Just recently completed my 2nd ever one mile open water swim. Lots of fun. Am now planning a 3 mile open water swim in about a month. I decided that my 5 x weekly workouts of 1800 yards probably not enough. I want to not only swim the 3 miles, but enjoy the 3 miles. Have taken my yardage up to 3100 yards 5 x weekly... Is this sufficient? (I use the workouts posted on the Workout forums. I am a little slower than the slowest level given so add about 15 seconds to each interval, put a couple of them together, swimming all freestyle as I dont do fly)
First of all, congratulations! It's so exciting to think about your first longer distance.
I would recommend also looking at the workouts on swimmingcommunity.com
It allows you to put in a profile, with a specific goal in mind, and gives you workouts accordingly. I use it when I can't get to Masters, and don't want to do just a straight swim. It also allows you to track your yardage. It's a computer program, but even given that, I have to say I have enjoyed many of the workouts.
I find that their kick set intervals are way too slow, but other than that, it's a fairly decent set of workout options. The other thing I like is that there's no advertising, and it also allows you to ask for as many workouts as you'd like. When one comes up for a particular day, and it doesn't appeal to you, just keep clicking until you get one you like.
Good luck, and most of all, have a great time.
Take care,
Sydne
I'm not sure how to train for a 3 mile, but I just did my first 2 mile race. To do this I increased my yardage from 1800/day (4x week) to 3500-4000 per day (4-5x week). It was a breeze. Only downside was it was a bit cold, even for eskimos like me. Air temp was 52, water temp approx 65.
The only reason my arms got tired was that since the air was colder then the water, my arms and hands never got a chance to warm up. My arms and hands got stiff from the cold and got a bit numb too. Also, for the last 1/2 mile, my back felt a little cramped because of the cool conditions, but if it had become unbearable, I could have just stopped and gone into a tuck to stretch it out.
I had a great time though and I think if you increase your yardage and pace yourself accordingly, you will do just fine.
