Finished first 5k. Six weeks until 8k, training suggestions?
Former Member
I just finished my first 5k swim yesterday. I hadn't swam that long before and trained for it by doing a couple of 1.5 mile swims in a pool followed by one 2.5 mile open water swim each week. I finished in great time (relative to my goal, not the overall standings) and want to do an 8k swim in six weeks at 'Slam the Dam' in Lake Mead.
I suppose my question is, can I realistically be ready to increase my distance that much in just six weeks? I felt great at the end of my swim with just a little bit of shoulder discomfort (been battling rotator cuff tendonitis for months). My goal is to do one or two pool swims during the week at about 1.5-2 miles each, accompanied by one or two runs of about six miles each (all on separate days, of course). Then, I want to do a long open water each weekend, starting with another 5k this weekend, gradually adding on a quarter of a mile to the previous week's open water swim.
Assuming my shoulder holds up and I practice doing several feedings (only had to do one for the 5k) I hope to be ready. My lone goal is to finish, not to place high in the standings. Any suggestions?:cane:
Parents
Former Member
You will definitely be able to finish the 8K, but you will probably slow down more than you expect to. IMO, long pool practices are better than long OW practices for keeping your speed consistent.
You could probably do the 8K without even adding additional distance, but the more training you get under your belt the more fun it will be.
Last year, I did two 7K swims (actually 3 separate events with a few minutes rest between). I think the longest swim I did prior to that was 4,000 yards (~3800m). The first 7K wasn't fun at all. I didn't have any trouble finishing it, but I did have trouble *wanting* to finish it. That's the only time in my life I have ever felt miserable while swimming.
The second one was about a month later. Piece of cake.
Incidentally, the reason I didn't do enough long swims before the first 7K was that I was having trouble with fatigue. In hindsight, I realize that I wasn't eating enough. As you increase your distances, you're going to have to be mindful of eating more.
You will definitely be able to finish the 8K, but you will probably slow down more than you expect to. IMO, long pool practices are better than long OW practices for keeping your speed consistent.
You could probably do the 8K without even adding additional distance, but the more training you get under your belt the more fun it will be.
Last year, I did two 7K swims (actually 3 separate events with a few minutes rest between). I think the longest swim I did prior to that was 4,000 yards (~3800m). The first 7K wasn't fun at all. I didn't have any trouble finishing it, but I did have trouble *wanting* to finish it. That's the only time in my life I have ever felt miserable while swimming.
The second one was about a month later. Piece of cake.
Incidentally, the reason I didn't do enough long swims before the first 7K was that I was having trouble with fatigue. In hindsight, I realize that I wasn't eating enough. As you increase your distances, you're going to have to be mindful of eating more.
