My summer '08 open water swim plans...

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??

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??