Hey all,
The Big Day is coming... August 3... for my swim across the Great South Bay (www.greatsouthbayswim.com).
Today I swam the full race distance, 5.25 miles in a POOL with kids splashing around on both sides and once getting into my lane, but nothing like learning to focus, ha!
I know I should probably get in some open water practice, but I don't live near open water, hence the pool swim.
Donna's been excellent with lots of tips, schedule thoughts and suggestions, so I've made much more progress than I ever thought I would!
Now the question is what about a taper... what to focus on, what kind of yards, things like that. Last two weeks, except for weekend swims, the yardage was low per swim (maybe 2000-2500) but my focus was on trying to hold my form while pushing a bit more. I noticed that it paid off today as my "tired" mile times are what my "fresh" times used to be. (Not fast, I should point out, but less slow than before!)
I do both swimming and running, and I wonder about your thoughts on that as well. My bf wants to do a five mile run a week before my swim, and I figure that would be too soon before the swim for me to be in such a run, I am considering signing up and just jogging it. But I wonder if even that might be too much that soon before the swim. (Anyone who runs/swims who can speak to that?) Alternatively, I'd just go with him to cheer for him and do a shorter run along the trail near the race--really a nice setting, so I enjoy going with him, even if not to race.
My arms and shoulders are muttering darkly at me now, but if the pattern of my long swims holds out for this one, they should feel pretty good in a day or two. I seem to have a lot quicker recoveries from long swims than from long runs. What I may not have is as much time during the week as on weekends, but I can work things in if ppl feel they are vital.
So there you are... and if anyone thinks of suggestions in areas not covered by this post, please feel free to share them.
I'm excited about this swim, and a little scared too, but I figure both the excited and the scared feelings are part of the process and mean I'm a real live person. :)
In any event, thanks all for your help/suggestions/ and hey, cheers are cool too! :D
Parents
Former Member
Hi Diane,
I am just so happy that you know you can complete the distance without too many problems and knowing this early on. I hope others, after the weekend, will step forward and give you their tapering advice before this swim. I do know that tapering is very individual and it depends upon how many yards/meters/miles you are swimming and running prior to the August 3rd swim event. I also know that because I am now much older, my taper has to be a bit more dramatic than the youngsters here.
But I do think that the one constant thing is to reduce the yardage by half the week before, maybe even 10 days. You can maintain your endurance by doing less yardge but higher intensity sets to a point.
I am amazed that you took what used to be a long swim (1,000 yds) and turned it into over 5 miles in less than eight weeks. This speaks volumes for your aerobic conditioning overall.
Let's see what others have to say after the weekend. Good going Innerfish!
donna
Hi Diane,
I am just so happy that you know you can complete the distance without too many problems and knowing this early on. I hope others, after the weekend, will step forward and give you their tapering advice before this swim. I do know that tapering is very individual and it depends upon how many yards/meters/miles you are swimming and running prior to the August 3rd swim event. I also know that because I am now much older, my taper has to be a bit more dramatic than the youngsters here.
But I do think that the one constant thing is to reduce the yardage by half the week before, maybe even 10 days. You can maintain your endurance by doing less yardge but higher intensity sets to a point.
I am amazed that you took what used to be a long swim (1,000 yds) and turned it into over 5 miles in less than eight weeks. This speaks volumes for your aerobic conditioning overall.
Let's see what others have to say after the weekend. Good going Innerfish!
donna
