OK I got in. The most I have swam is 2 miles open water. I swim about 10K yards a week with 2 masters workouts a week. Now what. This race is 4.4 miles.
The race date is June 8. I think I can answer my own question... double (or triple!) my weekly yardage, hold yourself back on the start, finally, grit your teeth and "enjoy" gutting it out.
Ideas for training?:confused:
My buddy Paul and I have been talking about doing this swim for years. It has to be the premier open water swim in the US! I don't know of any other swim only event that draws so many entrants. He is a triathlete; I'm a swimmer. I think it draws both but maybe more triathletes, just for the challenge. So what if you don't get in? Just to be able to SAY you were able to complete it is an accomplishment. Kudos to the organizers, no matter whether I get in or not.
Hey everybody.
Will there be ways to hydrate during this race? I have heard that you can hang on a baot and have a drink.
Do people bring gel packs too for nourishment?
I am looking at doing Donner Lake this August 9th for the first time. I swim daily about 2000 yards and have swum a 2 miler (Balboa - Newport, CA Pier to Pier) ocean, 1 mile Captain Craig, Ocean City, MD and 1 mile Lake Erie, Ohio...How did you like the High Sierras? RKW
I am looking at doing Donner Lake this August 9th for the first time. I swim daily about 2000 yards and have swum a 2 miler (Balboa - Newport, CA Pier to Pier) ocean, 1 mile Captain Craig, Ocean City, MD and 1 mile Lake Erie, Ohio...How did you like the High Sierras? RKW :fish2:
I think it draws both but maybe more triathletes, just for the challenge. So what if you don't get in? Just to be able to SAY you were able to complete it is an accomplishment.
Most triathletes are NOT swimmers and a 4.4 mile race is 3.4 miles too long to be considered a training run - especially on a popular day for a multi-sport race. You are right - it is a challenge, and is quite an accomplishment, but any tri's there are swimmers who, like myself, at some point decided to tri (pun intended) the other two sports.
As for Shamu's comments, I can empathize with you. A lot of triathlons open registration 9 months in advance of the race. That is the norm for Triathlons. Because of an injury, I waited to register for a race (to take place in two weeks) until a week after registration opened LAST SEPTEMBER. It had already closed a day earlier at 2000+ participants. I REALLY wanted to do it, but found something elsewhere, and I'll get to visit family too.
It would be nice to do an additional wave, or another race. But I think other posters have shown that is not likely to happen. Now true, most swim events open registration a few short months ahead. But the bay, as has been mentioned, is very popular, and there are indeed a lot of restrictions that keep the race open to a lucky few. Yes, the swim has become a victim of its popularity. And the lottery isn't optimum, but lets face it, it is probably the best option.
If you absolutely must swim across the bay this spring, try the 7.5 mile Potomac Swim. Better yet, jump right in and start your own crossing. Perhaps the fleet of fully loaded Ocean Freighters will stop for you.
My opinion is that soon, a boatload of people will raise the money that "guarantees" you a spot, and suddenly lots of rich OW distance-swimming snobs will be the only participants with no room for a lottery. The casual swimmer has already been weeded out by the cost... if this buying your spot continues the way I expect, the event will become a sorry excuse of its former self in no time and I'll be joining you in your original post's tone 100%.
RKW - I've done the Donner Lake swim twice. And, as a Virginian, I can say the swim is total bliss. It is in an absolutely beautiful setting. The water is crystal clear and deep. The competition is terrific. The after race bbq is terrific. And, from what I've experienced, everyone there is extremely friendly and gracious. I highly highly highly recommend it.
At 2.7 miles long, you might want to get in a couple of longer training swims in preparation. The water can be a bit cold - prepare yourself for that. And, dealing with the altitude has not been a problem for me.
"My opinion is that soon, a boatload of people will raise the money that "guarantees" you a spot, and suddenly lots of rich OW distance-swimming snobs will be the only participants with no room for a lottery. The casual swimmer has already been weeded out by the cost... if this buying your spot continues the way I expect, the event will become a sorry excuse of its former self in no time and I'll be joining you in your original post's tone 100%."
In the past 3 years, 125 people have raised the minumum to get an Early Bird Entry. In a field of 700 that isn't hurting the lottery odds too much. If you consider this buying a spot, I'm not here to convince you otherwise.
BTW I'm far from a 'rich OW distance swimming snob'. I'm a cheap SOB pool rat that finds pools I can swim for free whenever I can.
Tree
Folks,
While comparing venues is great but until you can compare the Bay Swim with one that also crosses a major active shipping lane, then your comparisons are a waste of time. Period DOT
Paul
