What do "they" think of open water swimming?

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

sydned — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 08:43:38 GMT

I like to tell people that I'm more afraid of flying to get to a swim than getting in the water. And that I only race in places where the sharks are well fed. I used to race triathlon and whenever I would say that, people would say, of sprints at least, "Oh, I could probably do that." Not one person has said that about swim races! Last year, I got stung by a man of war in a race, and people really think I'm nuts now. I particularly liked the neighborhood rumor that there was an olympic swimmer on the block. I tried to perpetuate that as long as possible...

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:32:24 GMT

Here is a voice from the past. The first person to swim accross lake ontario, Marilyn Bell. The last time I saw her was 1994. Her email to me yesterday I know you won't remember my married name, but perhaps you'll remember me from our aquatic days...a voice from the past...It's Marilyn Bell here.Bryan Findlay sent me your website. It was fun reading your bio and remembering all the good times I experienced at Hamilton Aquatic Club. I also have vivid memories of my trip to Hamilton after I crossed Lake Ontario. In fact somewhere in a box I have a photo of you and I taken on the steps of Hamilton City Hall. You looking splendid in your uniform, me looking shell shocked over all the hoopla. Here is her story archives.cbc.ca/.../marilyn_bell www.soloswims.com/bell.htm

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 10:43:13 GMT

Thanks, Julie. It must have been disappointing when they had to cancel the 7.5 because of bad weather. Hope that doesn't happen this year. I'm about where you were last year. Yesterday I did 6800 meters in the pool, very slow but steady, not pushing for speed at all. I'd missed over a week of training because of a cold (haven't had a cold in four years, so just my luck to get one now). I'll plan on going over 12,000 a few times. Maybe should try to build up some speed as well as distance. Good luck at the Bay Swim. I'm out of town that weekend, so am not doing the Bay Swim this year. Maybe next year, but 12 miles in 2 weeks would be a lot.. Sandra

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Julie Roddin — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:13:24 GMT

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?

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Swimmy — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 07:55:04 GMT

Thanks to everyone for your responses! Sorry for taking so long to reply (been a really busy time what with family and work). I did finally tell someone at work, who said "it's not something I'd do, but it's great that you're doing it" - and she's contributing to the environmental fund the Potomac Swim works with as well. Gary: I love your responses! LOL There *is* something absurd about someone whose main form of exercise is getting off the couch to go to the refrigerator lecturing us on the "dangers" of open water swimming. Mary: It's funny you got some of the same questions. You're right, life is too short to worry about sharks, etc. 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... Swimmy: I can imagine the comments you got when you did Alcatraz, especially if they know it's called the Sharkfest! I'm doing Lake Montclair again, and probably Reston - it's a week before the Potomac Swim, so maybe I could do the one and two mile swims as a warmup. What swims are you doing? It would be great to see you again at another race. InnerFish: Good luck at the Great South Bay Swim! Wish I could do that one, too. I run too, though if anything I'm even slower as a runner than swimmer. Sso far only 5K's except for one 10 miler, and if anyone says I'll destroy my knees, I say that if eight years of classical ballet didn't wreck my knees, running won't. Plus I plan on taking a break at any sign of injury. Haven't heard the one about your lungs freezing (I'm a wimp in winter; won't run outside when it gets that cold - I'll run if it's 95 and humid, but not when it's freezing). Haven't heard about the uterus falling out - where do they get these weird ideas? Poolrat: LOL! Seems like to any reasonable person, it would be the opposite. 2.7 mile lake swim? Sure. 43 miles?! not. (I can see running a marathon, and hope to attempt it some day, but never an ultra). Donna: You're an inspiration. Maybe by the time I'm 59 I'll be in good enough shape to attempt a swim like that! Hi Sharkbait, Diana and I will be at Reston. I will do the 1 and she does both 1 and 2. Maybe we will see each other then. I am not sure about Montclair. We are thinking about doing Big Shoulders in Chicago that same weekend. I am planning to do the Chesapeake 1 mile race and the Swim for Life. I am not sure what else I will do. I like to do the ocean races in NJ. I am sure we will meet up again at a race someday. Happy Laps! Swimmy :)

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 06:52:37 GMT

islandsox. I learned to swim in a pool. But i n the summer months I would swim in the ocean. I really did not like the pool. But living in new York, in the winter months I would swim at the pool. May be 2 times a week. But come April to Sept. I was always at some beach or lake , at least 5 times a week. I never knew how far I swam, but I can tell you, at high tide I could not see the beach. I never thought about what kin of fish were under me, it never dawned on me . But I could swim for hours, and not be tired. But once I got back to the beach ,I could sleep like a baby. But not having swam in open water for at least the last 50 yrs. I would be totally intimadated , Dom. In AZ.

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:18:39 GMT

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

poolraat — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:53:04 GMT

If I had the fitness, how cool would it be to do both in the same weekend--thereby getting both my runnerbuds and my swimmerbuds on my case! :D I get the running related "are you nuts" questions anyway in addition to the swimming related ones. I've been over most of the trail either on foot or horseback but have no desire to run it. I've heard most of the examples too. I used to be a runner but gave it up when my feet and knees started complaining. That's what I love about swimming (although the shoulders complain a bit from time to time). I've never done an ocean swim. That would be sooooo cool!

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

FindingMyInnerFish — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:19:30 GMT

My family thought I was nuts for doing a 2.7 mi lake swim, yet on that same weekend my brother and nephew did the Ruby Crest Trail Run, a 43 mi run in the mountains near our home. Not a word about them being goofy (except from me). If I had the fitness, how cool would it be to do both in the same weekend--thereby getting both my runnerbuds and my swimmerbuds on my case! :D I get the running related "are you nuts" questions anyway in addition to the swimming related ones. Ex.'s Don't you know you'll wreck your knees? (My brother's dr. had a good answer to that--"Costs less to fix a bad knee than a bad heart and it's a whole lot easier.") A man puffing away on a cigarette and listening to a story of my almost getting hit by a truck (which fate I fortunately escaped with some record sprinting): "See that's a sign you shouldn't be running." To him: "I think if I'd gotten hit, that would be a sign I shouldn't be running." (I barely refrained from commenting about how his coughing might be a sign that he shouldn't be smoking.) On cold days when I run, "You'll freeze your lungs!" Hmmm... lungcicles... intriguing.... I've never gotten this myself but other women report that people have told them their uterus will fall out. Say what??? I had a friend worried sick before my ocean swim--asking, I admit, the same questions I pondered myself--and by reassuring her, I found that I was also reassuring myself. So in a way she did me a favor. And sure I got the "wow, that's so cool" responses. But more important, the person who most needs to have that response to my swimming or running is the one I face in the mirror.

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 06:10:03 GMT

You are not alone!! People go nuts when they find out I am training for a 19 mile swim from the island of Roatan to Utila in 2008 and I am 59 years old!!! Everyone's first comment so far has been: Why? and I say Why Not? I want to enter the last quarter of my life having done something big and this one is a doozey. The 2nd question is: what about the sharks? and I say, what about them? As long as my husband doesn't take out an insurance policy on me and is chumming off the back of the boat, I doubt sharks will be an issue; 19 miles and current will be an issue!!! Along with Sailfish and Marlin--big ones!! \ Hey, how about sunburn? that could be a bad one as well as swimsuit chafing--ooh, that hurts. Donna

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:45:59 GMT

I'm hoping to do some OW this year too. Just local and maybe only on relay teams to start out. My wife almost drowed off of Coney Island as s teen she'll question my sanity (further).

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:12:52 GMT

In general, I get pretty positive responses from people, although the shark question is almost always brought up. My favorite response to date is, "Don't worry about the sharks. It's the barracuda you need to watch out for." This comment was from a fellow OW swimmer though. I also like, "How much money do you get if you win?" Ha!

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

ljlete — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:12:36 GMT

"Are there any Sharks in Lake Michigan?" :shakeshead: No worse: 40 pound Northern Pike :)

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:23:23 GMT

"Are there any Sharks in Lake Michigan?" :shakeshead:

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

poolraat — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:16:01 GMT

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Swimmy — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 01:11:53 GMT

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... Hi Sharkbait! I get all of those comments. Especially when I did Alcatraz! Just ignore them. Most people in the non swimming world will never understand. Good luck on your Potomac swim. Maybe we will see each other at some races this summer. What else are you doing? I am probably doing the Chesapeake and Swim for Life and some others. Swimmy :)

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 09:39:17 GMT

It looks like that one is 6.2 miles- has anyone done it around here? i haven't done it, but judging from the 06 finish times i would say that there are some favorable currents.

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:48:24 GMT

Where? When? Here y'are: www.greatsouthbayswim.com I hope the link works... for some reason the computer wouldn't let me do copy/paste today. But in case it doesn't come up, the swim is on 8/3, starts from Fire Island (near lighthouse) and proceeds across the bay to a park in Brightwaters. I've watched so many sunsets on that bay, slid over it by ferry, sailboat, motorboats of various types.... and to know that Fire Island continues to offer me "firsts" after so many years is just amazing to me! People should not stop having "firsts" in their lives.

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

FindingMyInnerFish — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:34:59 GMT

It looks like that one is 6.2 miles- has anyone done it around here? I have to admit I'm a little confused b/c in some places on the site, it's listed as 5.25 miles and other places, a 10k. They changed the course recently which might account for the discrepancy. Chaos, they make sure to choose a time when the current is most favorable to swimmers... heh, I'll need all the help that way I can get!

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 06:29:53 GMT

It looks like that one is 6.2 miles- has anyone done it around here?

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Former Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:12:11 GMT

Funny, today i got some of the same questions! DOn't you worry about sharks? I can't imagine, what about drowning? I just said, well the jelly fish will definitely sting you, the sharks are likely to keep away, and i suppose you could drown, though not likely. And if you worked in my trauma unit you'd see that life is way too short to worry about sharks! Good luck!

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Julie Roddin — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:44:54 GMT

I'm now planning a 5.25 mile bay swim. Where? When?

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

Julie Roddin — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:42:53 GMT

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... Sounds like you have been talking to my Mom. Yes, I have gotten all kinds of responses to several things I've done over the last few years and my answer is always something along the lines of "I'm doing this because I have enough confidence that I can finish it and it sounds like fun." You signed up for the Potomac River Swim, right? I had signed up last year and trained pretty well for it. Cheryl is awesome and everyone involved in the swim is really great too. I had so much fun meeting all of the open water swimmers who were much more experienced than I am. Have fun, and don't worry about what people say. You signed up for this because you know you can do it...now go do it!!! Julie

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

FindingMyInnerFish — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 09:59:50 GMT

Not that experienced w/ o.w. swims, but I've had such responses. I think my family sometimes teases me about sharks and drowning, etc., but I usually laugh it off when they do b/c I know they're just messin' with me. Also, I have to admit sometimes I ask myself all those same questions lol. :o Which isn't to say I won't go ahead with whatever swims I have planned, just that I'll sometimes say to myself, "SELF, ARE YOU NUTS?" And self answers, "yeah, what's your point." :p My one ocean swim had me very afraid about sharks, but I figured too that if they were holding the swim every year without incident, why should the year I was swimming be any different. I'm now planning a 5.25 mile bay swim. And yes, it's a stretch for me, but there are boats and each swimmer is required to have a kayaker. There's also a four hour time limit, so they will pick up swimmers who don't look like they're going to make that cutoff. That I accept as part of the game. Obviously, I want to beat the time limit and finish the race, but I'm grateful that they have that safety feature in place. And I can actually sympathize somewhat with the concerned questions, but I also assure ppl that this isn't a suicidal risk. I don't do suicidal risks. I like to stretch my limits, and at the same time, I respect those limits and know that it would be, for instance, foolish for me to attempt, let's say, a channel swim, at least at my current stage of swimming development. Sometimes all those questions are just ways of saying "that's awesome and I'd be scared to death to try it myself!" Kind of an indirect compliment. No one bothers asking questions like that if the whole project doesn't interest them.

RE: What do "they" think of open water swimming?

gemich — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 06:32:42 GMT

"Why on earth would you want to do something like that?" I LIKE LIVING ON THE EDGE "You're nuts!" QUIT LIVING YOUR LIFE ON THE SIDELINES AND GET IN THE GAME "You could drown!" YOU COULD DIE IN A CAR CRASH ON YOUR WAY TO WORK TODAY "That's so dangerous!" SO IS HAVING HIGH CHOLESTEROL & HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE "You'd better get your will done first." I DON'T PLAN ON DROWNING "What are you thinking? You have a family!" I KNOW & GOD BLESS 'EM - THEY SUPPORT ME 100% "You could get eaten by a shark..." YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING TOO MUCH DISCOVERY CHANNEL "The jellyfish will get you..." LET 'EM TRY "People invented boats and bridges to get across rivers, we're not supposed to swim across them." BOATS & BRIDGES ARE FOR WIMPS - LET'S SWIM! "Are you going to use a gas mask?" ?????????????? "The water's so polluted, you are going to get sick." I KEEP MY HEPATITIS VACCINATION CURRENT "If you want to swim, can't you do it in the pool where it's safe?" SOOOOOO BORING Only one person said "That's awesome, you must be in great shape." THANKS - I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT