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 don't think it's strictly necessary to do a full 8 miles in the pool in order to finish. Of course, it wouldn't hurt. I do think that you might want to get to the point where you can do about 1/2 the distance (or so) on a regular basis and 3/4 of the distance once in a while. I would also suggest the following type of workout: Swim for a given time and then every so often, go hard for a distance and then go right back to pace. Example: If you are swimming for an hour, "sprint" a hard 50 on every 5 minute mark, or some variation of that. Start small and work your way up in terms of total time, frequency of hard effort and distance of hard effort. Be sure your techniques is as efficient as you can get it. I'm not going to get into the religious war of technique, but at least check out Total Immersion and Swim Smooth.
-LBJ
This post was really helpful to me. Great training suggestions. I have several follow-up questions, for you or anyone else.
As background, I am swimming the BLS this year, and its my first race longer than 3 miles, first in temps this low, and first ocean race. I am training in a combo of OW lakes and pools, doing the equivalent of 40K yards per week, no coach to guide me however. I have swum 4.5 continuous in training so far, and going 6-7 should not be a problem and is on the training plan in the next few weeks. My goal is just to finish - not sure what pace I might achieve in those conditions, on a good day 25 min miles should be doable, but i don't know what the waves and temp will do to me.
My questions:
1. How big a difference is salt water going to make for a swim that long? Is dealing with salt water ingestion a huge issue that I am not aware of?
2. I have been training comfortably at 66 - 68 degrees OW for 2 hours at a time. I take nothing but cold showers at 57 (as low as mine goes) every day to help acclimate. Given these facts, would you invest a lot of time travelling to colder water training spots if you were me? I would have to make some significant sacrifices to do so. The temp for the BLS as of today is 59.
3. After about 3 miles continuous, I tend to fight leg cramps. When I can touch down and stretch they are no problem, but in OW they can spread up my leg and sieze me. I am gradually working through it, and improving all the time at this (working on flexibility, heavier training to reduce fatigue, diet, muscle relaxation, etc.). Any experience or thoughts about this to share for a swim like this?
4. Bilateral breathing is something I can do but prefer to avoid. Is it so essential to a swim like this that I should be more disciplined about it and force it into my training every day?
Your thoughts and anyone's are greatly appreciated.
I don't think it's strictly necessary to do a full 8 miles in the pool in order to finish. Of course, it wouldn't hurt. I do think that you might want to get to the point where you can do about 1/2 the distance (or so) on a regular basis and 3/4 of the distance once in a while. I would also suggest the following type of workout: Swim for a given time and then every so often, go hard for a distance and then go right back to pace. Example: If you are swimming for an hour, "sprint" a hard 50 on every 5 minute mark, or some variation of that. Start small and work your way up in terms of total time, frequency of hard effort and distance of hard effort. Be sure your techniques is as efficient as you can get it. I'm not going to get into the religious war of technique, but at least check out Total Immersion and Swim Smooth.
-LBJ
This post was really helpful to me. Great training suggestions. I have several follow-up questions, for you or anyone else.
As background, I am swimming the BLS this year, and its my first race longer than 3 miles, first in temps this low, and first ocean race. I am training in a combo of OW lakes and pools, doing the equivalent of 40K yards per week, no coach to guide me however. I have swum 4.5 continuous in training so far, and going 6-7 should not be a problem and is on the training plan in the next few weeks. My goal is just to finish - not sure what pace I might achieve in those conditions, on a good day 25 min miles should be doable, but i don't know what the waves and temp will do to me.
My questions:
1. How big a difference is salt water going to make for a swim that long? Is dealing with salt water ingestion a huge issue that I am not aware of?
2. I have been training comfortably at 66 - 68 degrees OW for 2 hours at a time. I take nothing but cold showers at 57 (as low as mine goes) every day to help acclimate. Given these facts, would you invest a lot of time travelling to colder water training spots if you were me? I would have to make some significant sacrifices to do so. The temp for the BLS as of today is 59.
3. After about 3 miles continuous, I tend to fight leg cramps. When I can touch down and stretch they are no problem, but in OW they can spread up my leg and sieze me. I am gradually working through it, and improving all the time at this (working on flexibility, heavier training to reduce fatigue, diet, muscle relaxation, etc.). Any experience or thoughts about this to share for a swim like this?
4. Bilateral breathing is something I can do but prefer to avoid. Is it so essential to a swim like this that I should be more disciplined about it and force it into my training every day?
Your thoughts and anyone's are greatly appreciated.
