My summer '08 open water swim plans...

There is a lot of useful info on this page and previous one in this forum, including info on the St. Croix swim. You might like to look at the "Rants and Raves" thread, and also the "Great Lakes Swims" thread. Also, if you look at the individual states Masters stuff, you'll find the odd announcement of registration open, mostly from last year, but it will give you an idea of what's available. FWIW, VB

Hey Todd, I've done St. Croix 4 times. It's a great race, but definitely one to be well-prepared for. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. Sydne

Hey Todd, I'm always glad to talk with someone about St. Croix-especially after a snow-filled day of skiing. This may be a random series of thoughts so feel free to ask follow up questions! I first did St. Croix 5 or 6 years ago after seeing something about it many years before that in some swimming magazine. I started swimming in graduate school--actually took beginning swimming--so this was not something I ever thought was possible. But I had carried this article around fantasizing about doing this swim. Let's just say I had the open water bug! Then, I joined the UMASS masters team and my world changed! I had been doing triathlon for many years, but unlike most triathletes, loved the swim more than anything else. And I started doing more and more open water races. So, when I first did St. Croix, I was petrified. I had done the distance in the pool many, many times--because I was so paranoid about not being able to finish. (Of course, now I realize I completely overtrained.) That year was beautiful. My family and I went for a long weekend, like you are planning. Thursday through Tuesday. We stayed at the Buccaneer, which I recommend just in terms of being in the community of swimmers, having a chance to connect with people, and being able to do practice swims off the beach right in front of the hotel. One of the things I love about it is that the community of swimmers is so strong, and you can be on the boat over to Buck Island chatting with someone who is a major figure in the race--let's say Alex Kostich--and there's no attitude from anyone. When you get back to the beach after the swim, it's all about what you were lucky enough to see, and how it felt, etc. The day before, my husband and I went on the Buck Island snorkel trip and I highly recommend this as well. The Captain will usually spend some time talking to you about the course, and the buoys may even be out. (The first year I did it, there was only the turn buoy at the 2-mile mark, and boy did that make for some challenging navigation!) It was gorgeous. And yes, we did see a shark. It's funny because it as completely not scary. It had absolutely no interest in us, and they're so well-fed down there anyway, they have no need to fight for their food! The day of the swim was gorgeous that first year. I made sure I took some food from The Buccaneer the day before because on the day of, it's muffins and things that I knew I didn't want. (One recommendation I have is that unless you are planning bringing your own nutrition along with you as you swim, get used to swimming with just water and not gatorade or something else. The water stops are just water.) I have this great memory of the Conch Shell being blown, all of us running into the water, and suddenly seeing so many starfish, it was like the constellations below us. The swim went well--and every year, I've seen at least some great wildlife. (The second year was rather murky because there were storms happening, and the water was pretty churned up.) Was it tough? Yes, definitely, but also amazing. Over the course of the four years, I've seen many, many sea turtles, many rays (spotted and otherwise), incredible fish, starfish, and more. I was there one year when people saw dolphins, but I have never been so lucky. My first year, my placement was bleech. I did it in 2:51 something, and I was pleased with that considering it was my first time. The second year, the conditions were much worse--pretty tough and often raining--and I did it in 2:48. Then, I skipped a year, mostly because of Hurricane Wilma and the fact that our flights were through Miami and we didn't want to get stuck there with a then 4-year-old. Two years ago I went back and it was amazing. At that point, I had really grown as a swimmer and took 25 minutes off my time. I was third woman overall, thanks to the presence of some awesome juniors who took some of the top spots. My time was 2:23:36, and I was pretty psyched about that. Plus, I had a serious handicap because about 500 yards in, I was stuck my a Man-of-War. I don't want you to think that this is something that happens often there, but let's just say, it was miserable. It was unprecedented in the race, so people kept telling me it was sea lice. I knew it was something more than that, especially because I had pulled the tentacles off my arm! Without going into too much detail, I did have a brief emergency room visit--the people were awesome--and some great discomfort. Last year, we went back and I had another great race. Many, many turtles. So gorgeous! My time was 2:20:31, and I was happy with that. I'd love to get a 2:15 one year, but that's to come. I did have awful sea lice attacks and I had a very strong reaction. When I got home, I was very sick and what they think is that my immunity was generally reduced after the man-of-war sting. At this point, they recommend that I spend time away from that race so that my body has time to rebuild its immunity and get healthier. So, I'll be racing in Bermuda the weekend of St. Croix. I'm happy about trying something new, but sad about missing something that has become a great family adventure. In terms of some answers to your other questions, I would say the water is very warm. It's terrific after coming from cold, cold open water swims in New England. In terms of the toughest elements, it depends on the current. I would say that the race is different every year. The water has felt different every time I've done it. And I've learned to expect that. The hardest section for me is the middle one, from the first water stop to the second. There's something about it that feels like it should be easier than it is, and it always kicks my butt psychologically. I don't usually stop for the second water stop because at that point, I feel really good and powerful because I know I've made it that far. I would definitely practice your sighting, and again, do that snorkel trip the day before because you will get to see the course. I also recommend renting a car. We did it this year and it was really nice. Otherwise, you are dependent upon taxis which can get very expensive. St. Croix is not my top island choice, to be completely honest, but to be able to combine a tropical swim with a little beach getaway is awesome. Make sure you try a restaurant called Salud, the best meal we've had on the island, and also a place called Savant, which is decent, and has a beautiful spot for outdoor sitting. Make sure you ask them about sitting outside. It's not a foodies island, but these are a few spots that were worth trying. Okay, I have to help with dinner now, and that was probably more than you ever wanted to know! Any other questions??

Thanks guys! Your info is appreciated! sydned, that is awesome you've done the St. Croix swim 4X. I will see how my 3k and 5k swims go here this summer before throwing myself into the Caribbean off Buck Island. :drown: If I feel I am ready for a 5-mile/8km ocean swim I will make it a long weekend trip. (That is in the heart of hurricane season too...) How warm was the water? Did you see any sharks/marine life on the coral reef swim? What were your times/placings? What was the toughest/most challenging part? Thanks for feedback, hope to see you do it again this year!

sydned, Thanks for your informative reply! I read your post Friday nite but have not had time to reply until this morning. Great info. I am looking forward to this swim even more nwo. Congrats on your swim times and placings. 2:23:36 and 3rd overall is awesome. Your encounter with the Portuguese Man O' War not so awesome, but once we enter the ocean we are entering another world and we can be quite low on the food chain. I have been stung by "sea lice" in Florida before, not much fun. I had the incredible oppurtunity to live in FL for 4 months in 2006 and fell in love....I swam in the ocean every single day. (FL is my true home and my heart & soul is there - I would relocate in a heartbeat given the chance. That has been my single wish and dream since I was 21.) That is extremely cool you saw a shark, and some swimmers have seen dolphins. I hope I can get that lucky when I do the swim. When I go down I will most likely for sure stay at the host hotel and do the pre-swim snorkel/boat tour of the course. (I have read all the info on the site: http://www.swimrace.com) I am not quite sure how to train for a distance open water event like this but I train with Masters 2X/week and swim 2X/week on my own. (All in a 25m SC pool.) I have my eye on some open water swimming books and plan to do two fairly decent sized well-organized open water swims here this summer, 3k and 5k, so we'll see how they go before attempting an 8k in the ocean. I do feel fairly confident though, especially with 8 months of training. I will do some open water distance training this summer in local lakes as well. (Right now they are frozen over and covered in Ski-Doo's and ice fishing huts - Canadian's are friggin' nuts...I freeze below 70F and don't spend much time outside between November and April.) I really appreciate the info and I will be referring back to your post for trip tips as we get closer. I hope your Bermuda swim is great (what swim are you doing there??) and you do the St. Croix again in the future. Thanks again!!

Glad the information was helpful. I know it was a bit rambling! Please feel free to ask other questions as they arise. And I think you will have a terrific time! I wish I could be there again... Sydne

Sydne, No rambling at all, I enjoyed reading (and re-reading) your post! Is this the race you are planning to do that weekend in Bermuda: www.aquamoonadventures.com/page1.html Which distance? That looks like a very cool swim as well, and hopefully no sea lice/Man O' War attacks on you in those waters! I am still unsure of how to properly prepare/train for these OW swims I have planned (unfortunately the majority of my training will be in a 25m indoor pool). I am training with Masters, and there's a lot of triathletes on the team, and I hope to get some local OW swim training in through the summer. Water temp here will be an issue, hopefully we have a great summer like last year. I will be starting with a 3k in July to see how I do... Basically, what kind of pool training do you do to prep for a swim like this? Thanks! T