Potomac River swim

How many people go into events like this w/ mostly pool training I wonder. Typically, the ONLY open water swimming I get to do is in races. I don't find it a problem, however, although I think alot of that is just that I train in the pool to mimic open water as best I can. Being fairly laid back and not over-thinking the issue seems to help as well. When I did MIMS in 2006, the only open water I had that year was a 3 miler (The Potomac River substitute swim that Julie mentioned) and a 2 mile race that I did as a goof-off. Didn't seem to affect me at all - at least for the 20 miles I did make before a non-swimming health issue forced me to drop out. -LBJ

Well that makes me feel better. I'm kind of a person who over prepares for most things and then on the big day just kind of do it without thought. Right now I do long straight swims every other wed. For example; 1500 WU, 4k on 52:00, 2x2k on 26:00, 2 x 1k on 13:00, 2x 500 on 6:30. 250 wd. I feel good that these days will set me up fine. It's not the distance, it the pace right? My main issue this year has been getting these damn colds. the take me out of the pol for 3 days. I'm also training for cleveland marathon on 5-17 and then IMKY in august. For those of you that have done this swim, how was it? water quality, TEMP, current? I spoke to the director a little but, I like to hear it from a few sources.

I was feeling a bit run down. I picked up a simple multivit. Centrum. I break themin half and take one in the morning w/ breakfast then one with a small meal later in the day. i'll check out the overtraining signs. of course i'venever been a good "sleeper" maybe because i'm always overtraining...? Now the big question is if I should borrow my buddies sleeveless/legless wetsuit. jhust wnough coverage to keep my core warm. I would rather not use one but, i think i'll do a little training in it just to get the feel in case the water hit's 60. Not sure what my body can handle. I appreciate the feedback. thanks all.

More questions. Is this section of the bay brackish or more saltwater? Have folks who have gone without a wetsuit been cold? Can I start the race in a wetsuit and then when the chafing starts take it off and give to my kayaker?

I did it years ago and the temp was quite warm (I don't remember the number). I don't do a wetsuit anyway, but that year it was warm enough for the jellyfish to come out, yippee. The water is brackish, I guess- a bit salty. There was nothing raised on the horizon , just a flat marshy land at the finish, so that was a bit disorienting - bring on the nausea (the only swims I had done before were things like Boston Light which has bridges, JFK Library, plenty to spot). The people were very nice, the organization was good, and I learned a lot. Good Luck!

I'm wondering about the wetsuits as well. i see the older pics and a lot of people aren't wearing them. i really don't want to but, should I?

Maybe. I've never trained for a swim of this distance. That's why I'm looking for feedback. I also train alone so it's hard to judge.

Ok. We are a month out from this swim. As always I'm looking for comfort knowing that i'm prepared. I've been in the 19.5-22k per week range for 7 weeks. i lost a week due to a massive flu in mid march. I'm swimming 4 times a week. m: 5-6k, wed am: 7500-9k, wed pm: 3500, f: 4-5 k. This week i battled a nasty cold and missed a moring due to preschool activity's. I did swim 8500 straght at 1:15 pace this morning...which kicked my ass, I think it's the cold that got me. I will end up at 21k this week, next week will be 6 swims- m-f twice on wed. Then I am cutting back as i'm runnning the Cleveland marathon on may 17. I think nextweek will be 24-27k. That's all my shoulders can handle and my massage therapist (wife) is getting sick of me. I'm looking to get a 10k in next week or week after...maybe. So that's what i'm into. PLEASE throw some feedback my way. Did i do enough? I've been consistent since october-building up. Lastly, i'm pretty sure i'll wear my sleevless/legless wetsuit come swim day, and that thing is a huge advantage.

Ok. We are a month out from this swim....i lost a week due to a massive flu in mid march. ...This week i battled a nasty cold and missed a moring due to preschool activity's. I did swim 8500 straght at 1:15 pace this morning...which kicked my ass, I think it's the cold that got me. ... That's all my shoulders can handle and my massage therapist (wife) is getting sick of me. I'm looking to get a 10k in next week or week after... I can't help wondering if you're a little overtrained. Maybe make every third week an easy week to let your body catch up? After all, that's where the actual training effect takes place, during rest and recovery.

I tried to do this swim a few years ago, I was only able to make 5.5 miles give or take. It was a bit too cold for me, but I don't swim distance fast enough to really warm myself up. The water was fine, mostly freshwater I think, or at least I don't remember it being salty. I would have liked to have finished, but at that time I couldn't. I didn't train enough either, once or twice a week if I was lucky, so that could have had something to do with it as well. I've got a 5 mile swim coming up in July that I hope I can get through. I'm in even worse shape now, but at least I shouldn't be cold.