Hi all,
I just joined USMS and have committed to doing my first open water swim (1 mile) in two weeks! I'm way out of practice and have just recently gotten back into it. I've been swimming just about every day, but it takes me nearly an hour to swim a mile at the pool.
Am I in over my head?!??! Should I be this nervous and scared? I've been told I can do it, but I worry that I can't!? Right now, my goal is to finish...? Haha. Is that reasonable?
Any tips from you seasoned (or not!) open water swimmers would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you thank you and happy swimming!
You can probably do it; whether it will be fun or meaningful is a different matter. Slowness per se is not a major concern (if water is warm enough so that you do not become hypothermic). Ability to keep on going in water over your head is more important. If you do get in trouble, you will be told ways to flag the escort boat - wave your cap, or holler - and you'll get a ride back to shore.
If you can comfortably pool swim a mile without putting your feet down and resting, you should do fine. If you rest a lot and don't have "go long, easy breathing" pretty well mastered, the season is yet young and you might be able to pick up another OW swim later in the summer.
In OW, you can vary strokes, do breaststroke, etc. You can tread water or just float. If possible, work with a coach to go long, breathe easily, and allay some of the anxiety.
There are LOTS of tips on first OW swim on this forum.
You can probably do it; whether it will be fun or meaningful is a different matter. Slowness per se is not a major concern (if water is warm enough so that you do not become hypothermic). Ability to keep on going in water over your head is more important. If you do get in trouble, you will be told ways to flag the escort boat - wave your cap, or holler - and you'll get a ride back to shore.
If you can comfortably pool swim a mile without putting your feet down and resting, you should do fine. If you rest a lot and don't have "go long, easy breathing" pretty well mastered, the season is yet young and you might be able to pick up another OW swim later in the summer.
In OW, you can vary strokes, do breaststroke, etc. You can tread water or just float. If possible, work with a coach to go long, breathe easily, and allay some of the anxiety.
There are LOTS of tips on first OW swim on this forum.
