I am doing the English channel next Sept 2011. I am trying to get a good handle on the cold water thing. So this is what I have been doing but if anyone knows of other tricks I would love to know what they did to prepare for the English channel cold water.
At the moment I take a cold shower every day and 2 times a week sit in a bath full of ice. I live close to lake Michigan and right now the temp has been around 56-64 I have been doing no wet suit. I am up to a 2 hour swim in the cold but have to do a 6 hour cold water swim this Oct. At about two hours my feet lose feeling and my hands too. I can feel my core start to really get cold.
I have used may things to keep warm on being Vaseline did work just got my goggles all messed up, Crisco has done ok. But I am think of getting some Lanolin but dont know if it will be better. Has anyone used it and feel like it has worked far better?
The other thing is my Coach and I are going to set up a floating raft ancoared down and us it for a feeding station. I was thinking of putting a jug of hot water in there to pour over my self. Has anyone tryed this? I want to do hot liquides but my coach said the last guy he trained for the channel had hot tea and he cramped up. Wonder in if that was just him or because the water is so cold with the hot it Shocks your body. My coach told me to not worrie this will all come in time but I have 2 months till my 6 hour swim in 60 or less water temp and it is freeking me out. So any one that knows of some tricks please post them!!!! thanks Aurora :coffee::coffee:
The best thing for cold water training is it that, training in the cold water. The second best thing is adding weight.
In 2005, I had a successful Catalina Crossing, water temp 65 to 68 degrees, body weight 196. Time 11 hours and 43 minutes. Felt awful for days after. It was an ugly swim.
In 2006, I had a unsuccessful 14 hour English Channel attempt, water temp 63 degrees, weight 183 pounds. No enough weight to insulate me. Quit when I could not keep warm.
In 2010, I had a successful Catalina Crossing, water temp 64 to 60 degrees, weight 205. Swim time was 10 hours and 41 minutes. A great swim. Was not wiped out by it and was able to see the dolphins playing in the boats wake back to Long Beach.
Swam a number of 5 and 6 hours swims in 64 degree fresh water. This helped, but I am usually comfortable to 56 degrees. Lower than that I just want to get out.
The best thing for cold water training is it that, training in the cold water. The second best thing is adding weight.
In 2005, I had a successful Catalina Crossing, water temp 65 to 68 degrees, body weight 196. Time 11 hours and 43 minutes. Felt awful for days after. It was an ugly swim.
In 2006, I had a unsuccessful 14 hour English Channel attempt, water temp 63 degrees, weight 183 pounds. No enough weight to insulate me. Quit when I could not keep warm.
In 2010, I had a successful Catalina Crossing, water temp 64 to 60 degrees, weight 205. Swim time was 10 hours and 41 minutes. A great swim. Was not wiped out by it and was able to see the dolphins playing in the boats wake back to Long Beach.
Swam a number of 5 and 6 hours swims in 64 degree fresh water. This helped, but I am usually comfortable to 56 degrees. Lower than that I just want to get out.
