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?
It sounds like you're on track and have realistic goals about this swim. For my first open water swim, my goal was just to finish and have fun so I adopted a very smooth stroke, making sure to keep my shoulders and entries wide (less stress on the shoulder) and had a blast.
There is a temptation (especially in 60-62 water) to start of swimming like mad -- maybe even trying to keep up with the others. I recommend starting towards the back of the pack with a few *** strokes to bob your head in the water until the hyperventilation slows and move into freestyle from there.
Watch out, though. You do this swim, and you'll be hooked.
Watch out, though. You do this swim, and you'll be hooked.
I can see that :-) I had a good visit with PT for the first time today to work on some things for my slight shoulder pain I've been experiencing. His assessment and plan has me excited as well.
I actually also entered a 1.2 miler two weeks before this 2.4 miler to get used to OW in a competitive environment. It is a calm pond so it should be a good confidence builder. Plus there is a free OW clinic the night before the 1.2 miler for all entrants. I'll be taking plenty of mental notes there.
Yeah my goal for these first two swim events of my life (First OW/First race) is to not DNF.
I'll have a kayaker familiar with the area with me for the Peak's to Portland swim and I told him to expect a slower pace and to do some navigating help for me, especially if I take a few "rest" backstroke shots.
this may be of interest, it is in line with jbs' comments:
www.nodc.noaa.gov/.../natl.html
btw ... have you found your "forever" pace?
Thanks. Yeah guess the high 50s was a bit cold, looks more like 60-62. Still will likely opt for wet suit.
That first 1 miler I did in the pool felt like it may have been a forever pace. Stopped for a few reasons other than the too exhausted to go on/etc. So in a pool, I'd put that around 1:50-2:00/100. Now I just need to figure out my 1.2 and 2.4 mile pace so I can push it a bit harder ;-) And the OW pacing.
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)
Trunks are for going to the beach with the non-swimmers. Swimmers use briefs/jammers/etc. You'll never want to swim in trunks again!!
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 ;-)
Trunks are for going to the beach with the non-swimmers. Swimmers use briefs/jammers/etc. You'll never want to swim in trunks again!!
Completely agree with the last sentence. Jammers came in last week and hit the first swim with them last Thursday night. What a difference! Definitely a much better feel and either I was faster or the psychological effect made me feel faster. Either way great experience. In fact, I sat in the hot tub for the shoulders a bit after and couldn't help but get in and do another 200 just because I enjoyed swimming in 'em.
