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?
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.
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.
Just my opinions:
1. Salt water can make you sick if you take too much in. That said, I've never experienced it. I have gotten severe (near terminal) heartburn after races in salt water, though. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but just try not to drink Boston Harbor dry. The good news is that salt water makes you more buoyant/faster.
2. Sounds like you will probably be OK temperature-wise. The water could be in the mid-60's or it could be in the mid-50's depending on the weather. You might want to travel to somewhere in that area at least once to get a feel for what you are going to face and then make a decision about doing more traveling to cold water based on that. The year I did it I had almost no cold water training. However, I am part polar bear. One "trick" that I use is that I sleep without much in the way of covers year-round. Winter is often just a cotton sheet or very light blanket and summer is just sleeping on top of the bed. I often wake up with a cat on each side as they try to get body heat off me.
3. I've never cramped up, so I'm not sure what to say. You may want to consult with a doctor and/or trainer about this. I do think that that flexibility and being sure that your diet has adequate electrolytes is an easy win in this area. BTW, if memory servers me, David Barra may have had some issue with this at MIMS. David?
4. It's good idea to at least be able to bilateral breathe comfortably for brief stretches of your swim. It can relax over-used muscles, help you sight and make breathing easier if the waves are smashing into your preferred side. Easiest way to train it is to go up one side of the pool breathing to your right and then swim back breathing to your left. You don't need to do huge amounts of this, just enough to be comfortable for short stretches during the race. Also be sure that you are doing some gentle stretches for the neck muscles and upper back in your preparation.
Other:
If you are doing 40k/week you will have NO problem handling the distance - cramps and cold water aside. Even if it is rough, you will have enough in the tank to do this and do pretty well, I'd bet.
Make sure your boat person knows what they are doing and where they are going. Knowledge of the harbors currents and navigation is a great help.
Go heavy on the sunscreen.
Please feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way.
-LBJ
You definitley ar etraining enough fo rthe BLS. I did no OW training prior to my Boston swim last year. I did nothing to acclimate myself as I seem to get cold easily except when it comes to swimming. I like Leonard may be part Polar Bear as I never felt cold. As far as the bouy for temp, last year it was reading 66-67 at the time of the BLS. In fact, it was 60-63 along the course.
As for salt water, more abrasion was a problem (straps of suit) & my tongue/mouth got sores. Any solutions for this? I am swimming in just over 2 weeks in sea water & would like to avoid this if possible.
One other point is to have a feeding schedule down & what is comfortable on your stomach.
Thanks Leonard, JDY and Fish for your thoughts!! Very reassuring and helpful advice. I had no idea about the salt water bouyancy, I am looking forward to that. I'm still most worried about the effects of 60 degree water and my leg cramps, but less so now. Thank you!
