What do "they" think of open water swimming?

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 :)

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?

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

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

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...