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
The regs more or less require the kayak escort unless I sign a waiver. I am definitely going to grab a kayak escort, actually already have one familiar with the area who'll help me out. Should give me some breaks from navigation. Definitely looking forward to this first OW event and hoping my pace is better than that easy pace I had for the first "can I even do a mile?" swim. I've set a few goals:
1.) Don't drown
2.) Don't DNF
3.) Be at least one better than the last one who didn't DNF.
As we get closer, I continue to increase endurance, strength, get in better shape and I do that 1.2 miler the goal may change (hopefully up) but either way knowing I have these events is a definite motivator to training harder which has the side effect of making the pounds keep coming off, the shoulders looking different, the energy increase, the resting pulse relax and the Mrs. making comments about new dimensions :)
As long as the PT I've started to work on shoulder issues helps and I can stay with it (Upper Cross syndrome... great, strong anterior muscles, though shortened and not stretched as well... inferior, overstretched and weak posterior - spinati, scapularis, etc) it should be a fun summer of getting in shape and some new personal goals with the swims. Who knows maybe next year I'll look for a longer swim if things go well this year :-)
I even just ordered a pair of jammers (to my wife's disappointment, she doesn't get it, I'm looking forward to seeing the difference in feel for water with those compared to trunks). Looking forward to doing some OW swims once it warms up a bit and ice melts some more 'round here with some groups. Think swimming with others and continuously may keep the distance training swims more interesting than watching the black line ;-)
The regs more or less require the kayak escort unless I sign a waiver. I am definitely going to grab a kayak escort, actually already have one familiar with the area who'll help me out. Should give me some breaks from navigation. Definitely looking forward to this first OW event and hoping my pace is better than that easy pace I had for the first "can I even do a mile?" swim. I've set a few goals:
1.) Don't drown
2.) Don't DNF
3.) Be at least one better than the last one who didn't DNF.
As we get closer, I continue to increase endurance, strength, get in better shape and I do that 1.2 miler the goal may change (hopefully up) but either way knowing I have these events is a definite motivator to training harder which has the side effect of making the pounds keep coming off, the shoulders looking different, the energy increase, the resting pulse relax and the Mrs. making comments about new dimensions :)
As long as the PT I've started to work on shoulder issues helps and I can stay with it (Upper Cross syndrome... great, strong anterior muscles, though shortened and not stretched as well... inferior, overstretched and weak posterior - spinati, scapularis, etc) it should be a fun summer of getting in shape and some new personal goals with the swims. Who knows maybe next year I'll look for a longer swim if things go well this year :-)
I even just ordered a pair of jammers (to my wife's disappointment, she doesn't get it, I'm looking forward to seeing the difference in feel for water with those compared to trunks). Looking forward to doing some OW swims once it warms up a bit and ice melts some more 'round here with some groups. Think swimming with others and continuously may keep the distance training swims more interesting than watching the black line ;-)
