Probably should have asked these two questions before now. I have a 2.4 miler in the morning in the Ohio River near Louisville. It's 1.2 mile course repeated with half the course up stream and half downstream. Organizers promise the current is only 1 mph. Last year I did a swim across the Ohio in Cincinnati. While warming up in what was supposed to be a 2 mph current, I really noticed the impact (I typically only average about 2.5 mph without a current.) So here are my two questions:
When swimming up stream, should I adjust stroke rate and length? My typical ow distance stroke is a slower stroke rate, but maximum stretch and pull on each stroke (about 14 per 25y). But I'm wondering if more compact strokes at a higher rate would make a difference.
Like cycling should I coast more on the downstream portions and dig in on the upstream?
Thank you both for your help, but, alas, your advice was for naught. The course was clockwise starting up stream towards the center of the river and coming back down stream near the bank. First time I've ever been on a course that I needed to keep buoys to my right. Small buoys, and I couldn't sight worth a flip as I typically sight when I breathe to the left. I zigged. I zagged. I swam at least a quarter mile longer than the 2.4 mile course.
Seriously, we swam in the heart of thoroughbread and NASCAR country, and they made us turn right?!
Fun swim, I guess. First time I've ever:
a) had someone to swim with after a half mile
b) caught someone in the last 200 meters of a race
I tried to keep body deep as Chaos prescribed, but every time I did I veered so badly to the left that I couldn't sight the tiny buoys. Live and learn, I guess.
Accounting for not tapering (stiff for the first half of the race), the current, the clockwise course, and the failure to eat decently two days before the race, I'll take my time. Means the Big Shoulders should go well for me in three weeks.
Thank you both for your help, but, alas, your advice was for naught. The course was clockwise starting up stream towards the center of the river and coming back down stream near the bank. First time I've ever been on a course that I needed to keep buoys to my right. Small buoys, and I couldn't sight worth a flip as I typically sight when I breathe to the left. I zigged. I zagged. I swam at least a quarter mile longer than the 2.4 mile course.
Seriously, we swam in the heart of thoroughbread and NASCAR country, and they made us turn right?!
Fun swim, I guess. First time I've ever:
a) had someone to swim with after a half mile
b) caught someone in the last 200 meters of a race
I tried to keep body deep as Chaos prescribed, but every time I did I veered so badly to the left that I couldn't sight the tiny buoys. Live and learn, I guess.
Accounting for not tapering (stiff for the first half of the race), the current, the clockwise course, and the failure to eat decently two days before the race, I'll take my time. Means the Big Shoulders should go well for me in three weeks.
