Hi all,
Don't worry, I'm not asking if it's too late to try it this year. (It is, except for people doing the relay.) I'm a tad crazy but not that crazy! :)
Even next year is unlikely because based on what I've read, I think it would be wiser to get more comfortable with longer distance swims--and so next year, I'm thinking of doing the Great South Bay Swim for the second time (5+ miles), plus maybe some 2-4 mile swims, so distance in open water isn't a novelty but something I'm accustomed to.
The Boston Light Swim looks very intriguing historically and as a swimming challenge. It's definitely too much swim for me just now but I am wondering if it's something that I can reasonably hope to work my way up to. My only ambtion in this as it was in the Great South Bay swim is to beat the cut-off time. I did the 5.25 mile distance in 3:25, but I'd want to improve my speed/strength since the BLL from what I understand has some tricky currents and a person needs to be ready for them. The GSB swim had a tide assist to start off--and some pretty intense chop in the last couple miles. I thus learned that I can keep swimming while seasick. It's a useful thing to know. ;) Of course, I might also want to get a better idea of how to prevent seasickness....
So, first off what kind of experience did you have before you began training for the BL swim and how did you prepare for it? And do you think it would be realistic for me to consider doing it in, say, two years?
Parents
Former Member
I swam it last year (2nd female, 5th overall). We had great conditions & I felt it wasn't too bad. I also had a great boat pilot that really checked out the course/currents ahead of time. It was cool temp (low 60's) but not as much wavw action as I felt in the Great Chesapeake swim (2004). I have also done Trans -Tahoe relay, and do a 5k at Elk Lake yearly, or almost. I trained at least 25,000 yds/ week for about 5 months prior to the swim.
A different group of people have taken over running the swim with renewed enthusiasim so it should be a great swim!
I swam it last year (2nd female, 5th overall). We had great conditions & I felt it wasn't too bad. I also had a great boat pilot that really checked out the course/currents ahead of time. It was cool temp (low 60's) but not as much wavw action as I felt in the Great Chesapeake swim (2004). I have also done Trans -Tahoe relay, and do a 5k at Elk Lake yearly, or almost. I trained at least 25,000 yds/ week for about 5 months prior to the swim.
A different group of people have taken over running the swim with renewed enthusiasim so it should be a great swim!