My first open water swim-2.25mi am I ready?

Wow. No replies yet. I have my first open water swim on August 6th. I am also interested in hints or encouragement. I've no experience in open water and am freaking out, a bit.

Hello to both of you. You have experience swimming one mile in open water, but in my opinion if you head to the pool and swim 2.25 miles in the pool; you can be very confident that you will make. The 2.25 miles will let you know that you have the endurance to do it. At this point, you can do it. But you need to convince yourself that you can do it, the pool swim will help with that a lot. For Dadis, same thing, make sure you go and do the distance of your swim in the pool straight. That will help you feel better. For both of you, asmuch open water swimming as you can between now and then will help with the nervousness you may feel. Very important that if you can, go out to the site of your swim the day before and check it out. If you can swim there then do that. If all you can do is wade in up to yiour knees, then do that. That will allow you to see the vegetation, weater color etc. All of which may be different than what you are used to. As for the swim itself, take it easy, breathe away from the direction the waves are coming from. If you don't have an escort kayak, look up to check your direction every twenty armstrokes at least, I prefer more. Relax and enjoy, get into your groove and it will be fun.

My opinion is that if you have questions about whether you can do it, you probably shouldn't do it, for safety reasons. Jitters are one thing but the lack of confidence in your ability to do the distance is another.

Hey Kevin in MD, Thanks for your post. Those suggestions make sense. I usually swim about 4000 to 5000 yards (in the pool) on work days w/ weekends off. I hope to have some practice sessions soon. Better be soon, I guess.... Mindy, As far as eating: I plan to eat pasta the night before my big swim and eat some more carbs, fruit (banana / pear) the morning of. I'll stay away from dairy and citrus, and probably eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich an hour or so before the swim. That seems to be the conventional wisdom from Runners' World. For AG, Getting nervous is what I do and expect. I can't help myself. I'll be calmer than the day I was married, anyway. mindy again, Good luck. I'd like to read a report of your effort.

My opinion is that if you have questions about whether you can do it, you probably shouldn't do it, for safety reasons. Jitters are one thing but the lack of confidence in your ability to do the distance is another. I absolutely agree with this. I consider myself a strong swimmer but each time I get into open water, there is a part of me that panics. Knowing I am conditioned and can complete the distance puts my mind at ease. I would make sure you can comfortably swim the distance before you jump into the event, you will have more confidence and enjoy the experience more.

Hi Mindy and Dadis, I also have my first open water swim on August 6th. I swim 2-3 times each week and each time is between 3000 and 4000 meters. I know that I can make the distance because I do at every practice. I'm nervous for a several reasons, and I bet that is normal. 1. The swim is 2.2 miles across Lake Superior to an island ..... and I know the Edmund Fitzgerald song. 2. I've never worn a wetsuit so it is an unknown. I will receive the wetsuit rental a few days early so I will hit the water with it on and get used to the feeling. I've been told that the extra buoyancy is helpful. 3. I'm concerned that I'll get my butt kicked by my four daughters ages 17, 15, 13 and 13. They all completed this swim last year and did very well. 4. I'm having shoulder left soreness that concerns me. My practices have been slower as a result and it is an obstacle. I suggest that you get in the pool and swim at least 20% further than the open water event. Then you know that you can do it. No question. Go ahead, be nervous, get past it, and imagine how great you will feel when you have completed your first open water event. That is what I am looking forward to.

Hey Russ, You shouldn't have to worry about your shoulder, as the average temperature of lake Superior is about -20F. There should no issue with inflammation, and you will not have to ice down after the event! Try not to think about the creatures in the lake, like whitefish, trout and sturgeon. I am also swimming on the same day. It's in a reservoir north of Des Moines. I will try not to think about the little fishies and snapping turtles nibbling on my toes. my swim is 2.4 miles. I swam 1.5 at a friend's lake nearby and did OK. It took me just under 40 minutes. I plan to return there this weekend for another go. My swim event will also feature a long bridge that will always be on my right. I can breath off either side, but the right side is my stronger. Let me know how it goes, and good luck to all.

3. I'm concerned that I'll get my butt kicked by my four daughters ages 17, 15, 13 and 13. They all completed this swim last year and did very well. to. Russ, I did the swim last year and saw your girls kick a lots of people's butts! I'm sure you'll be fine given the work you've done. The race is a blast. Enjoy it. Micah p.s. I'll be there again this year

Micah, I can't wait. We are driving up Friday. See you there.

I hope all this weekend's swims went OK. My 2.4 mile Saylorville Lake swim went well, and the conditions were perfect. Thanks for all the good advise.