Big Shoulders chicago swim

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

srcoyote — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:50:16 GMT

I've done several OWS now, and this one is my favorite. I was a sprinter in high school and hated swimming anything longer than a 200 in work out. If this is you, it is a good idea to at least do the 5K distance once in a pool before doing it in a lake. It gets you over the mental hurdle. The actual swim will then be a piece of cake. As for training in open water, I don't ever get to do so. I only train in pools and do just fine. My first OWS I looked up too much, and then not enough as I ran into a bank. It takes some getting used to.

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:33:20 GMT

I'll play devil's advocate here and say the 2.5K is the cop out distance :) Really, any competent swimmer can make the 5K distance with the appropriate training. Think how many people runs marathons every year, after all. Heck, that takes many people four hours or more. Swimming continuously for 1.5 hours or so isn't that big of a deal. As you pointed out, if you aren't in it to win you can take it easy. If you get too tired roll over onto your back and swim some double-armed backstroke for a couple minutes. Well I can't be seen as a cop out...Its go hard or go home. I just need to learn to train distance :afraid: I was always a mid d swimmmer in college, now that Im a grown up I decided I would be a drop dead sprinter and I love it...But im pretty sure if im outside swimming I can do a lot more distance. :dunno: From what I hear there are a lot of people that swim out there, I just need a good training group to work with. :wiggle:

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

knelson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:16:32 GMT

Unless you specifically want to do the 5k Championship swim, twice around the course, 2.5k is a perfectly fine option and more than enough distance to get really bored. I'll play devil's advocate here and say the 2.5K is the cop out distance :) Really, any competent swimmer can make the 5K distance with the appropriate training. Think how many people runs marathons every year, after all. Heck, that takes many people four hours or more. Swimming continuously for 1.5 hours or so isn't that big of a deal. As you pointed out, if you aren't in it to win you can take it easy. If you get too tired roll over onto your back and swim some double-armed backstroke for a couple minutes.

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:51:05 GMT

The last 3rd of the course is by the seawall, and you can put your feet down and take a rest, walk home. I always felt a little guilty walking along the seawall. But once I got there, I knew I was 2/3 done. And it is great to touch the bottom and walk just a little. ;) JIM

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:17:08 GMT

Katie and Matt, Big Shoulders takes place at Olive Street Beach, which is just north of Navy Pier. One of the best ways to practice is to swim at the actual site of the race. The beach will open Memorial Day weekend, in about a month. You can swim for 1/2 a mile one way, next to the concrete sea wall, which is parallel to Lake Shore Drive. This will give you a good feel for the water and potential conditions. Until then, maybe work on endurance. Are you able to swim 3 miles (5K) right now? The other thing you might want to consider, if you've never done a 5K before, is to think about doing the 2.5K instead. That's only a 1 1/2 miles. Maybe try that one first and see how it goes. If you want to try a warm up swim before that, there is a 1 and 2 mile swim in Crystal Lake in July. Hope this helps. Good luck! JIM Im pretty comfortable swimming a 5K....I think. Im just gonna have to get out there and swim on the lake. And I really got to check out that swim in crystal lake. I just need to find something to do this summer..I really have no where to train for LC meets so I figure why not give OW a chance :bliss:

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:42:53 GMT

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:53:16 GMT

Yea im in the same boat..I wanna try an OW swim, but I have no idea how to train for this, where to start training...I really like following the black line on the pool floor.

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

knelson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:28:58 GMT

I think it's actually Ohio Street Beach. Training in open water is certainly a good idea if you can, but I swim open water races and usually never train open water. If you can get in some open water training the main thing to work on is sighting. You don't want to have to stop and look around to see where you're at. You should be able to just lift your head a little and pick out landmarks. In the pool I don't think you need to train much differently than you would for pool racing. Obviously you want a good aerobic base and the ability to swim at pace for an hour or more. In my opinion, though, that doesn't mean you need to do lots of long distance swimming in the pool.

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:40:10 GMT

My team (Napervillewaves.org) practices at Ohio St beach a few Sundays every summer. There's always a lot of people there swimming up and down the seawall. They have lifeguards and it's usually shallow enough to stand up. there's a half submerged shopping cart about halfway up the course, which is always a point of interest :)

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

KEWebb18 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:55:20 GMT

I believe that there are several masters groups that have training for OW swims. You might want to check around your area, since you are in Chicago there are likely a lot of people training for this. When a colleague of mine was training for OW, she had the lifeguards take one of the lane lines out and she essentially swam in 2 lanes with several other people to create more waves. Not sure if that will work for you, but it worked for her.

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:42:42 GMT

One of last year's online coaches always included a distance-training swim in his weekly sets. Otherwise, these htreads may have something: Any tips for a FIRST time OW swim? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Cross Training for Open Water - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums OW Training routines? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums 5K Training Advice - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Cramping in Open Water Races - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Lake Michigan Workouts - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Newbie Question about Open-Water Racing - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums There are others. A bit of prowling through this forum will turn up similar threads. Good luck! Go long! Thanks everyone...I really just decided to do this race, the other day..So im hoping 4 months of solid training I can atleast finish :) My sprint background is what makes me nervous...Anything over a 100 is scary. :blush:

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Former Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:03:08 GMT

I think it's actually Ohio Street Beach. You're absolutely right, Kirk! I keep getting those confused. It's Ohio Street Beach and Olive Park. Matt, here's a link for the Crystal Lake Swim: Crystal Lake Open Water Swim JIM

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

Bobinator — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:49:13 GMT

Big Shoulder's is a GREAT ow swim. If you like breathing to the left it's perfect since the triangle markings will be to your left during the entire swim. I would practice a little bit of "lifting your head" every 25 or so strokes(depends on how straight you swim) to make sure you stay on course. Try to lift just to the tip of your goggles so you can see your markers and make sure your on course. Do not lift your entire head or *** stroke; that will slow you down too much. If you are uncomfortable swimming in lakes you might want to practice some longer swims in a lake. Go early in the morning, in a group, wear bright caps, and have predetermined "meet-up points to re-group and make sure everyone is still with you. A kayaker would be great too...if you have one available. If you really do "freak out" anytime you race over 100 yds. I recommend doing 3 or 4 one hour swims(pool or lake). These will give you the confidence you may need if this is your 1st ow swim....if you were just kidding I wouldn't worry about doing them. have fuln! :angel:

RE: Big Shoulders chicago swim

ViveBene — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:02:33 GMT

Unless you specifically want to do the 5k Championship swim, twice around the course, 2.5k is a perfectly fine option and more than enough distance to get really bored. :) Except for those few who are in it to win (out of 650), it's really just a big community swim. Dogs have done it. Ppl in flippers have done it. Go long, write a novel in your head. The last 3rd of the course is by the seawall, and you can put your feet down and take a rest, walk home.