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:
I did the LaJolla Gatorman on Sunday. I was surprised at the time differences from last year to this year. Last year was a "rough" year but water temps were 70-72F (if I remember correctly). This year wasn't as rough but water temps were reported at 62-65F. The race times seemed to be down across the board.
Random comparison of 50th place:
2009 1:11:17
2010 1:18:19
Personally, I was 8 minutes slower than last year but finished in about the same over-all position. Does cold water slow us down that much? Other factors?I last did it in 2008 when the water was definitely warmer, but I was also not in great shape. I was about 4 minutes faster then versus this year, as were a couple of other guys I know who beat me both years. I would think that times on this race year-to-year should be pretty comparable since we swim to a fixed point and aren't therefore subject to buoy missplacement / course marking. What I don't know is how much influence both temperature and tides/waves make? This race felt rough out in the open water even though the shore seemed milder than last year.
I did the LaJolla Gatorman on Sunday. I was surprised at the time differences from last year to this year. Last year was a "rough" year but water temps were 70-72F (if I remember correctly). This year wasn't as rough but water temps were reported at 62-65F. The race times seemed to be down across the board.
Random comparison of 50th place:
2009 1:11:17
2010 1:18:19
Personally, I was 8 minutes slower than last year but finished in about the same over-all position. Does cold water slow us down that much? Other factors?I last did it in 2008 when the water was definitely warmer, but I was also not in great shape. I was about 4 minutes faster then versus this year, as were a couple of other guys I know who beat me both years. I would think that times on this race year-to-year should be pretty comparable since we swim to a fixed point and aren't therefore subject to buoy missplacement / course marking. What I don't know is how much influence both temperature and tides/waves make? This race felt rough out in the open water even though the shore seemed milder than last year.
