Hello swimmers,
I am new to this website and I'm thrilled with all of the information and expertise you all have to share.
I am entering the 8 mile swim across Lake Champlain. It begins on the New York side of the lake and ends in Vermont. I have started swimming 2700 - 3600 yards in the pool 2-3x a week. I am hoping to get in the lake soon....I just want it to get above 50 degrees!
I am a rookie and would appreciate any advice on workouts, nutrition, and any other tips. I have competed in 1.2 and 5 mile open water swims. This seems so much bigger to me. I am both excited and nervous.
One thing that surprised me was that they allow fins. Has anyone out there raced with fins? Any pros/cons to share?
I look forward to some replies. Thanks!
Former Member
Julie,
Thanks for the info. re: kayakers. It sounds like several of you are going this route. I am getting closer to getting this wrapped up.
I was also wondering about nutrition. I thought gatorade would be sufficient as well. I've never tried GU, but will give it a try in one of my lake swims.
Would also love to hear of any pool workouts people are doing to prepare. I've been doing 3600 - 4200 yards 2x a week at the pool, some ladder sets and sets of 500 yards. I've been doing some of my swimming in Malletts Bay/Valcour Island, both on Lake Champlain. My goal is simply to make it across the lake and of course, to enjoy myself!
Thanks for sharing ideas/thoughts. It is pumping me up!
Hi all:
I did this event back in 2005. Did not wear a wetsuit. Finished just under 4 hours. I didn't train specifically for this b/c my main event that summer was Ironman Lake Placid 2 weeks prior. (That was enough training for about 6 miles of the swim!) I had done a number of one hour open water swims in addition to 4-5000 yard workouts twice a week. I packed Gatorade, water and gels. The gels I just stuck in my suit and the drinks I put in a camelback with the kayaker so that I could just sip on them. I had a very hard time getting calories and fluids in---much much harder than when I race tris--and I think it's b/c my stomach doesn't drain as well when horizontal, plus open water swimming makes my tummy fill with air. I did a lot of burping--stopping about every 15 minutes to get some of that air out.
Be warned--the race organization is a little laissez-faire--so make sure that you and your kayaker are confident in your abilities as a team. Also, make sure that both of you will be comfortable with the chop and potential for cold weather/rain (affecting the kayaker much more) if the weather is not the greatest.
If anyone has other questions, feel free to let me know.
-Danielle
It was a clear enough day that my brother--the kayaker--was able to see our destination and paddle straight across. I swam next to him--rather than behind--so that I could see him when I breathed, rather than having to lift my head up to site off of the boat. Make sure to let your kayaker know to take the straightest, shortest route across!!!
If you do need to drop out, the "big boat" that takes you to the other side can come and get you.
