New to this forum, so hello!
I want to enter my first 1 mile open water swim event on July 9th, but I'm not sure if I'm ready. I've been swimming recreationally all my life but only recently have decided to get into this, so I've been training seriously for 2 and a half weeks. I can definitely do 25 laps nonstop in a 25 meter pool, and pushing myself can do 30.
Any opinions on if this is enough time? Am I fit enough or should I wait for a later event?
I'm going to train as if I'm going to enter and then see how I feel. Any recommendations for workouts in the three weeks till the event? If do three workouts a week, that gives me nine workouts.
At what point in those three weeks should I be able to do the necessary 70 or so laps?
Any recommendations on wetsuits?
Thank you so much,
Manny
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Former Member
Thank you so much for your responses. Although I can now swim a mile in the pool without stopping, I swam by myself in the ocean on Sunday and was blown away by how different it is. The cold water took a little of my breath away, I felt like I was going nowhere, I couldn't see in the water (which was disconcerting), and I was veering all over the place. I also have to admit that I was thinking about sharks the whole time! Open water swim is a hell of a physical and mental challenge - I know I can do it, but I realize that I have to be more fit and more confident before attempting this. My cousin (who is a triathlete) says I need to be able to swim 2000 to 2500 yards nonstop in the pool first.
If you can do a mile in the pool, you can definitely pull of a mile in open water. However, your time will most certainly be slower, so don't expect it to be the same as the pool. Just like you, I recently began my open water swimming career (swam my first 1-mile about three weeks ago). Everything you described about the temperature, current and feeling like you are going nowhere sounds about right. It will definitely be harder than it is for you in the pool, but don't get too psyched out. Sounds like you are making great progress.
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Former Member
Thank you so much for your responses. Although I can now swim a mile in the pool without stopping, I swam by myself in the ocean on Sunday and was blown away by how different it is. The cold water took a little of my breath away, I felt like I was going nowhere, I couldn't see in the water (which was disconcerting), and I was veering all over the place. I also have to admit that I was thinking about sharks the whole time! Open water swim is a hell of a physical and mental challenge - I know I can do it, but I realize that I have to be more fit and more confident before attempting this. My cousin (who is a triathlete) says I need to be able to swim 2000 to 2500 yards nonstop in the pool first.
If you can do a mile in the pool, you can definitely pull of a mile in open water. However, your time will most certainly be slower, so don't expect it to be the same as the pool. Just like you, I recently began my open water swimming career (swam my first 1-mile about three weeks ago). Everything you described about the temperature, current and feeling like you are going nowhere sounds about right. It will definitely be harder than it is for you in the pool, but don't get too psyched out. Sounds like you are making great progress.
