Hi all. I am about 8 weeks out from a 5K Lake Swim. I am a strong pool swimmer but never done this distance in "open" water - pretty new here. I am convinced I can muscle though it if need be, but would like to make a competitive age group showing.
I am training almost exclusively in pool, so looking for advice, links, or books on workouts, distances, pace, taper (?), etc. Thanks for any advice.
Parents
Former Member
Two years ago I took the plunge into some open water races thinking that I was strong enough from pool training throughout the season. I quickly found out that there is no substitute for training in open water. Now into my third open water season I still find myself spending probably too much time in the pool, but in the local lakes at least once or twice a week. I've learned some lessons, the first being that pool strength does not necessarily equate to a "good showing" on open water race day. If this is your first attempt at this distance, go in with a mindset of swimming your best, learning some valuable lessons and enjoying the event. Meanwhile find a partner and get in the lakes to figure out what 5K without walls is going to feel like. :2cents:
I haven't got this all figured out yet either, and now I'm also staring down the barrel of my first 5K in September at Big Shoulders.
Two years ago I took the plunge into some open water races thinking that I was strong enough from pool training throughout the season. I quickly found out that there is no substitute for training in open water. Now into my third open water season I still find myself spending probably too much time in the pool, but in the local lakes at least once or twice a week. I've learned some lessons, the first being that pool strength does not necessarily equate to a "good showing" on open water race day. If this is your first attempt at this distance, go in with a mindset of swimming your best, learning some valuable lessons and enjoying the event. Meanwhile find a partner and get in the lakes to figure out what 5K without walls is going to feel like. :2cents:
I haven't got this all figured out yet either, and now I'm also staring down the barrel of my first 5K in September at Big Shoulders.
