As an open water swimmer at heart, I got fed up with pool swimming about a month ago, and switched to almost entirely to cross country skiing 2-3 times/wk, about an hour per ski. I jumped back in the pool this week, and felt like I hadn't missed a beat; perhaps even a little stronger. I haven't had this experience with any other activity; certainly not running or biking. Now what to do about mud season - no snow and icy lakes. Hm.
Hopper
www.swimvacation.com
Parents
Former Member
This is a good thread. As far as Eric1 and Geochuck (Hi George!), when a person has swam their entire life, they almost instinctively know how many strokes they are swimming per minute when fresh, tired, pooped, ill. After thousands of miles of swimming, we just "know". One thing that leads to this is a lot of pace work, excuse me, tons of pace work; a "feel" for this comes about.
As far as training for open water, that's my answer. Open water swimming, especially in the ocean with lots of current, tides going two ways at the same time (yes, this happens at special times), high winds and 3 foot seas, that is a workout like no other. A half an hour in this kind of situation is like 3 miles in a pool at a minimum. Plus navigation which requires head lift every so often adds to more exercise.
My only cross training is weight lifting and stretch cordz. Oh, since I am somewhat overweight, every time I enter my house I have to climb 30 stairs so that's my Stairmaster. But honestly, I find that weight lifting and open water training are more than enough.
Roatan to Utila swim (21 miles) still in my plans after surgery in May! Probably the end of 2010 when I do this swim. The current in the first 8 miles is horrific and will try to sweep me towards Belize. I go down to the point here where I will enter the water and just watch those four foot waves running several knots. At least the worst is at the beginning.
Donna
This is a good thread. As far as Eric1 and Geochuck (Hi George!), when a person has swam their entire life, they almost instinctively know how many strokes they are swimming per minute when fresh, tired, pooped, ill. After thousands of miles of swimming, we just "know". One thing that leads to this is a lot of pace work, excuse me, tons of pace work; a "feel" for this comes about.
As far as training for open water, that's my answer. Open water swimming, especially in the ocean with lots of current, tides going two ways at the same time (yes, this happens at special times), high winds and 3 foot seas, that is a workout like no other. A half an hour in this kind of situation is like 3 miles in a pool at a minimum. Plus navigation which requires head lift every so often adds to more exercise.
My only cross training is weight lifting and stretch cordz. Oh, since I am somewhat overweight, every time I enter my house I have to climb 30 stairs so that's my Stairmaster. But honestly, I find that weight lifting and open water training are more than enough.
Roatan to Utila swim (21 miles) still in my plans after surgery in May! Probably the end of 2010 when I do this swim. The current in the first 8 miles is horrific and will try to sweep me towards Belize. I go down to the point here where I will enter the water and just watch those four foot waves running several knots. At least the worst is at the beginning.
Donna
