New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Former Member — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 05:46:41 GMT

I don't know why I can't get past the urge to respond to your post from 2 years ago. Why don't you take some time to understand a sport before criticizing it. Yes, its true that the average triathlete isn't as good a swimmer as an average Masters swimmer; however, most of the advanced triathletes are former college or team swimmers. Also, I would like to see you have the physical and mental endurance and guts to race a 2.4 mile open water swim with 2800 other swimmers fighting for a swim lane, ride a bike for 112 miles, then dismounting your bike and running a marathon. By the way I have done the Potomac 7.5 mile swim among other endurance swims and I don't do flipturns in the pool. I guess I suck at swimming. ----------------------------------------------- I also got in trouble for telling them they look ridiculous wearing a wet suit in a pool only to be told it was a "necessary" part of training. Training for what, I'm not sure. God forbid you tell them that flip turns make them better swimmers. Are you really not gonna wear a wet suit? I can't be the lone wolf out there ensconced in neoprene I guess.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:50:53 GMT

Are you really not gonna wear a wet suit? I can't be the lone wolf out there ensconced in neoprene I guess.Well, they say the water might be in the 70s. As long as the water's above 67 (and I get out there), I'll go without a wetsuit. I'll hopefully know by the end of my kid's academic year this year what my girls' fall break looks like to know if I can make the trip.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

ViveBene — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:42:29 GMT

Speaking of triathletes, I just got removed from a tri forum for mocking a person who took a 3 hour swim course and now coaches a "Masters" team. Thank you! A community service. Well done!

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

aquageek — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:31:45 GMT

They are very sensitive about their swimming skills. You must not poke them, make fun of their prodigious gear bags, wetsuits in pools, mindless laps with no sets ("Il Garbagio"), etc. I also got in trouble for telling them they look ridiculous wearing a wet suit in a pool only to be told it was a "necessary" part of training. Training for what, I'm not sure. God forbid you tell them that flip turns make them better swimmers. Are you really not gonna wear a wet suit? I can't be the lone wolf out there ensconced in neoprene I guess.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Patrick W. Brundage — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:26:19 GMT

Oh, and I will be wearing a wetsuit.Let the mocking begin, then. Speaking of triathletes, I just got removed from a tri forum for mocking a person who took a 3 hour swim course and now coaches a "Masters" team.They are very sensitive about their swimming skills. You must not poke them, make fun of their prodigious gear bags, wetsuits in pools, mindless laps with no sets ("Il Garbagio"), etc.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

aquageek — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:52:38 GMT

I've done this as a training swim, most recently a couple springs ago. I think water temp in the fall should be fine. The current is usually not a problem but it can be brutal; once it took me 4-5 times longer to reach the bridge than it did to come back. After you turn the bend you think the bridge is only 10-20 minutes away and you pick it up...an hour later you're still swimming towards that darn bridge... Of course, in such circumstances there is always the entertainment value: I've seen some of the weaker swimmers -- aka triathletes (sorry, Jay :)) -- actually go backwards when swimming against the current. Assuming it doesn't conflict with anything, I'll be there. It will be fun. With this ringing endorsement of agony and horror, why not? Oh, and I will be wearing a wetsuit. Speaking of triathletes, I just got removed from a tri forum for mocking a person who took a 3 hour swim course and now coaches a "Masters" team.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Chris Stevenson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:22:43 GMT

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

jpeluso — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:29:04 GMT

Whatever you do, don't let a triathlete beat you then. Some of them are actually pretty good. Others....well, that's why we created the company.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Former Member — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:55:15 GMT

I was also curious about expected water temp. I couldn't find data for that date. It looks like late October was around 64. Is mid to upper 60's about right? Thanks

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Former Member — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:50:45 GMT

looks like great fun and fall on the james river could be a super swim.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Former Member — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:46:18 GMT

Sounds pretty interesting ! James can have quite different conditions, especially depending on recent rainfall in the area ! Have to follow up on this !!

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:21:58 GMT

You apparently can do that from the comfort of your own home with the invention of these interwebs.Yeah ... any chance you'll trek up to Richmond for this? I know it's a long way off.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

aquageek — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:18:51 GMT

I really hope my kids' fall break aligns with this so I can bring one or more of them out to my old hometown, do the race, see my parents, and make fun of Geek. You apparently can do that from the comfort of your own home with the invention of these interwebs.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:04:32 GMT

The first half the swim will be against the current. The ride home will be enjoyable though. The James River can be unpredictable. That said we expect high 70's for water temp. As we get closer, obviously, we will have better idea. It really will depend on the type of summer/fall we have. Mid-October in the James is an awesome time of year.I really hope my kids' fall break aligns with this so I can bring one or more of them out to my old hometown, do the race, see my parents, and make fun of Geek.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

aquageek — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:43:38 GMT

What kind of current can be expected for this swim? I assume half is with the current and half against, or am I wrong? Looks interesting.

RE: New 5-Mile Swim in Richmond, VA

jpeluso — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:22:09 GMT