We recently were informed Big Shoulder's 5K OW is likely to be cold this year. (60-63)
Due to a very warm summer in central Indiana most of my training was done in water 85-88 degrees warm. This week-end we got a break and out water has been 72 in the pool. (It feels so good!)
My question is how much lower to what I'm used to can I go and be safe?
I am 5'5" and weigh 117. I have done BS 5K in water as cold as 68 with no problem but I'm just not sure where to draw the line and bail into a wetsuit. I do not want to get hypothermia. I'm planning to be in the water somewhere between 1:20-1:30. :coffee:
Not yet a race report, but here's my pre-race test-the-water swim reactions in La Jolla today -- forums.usms.org/blog.php. Bottom-line: neoprene cap under regular cap with ear plugs worked wonders in 62-65 degree water for a warmup swim. Granted, we only did 0.5 miles and were in the water around 25 minutes (floated around a lot just to spend time in the water), but both my middle daughter (like 5'7" and '4" and 185 lbs) did well. I'll post back again tomorrow with any additional thoughts
Not yet a race report, but here's my pre-race test-the-water swim reactions in La Jolla today -- forums.usms.org/blog.php. Bottom-line: neoprene cap under regular cap with ear plugs worked wonders in 62-65 degree water for a warmup swim. Granted, we only did 0.5 miles and were in the water around 25 minutes (floated around a lot just to spend time in the water), but both my middle daughter (like 5'7" and '4" and 185 lbs) did well. I'll post back again tomorrow with any additional thoughts
