Due to other injuries and issues keeping me from the bike and not running very much, I am dedicating this season to the OWS :) Found a great looking race at Lake Mead, 8K point to point. The longest race I've done is 4K in an ironman, I've done several 2 milers. IM swim was 59 minutes so I am not super fast (in "real swimmer" terms) but can get it done
I've got 5 months to train for it.
Typical week for me is Masters Tues/Thurs with 3000-3500 per session, and 1 OWS of 1 mile, increasing to 2 over the next couple weeks. This is what I did for the IM as well.
Should I be working up to 4 mile OWS? Adding 1 day in the pool? 2 days? Working towards 5K sessions?
Any advice appreciated
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Former Member
ChrisM
I am in a similar boat except that triathlons were suppose to be the first part of my season finishing up at a 1/2 IM at the end of June. However, I have been unable to run since January so that plan has been drying up. This is easier for me though because OWS is my first sport.
First I think 5 months is enough if you are willing to turn you focus to swimming. You'll need to swim 5 days a week IMHO. To say there is a difference between 1 mile and 8K is an understatement. It is not the same as going from a 20 mile bike ride to a century, or a 10K to a marathon. Those are a lot easier. There is much you will need to master, including hydration and nutrition. With your background (as little as I know) I think you should immediately find 5K races to swim before your 8K. I would also add 2 1500 meter OW races.
How much pool time you'll need will be in part dependent on how good your stroke is. You have swam a 59 in a 4K Ironman so it is probably reasonably good. So your pool time will be focused on swimming better. I think if you can get in 3 coached masters workouts, 1 OW workout 3 - 5 K and a 5th workout on your own you should have no problem.
On the other hand if you are swimming a 59 4K at the front of an Ironman, you could gut it out with a simple hydration & nutrition regimen. But the question would be why? It just wouldn't be any fun. However I must admit that the first time I did a 10K was in the ocean and I did not plan to do it. I was in a Zen state and just didn't stop. But even then I had 4 GU packs in my suit.
ChrisM
I am in a similar boat except that triathlons were suppose to be the first part of my season finishing up at a 1/2 IM at the end of June. However, I have been unable to run since January so that plan has been drying up. This is easier for me though because OWS is my first sport.
First I think 5 months is enough if you are willing to turn you focus to swimming. You'll need to swim 5 days a week IMHO. To say there is a difference between 1 mile and 8K is an understatement. It is not the same as going from a 20 mile bike ride to a century, or a 10K to a marathon. Those are a lot easier. There is much you will need to master, including hydration and nutrition. With your background (as little as I know) I think you should immediately find 5K races to swim before your 8K. I would also add 2 1500 meter OW races.
How much pool time you'll need will be in part dependent on how good your stroke is. You have swam a 59 in a 4K Ironman so it is probably reasonably good. So your pool time will be focused on swimming better. I think if you can get in 3 coached masters workouts, 1 OW workout 3 - 5 K and a 5th workout on your own you should have no problem.
On the other hand if you are swimming a 59 4K at the front of an Ironman, you could gut it out with a simple hydration & nutrition regimen. But the question would be why? It just wouldn't be any fun. However I must admit that the first time I did a 10K was in the ocean and I did not plan to do it. I was in a Zen state and just didn't stop. But even then I had 4 GU packs in my suit.
