I've been training for an open water swim that is now about three weeks away. It's a 5k swim and I had been training in a lap pool. I finally reached the 5k mark and was feeling ready for the event until I started having pain in my left shoulder. I saw a doctor and he said it is rotator cuff tendonitis. The pain isn't bad, but I've been forced to cut my training down to about 1-2 miles per swim before the pain gets bad (twice a week). I don't think I'm going to be ready at this pace and to be honest, I don't know if my shoulder will hold up at the 5k unless I take a week or two off with no swimming.
Does anybody have some advice as to how I can train and keep my cardio up if I were to stay out of the pool for a week or two so I can let my shoulder heal up? I feel I probably can pull off the 5k swim on a healthy shoulder if I still somehow keep my cardio at a level that will translate well to swimming. I'm running short on time and I'm not quite sure what to do. Any advice from some of you crafty veterans?:bed:
Matthew - as a triathlete who is trying to turn into a "purer" swimmer, Bob's suggestion of cycling to keep your cardio and endurance is spot on. If you don't have a bike, get on a stationary one at your club or, better yet, do a spinning class. They can be as difficult as you want to make them.
By the way, is the 5k swim you're talking about Deer Creek? I'm thinking of signing up for that.
Matthew - as a triathlete who is trying to turn into a "purer" swimmer, Bob's suggestion of cycling to keep your cardio and endurance is spot on. If you don't have a bike, get on a stationary one at your club or, better yet, do a spinning class. They can be as difficult as you want to make them.
By the way, is the 5k swim you're talking about Deer Creek? I'm thinking of signing up for that.
