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:
Does anyone know if there are any "calculators" out there our guidelines for this relative to body weight and water temp? I'm not worried about me, but I'm taking 3 teenaged girls (my daughters and their friend) out to La Jolla this weekend for the Rough Water swim and the water's likely to be 66-68. While they're only doing a mile, these are very lean kids. I'm wondering if 20-25 minutes in this temp is dangerous?
If the question is about safety, the only thing that matters is core temperature. Fat can help - it insulates the core - but even if you're lean you can generate plenty of heat through exertion. Which is why I'm not sure tolerance for a cold bath is relevant - there's no exertion to compensate.
But don't confuse safety with comfort. Anything sub-65F probably won't be comfortable, for anyone, even the "well-acclimated." You may lose sensation in your extremities, but that won't necessarily affect your core temperature.
Patrick, if the girls can do an OW mile in 20-25 minutes, they're pretty decent swimmers and know how to maintain a tempo. I'm no physician, but if that's the case, they'll most likely be safe in anything 60 or above. In the low-60's, they won't be happy about it, but they'll be safe.
Personally, I'm planning to do Big Shoulders this weekend (sans wetsuit) in anything above 57. It would definitely suck at that temperature, but with a race tempo I'm fairly sure I can generate enough of my own heat to pull it off.
Try a bath in 65 degree water. If you can handle that for 15 minutes then you should be able to swim in 63. I think you will find 65 to be down right chilly.
Based on the warm water training, I think you should strongly consider a wetsuit. Just my opinion.
I just tried on a Blue seventy wetsuit from our store. I'm going to try it out in the pool tomorrow. I am thinking I will most likely wear it in the swim.
I don't think I could get myself to sit still in a 65 degree bath. I am a wimp. But I'll be a warm wimp :afraid:
Scripps Pier reported at 65.1 today...
www.nodc.noaa.gov/.../spac.html
I noticed that. Pretty sure I looked a few days back and it was just a hair under 60, like 59.7 or something. So it would seem it's a little volatile. Under 60 sounds cold!
I'm thinking of double capping and Mack's ear plugs.I just ordered this cap -- www.trisports.com/blseirskcap.html -- for my daughters, their friend and I. I'll wear ear plugs and then a latex cap over top of the B70 cap.
I saw that it was under 60 a few days ago as well. A quick check on my flight reservations indicated a no cancellation policy. I guess I've got to go through with the race regardless of the water temp.Yeah, I'm in. The good thing for me is that I entered both the 1 mile and Gatorman. I'll know after the mile if I can handle the temp for an hour plus.
Any other tricks for staying warm? I usually like to go long DPS and low stroke rate for as long as possible in OW swims, but I think I'll be sprinting the start on this one for much longer than I normally do.
The NOAA web site claims 64, but they usually measure a good distance off shore. The San Diego Lifeguards claim 63. I'm sticking with my chilly 62.
SD Lifeguards have a recorded message of water temp, they are usually accurate by a degree.
SD Lifeguards recorded message, (619) 221-8824.
Scripps Pier reported at 65.1 today...
www.nodc.noaa.gov/.../spac.html
I'm thinking of double capping and Mack's ear plugs.
I noticed that. Pretty sure I looked a few days back and it was just a hair under 60, like 59.7 or something. So it would seem it's a little volatile. Under 60 sounds cold!
I saw that it was under 60 a few days ago as well. A quick check on my flight reservations indicated a no cancellation policy. I guess I've got to go through with the race regardless of the water temp.
I just ordered this cap -- www.trisports.com/blseirskcap.html -- for my daughters, their friend and I. I'll wear ear plugs and then a latex cap over top of the B70 cap.
I've got a DeSoto cap just like that. I'll bring it and try it out on Saturday. I've had some minor problems with the chin strap chafing in salt water.
The neoprene cap really helps keep me warm. I use it during warm-up on cold mornings at the pool.
