I've been wanting to do Gatorman for a few years now. I've swum in the Cove a few times, mostly to the Shores and back. I've also done a 2 mile pier to pier swim the last 4 years, anywhere from :51 to 1:05, and a 2.4 miler in :59 (wetsuit, fresh water).
For some reason Gatorman really freaks me out.... Maybe because it doesn't really follow the shoreline and feels like open ocean?
I think I do plently of training (9-12K /week including OWS) and could make the cutoff.
I had an incident in a 2.4 mile swim in 2008 where I had severe vertigo an had to be pulled out of the water. Docs and I are convinced it was from pre race supplements that I don't do anymore, and I took to wearing earplugs. I've since been in MUCH rougher seas, and never had another issue, but I still think about that, and get freaked out about being alone.
I know I can use a paddler, but don't know if it's necessary, or where to find one. Are there guards along the whole route or only at the start/finish?
Other swims don't make me this nervous, I have no idea why the Gatorman makes me feel this way. Something about being out there in the middle of the Cove all alone gives me the jeebies.
ETA - forgot, I've also done alcatraz twice, which would seem to be more intimidating
Can anyone allay my fears?
Like I said, it's really just a feeling like I'd be in open ocean solo (I rationally know it's not really that).
It does feel like you are out in the wide open sea to a degree - but look up high enough and land is actually pretty close.
Chris,
Ahelee is totally right. I never lost sight of the beach on this swim. It feels no more 'solo in the ocean' than the 1 mile swim does. You've done way more ocean swimming than me, by the sounds of it. Aside from La Jolla, all of my OW swimming has been in lakes. Plus, if you've survived the muck of Tempe Town Lake, you owe it to yourself to race in the much more beautiful Pacific.
Chris -
Swim Gatorman with a friend. Commit to staying together no matter what the speed.This is a great idea. The first time my daughter swam a 4K in a lake (age 12), I paced her the whole way. It was a slow swim for me and we stopped and chatted a couple of times, but so much fun. If you just want to get this under your belt the first time, try this. Then, with your fear conquered, you can race it the next year ... and the next ... and the next.
Like I said, it's really just a feeling like I'd be in open ocean solo (I rationally know it's not really that).
It does feel like you are out in the wide open sea to a degree - but look up high enough and land is actually pretty close.
Chris,
Ahelee is totally right. I never lost sight of the beach on this swim. It feels no more 'solo in the ocean' than the 1 mile swim does. You've done way more ocean swimming than me, by the sounds of it. Aside from La Jolla, all of my OW swimming has been in lakes. Plus, if you've survived the muck of Tempe Town Lake, you owe it to yourself to race in the much more beautiful Pacific.
Chris -
Swim Gatorman with a friend. Commit to staying together no matter what the speed.This is a great idea. The first time my daughter swam a 4K in a lake (age 12), I paced her the whole way. It was a slow swim for me and we stopped and chatted a couple of times, but so much fun. If you just want to get this under your belt the first time, try this. Then, with your fear conquered, you can race it the next year ... and the next ... and the next.
