm floaties...
I like your response - one reason I'm doing this is because I can. (After all, it's not the English Channel or the Race Around Manhattan!)
I'm really looking forward to the swim. How did you train for it last year? And are you doing it this year? I need all the advice I can get. So far my longest pool swim is 5 miles, so I have a ways to go before June...
Last year my longest swim was 12,000 yards in the pool. I had done a few 10,000 yard swims also. I definitely think if I do this again in the future that I would maybe try to go over 12,000 a few times. I ended up traveling a lot in May and while I had some time to swim in open water while I was away, I didn't have 3+ hours to spend at the pool so my last long swim ended up being 5 weeks before the event.
This time last year I was right around 6,000-7,000 for my long swim so you have some time to build up to a long swim.
I won't be in town that weekend this year so unfortunately won't be able to do the swim. I'm signed up for the Bay so maybe I'll see you there?
Julie: Yes, I'm entered in the Potomac River Swim. I was very happy that Cheryl let me in; I'd been afraid that you need more experience than I have to qualify. But as someone here (sorry, don't remember who) said, the race directors mainly want to make sure that Steve Martin doesn't show up with his arm floaties...
I like your response - one reason I'm doing this is because I can. (After all, it's not the English Channel or the Race Around Manhattan!)
I'm really looking forward to the swim. How did you train for it last year? And are you doing it this year? I need all the advice I can get. So far my longest pool swim is 5 miles, so I have a ways to go before June...
Last year my longest swim was 12,000 yards in the pool. I had done a few 10,000 yard swims also. I definitely think if I do this again in the future that I would maybe try to go over 12,000 a few times. I ended up traveling a lot in May and while I had some time to swim in open water while I was away, I didn't have 3+ hours to spend at the pool so my last long swim ended up being 5 weeks before the event.
This time last year I was right around 6,000-7,000 for my long swim so you have some time to build up to a long swim.
I won't be in town that weekend this year so unfortunately won't be able to do the swim. I'm signed up for the Bay so maybe I'll see you there?
