I want to swim The Clean Harbor Swim in Gloucester, MA on August 22. Does any one think it is possible if i start training now? I would guess that right now i could swim 100 to 150 yards without stopping. If anyone knows a way to train for a mile in 4 weeks it would be much appreciated.
Maybe. Depending on what kind of shape you're in now and how good your stroke is (100 yards without stopping isn't very far). The big thing will be to stretch that 100 yards into 2000. That means endurance by training your body to hold a pace and recover quickly. There's no shame in floating on your back for a breather during your swim. My recommendation:
1. Swim as much as you can (i.e. every day)
2. Try to establish endurance by figuring out a good pace you can hold. A good work out would be bunches of shorter distances on set or decreasing intervals. Always swim at the same pace. For example if you can swim 50 yards in 40 seconds comfortably.
3 x 50 on 1:05 (25 sec rest)
3 x 50 on :55 (15 sec rest)
3 x 50 on :45 (5 sec rest)
easy 100
rest 1:00
repeat 4 times hold each swim at :40 (even when you have more rest)
3. Every third or fourth work out test your endurance by swimming longer distances. 200's the first week, 300's the second, 500's the fourth.
4. After two weeks, try swimming 1000 straight. A few days before, try the full 2000.
If it doesn't work, we'll always wish it had.
Ok, I'm going to be a downer here and say no. It may be possible to get yourself up to 1.2 miles in a pool in 4 weeks, but I don't think you would be prepared for the Gloucester swim. Do you have any kind of swimming background at all?
Swimming 1.2 miles in the ocean is not like a casual walker/jogger/runner doing a 5K. It's not like you can just stop and walk if you can't make it, kwim?
I've done that race several times and it is not the easiest swim if you're not in shape. It goes out into the ocean from the shore and is often choppy. Plus, the water is very cold. Do you have a wetsuit? I've done it without but have been in the minority.
Former Member
I'm swimming in a 2.25 race next saturday (Teal lake race in Ishpeming/negaunee MI) . My goal? Don't drown.
I've been training about 4 weeks.
Before that I was on a bicycle trip, so my cardiovascular is up. Right now I'm swimming about 2600 yards and I take 2 to 3 days to recover.
As the previous poster suggested, I plan to float on my back a lot and hope for warm water.
Mick
