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?
Gliding on Glass--
I won't try to add to Leonard's very knowledgeable advice. He's one of my distance swimming role models!
Just want to wish you success in your swim and I'm impressed you're averaging 25 min. miles!
One thing I can confirm from Leonard, as someone who grew up learning to swim in salt water. When I was a kid, my family belonged to a pool and I'd swim there a lot--then late in summer we'd spend vacation on Fire Island (salt water/bay/ocean), and I'd notice every year how much easier swimming felt in salt water, due to increased bouyancy.
Gliding on Glass--
I won't try to add to Leonard's very knowledgeable advice. He's one of my distance swimming role models!
Just want to wish you success in your swim and I'm impressed you're averaging 25 min. miles!
One thing I can confirm from Leonard, as someone who grew up learning to swim in salt water. When I was a kid, my family belonged to a pool and I'd swim there a lot--then late in summer we'd spend vacation on Fire Island (salt water/bay/ocean), and I'd notice every year how much easier swimming felt in salt water, due to increased bouyancy.
