Howdy -
I'm swimming to get in shape. I've been here before but started my training wrong and hurt the shoulders and stopped (few years back now). Weight and time kept increasing and I'm back. I can do a 1700-2400 yd workout in a SCY pool now without much difficulty (been back a bit over a month, lost 15 lbs and doing some PT proactively for the shoulder support muscles, feeling better). Well someone at work talked to me about a swim they are going to (Peak's to Portland swim to benefit the Portland, ME YMCA). It is "only" 2.4 miles, open water, in the ocean (Atlantic in July.. 50s for water temp?).
I am going to hit search here for training but looking for suggestions. I have just over 3 months to train (middle July). The other day I did 900yds without rest (I know, not a big deal but compared to a month ago, not bad) but that was a SCY pool with turns/kicks every 25yds.
So... What is a good strategy from going from "0 to 2 miles"? Our masters class is an informal class that is a workout group that meets 2 nights a week. We have a coach who runs swim teams for younger kids and has given great help on stroke so I'll be talking to her for thoughts but I wonder where I should be and when to get to that 2.4 miles by mid July?
Parents
Former Member
It's a fun swim. Hope this helps some.
Thanks JBS - I am definitely going to go with the suit for this first one, I think. Not overly accustomed to cold water (though I do enjoy swimming recreationally at York Beach when we visit there throughout the summer. Not a whole lot warmer than the temps you describe) and can stay in for some time. But with this being the first open water race I'll ever be in and knowing that the majority where them, I think I'll feel less anxious about cold related issues.
As for the lake.. Yeah.. I live in NH on a town that borders Southern Maine, we have a decent lake (3 ponds actually but they are connected as a lake). I just don't see any sign of ice out coming soon enough to get out there.
What beaches are good for open water swimming around here? I work up in Portland (just started working up there about 6 months ago). May just buy the suit and use it to practice perpendicular to long sands beach back and forth (though the surf area puts a kinks in those plans when they are out with their boards).
I'm also hoping to be seeded in the last wave and just stay away from the pack for this first time, pace myself and push it at the end.
It's a fun swim. Hope this helps some.
Thanks JBS - I am definitely going to go with the suit for this first one, I think. Not overly accustomed to cold water (though I do enjoy swimming recreationally at York Beach when we visit there throughout the summer. Not a whole lot warmer than the temps you describe) and can stay in for some time. But with this being the first open water race I'll ever be in and knowing that the majority where them, I think I'll feel less anxious about cold related issues.
As for the lake.. Yeah.. I live in NH on a town that borders Southern Maine, we have a decent lake (3 ponds actually but they are connected as a lake). I just don't see any sign of ice out coming soon enough to get out there.
What beaches are good for open water swimming around here? I work up in Portland (just started working up there about 6 months ago). May just buy the suit and use it to practice perpendicular to long sands beach back and forth (though the surf area puts a kinks in those plans when they are out with their boards).
I'm also hoping to be seeded in the last wave and just stay away from the pack for this first time, pace myself and push it at the end.
