what does it take to swim big distance?

I will never, ever again do a swim with a wetsuit. Did my UK 10K in September, and the scars are still there on my chest (it was sleeveless). Sucks.

1. Long swims underfed. Something like 10k intentionally without any food or sugar before practice and then with only 100 calories pr so per hour during. This is to replicate the depletion, low blood sugar and low mental state you will inevitably feel on race day. 2. Long swims practicing nutrition exactly. I am continually surprised by how many people don't do this. mix up exactly what you will use on race day and drink it in exactly the amounts you intend to drink on race day and at the same intervals. Start with 1.25 calories per pound per hour as a first guess on how much will work for you. I use maltodextrin mixed into gatorade, others have their own favorites. Underfed....thats interesting. Let me ask..have you ever had a situation in which your blood sugar plummets while underway? Yikes, that would kind of suck. I'm sure everone is different but what is the rule of thumb for recovery from a issue like blood suger or the likes?

I am a very experienced marathon swimmer and can recommend that you will need to train much more to swim 38 miles, regardless if it is current assisted. When I train for my own swims or when I coach/help/train with other swimmers, it is VERY necessary to swim at LEAST 60-75% of the length of the swim before you attempt it. In fact, most of the marathon swimmers I know (and I know most of them), do at least 3 or 4 swims of 4-8 hours each in building progression before taking on anything over 18-20 miles. I train about 35K-50K yards (a bit more for England) per week for at least 6 months prior to a marathon swim and will do at least 3 swims of over 6 hours during that time. My rule of thumb is to train for AT LEAST 6-8 months for a swim of over 15 miles (I coach at least 12 months to build up muscle memory and to ensure easy recovery), and that for a swim over 20 miles, which will usually take in the 7-10+ hour range, a swimmer should have done at least 2 swims of 6 hours or more in the prep up to the swim, but not closer than 3-4 weeks before the "big" swim. (The more experienced of us can turn around marathon swims of 8+ hours in as short as 2 weeks, but the shoulders can get fried if the conditions are rough in either swim) Remember, it's not really if can you make the distance, but that you make it with strength and preparation and don't destroy your body/mind in the process. Those of us who do multiple series of marathon swims are very, very, very aware of training in ALL KINDS of conditions. It's amazing how one's stroke will change in wind, chop, waves, swells, currents, etc. So in short, SWIM A LOT MORE, and then you'll be ready. The swim will be there next season, and you'll be so much happier if you are prepared. I see too many aspirants fail who think they are ready and it can be mentally tough for them in the end when they discover in the swim, that they are not. And then there is the training for feeding, for the mental aspect and sensory deprivation. Also figure out if you can pee and swim, etc... Don't take a long swim lightly, as your body and mind will both need preparation well in advance. Finally, find an experienced marathon/open water long distance swimmer who is experienced in the swim you are attempting (or something similar). You'll find that most of us in are willing to help anyone who wants to try one of these long swims. Best of luck and hope this helps. Best swimming Scott (English Channel, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island, Tampa Bay 24 mile swim, Seal Beach, etc, etc, etc)

I think someone emphasized temperature training. You will need hours-long swims at a temperature reflecting anticipated water temperature. I saw at least one of chaos' pre-swims for the english channel. He seemed to follow his feeding protocol religiously in anticipation of his marathon swims. He ignored the temptation to skip feedings to better his time in individual races, and race fellow swimmers. He was, and is, intensely goal-directed. He began and finished Tampa Bay, Catalina and the English Channel in the same calendar year. I am not convinced you have to do 50K weekly or have to do a 75% swim, but there are so many parameters affecting any open water swim. You will have to be able do pool time and open water swimming for 4-, 6- and more hours. You will know yourself better than anyone on the board. Best of luck and good swimmin'

Scott (English Channel, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Island, Tampa Bay 24 mile swim, Seal Beach, etc, etc, etc) Welcome to the forum Doc. What does 2012 have in store for you? I've got a swim (or 7) that I think you would enjoy................

Not medically low, but the low blood sugar due to depletion of glycogen reserves, yes I have had that happen many times in every sort of endurance activity I do. It varies in strength but yes, I have had it happen. It took me about 6 years to realize that the mental and speed related ups and downs in long events are related to blood sugar. That when you feel like doing nothing but stopping and then get that hit of gatorade or other food, you can't even remember why you felt that way ten minutes ago. But once I figured that our and started to deal with it in training and got realistic with nutrition, things got much better for me.

Not medically low, but the low blood sugar due to depletion of glycogen reserves, yes I have had that happen many times in every sort of endurance activity I do. It varies in strength but yes, I have had it happen. It took me about 6 years to realize that the mental and speed related ups and downs in long events are related to blood sugar. That when you feel like doing nothing but stopping and then get that hit of gatorade or other food, you can't even remember why you felt that way ten minutes ago. But once I figured that our and started to deal with it in training and got realistic with nutrition, things got much better for me.

Let me ask..have you ever had a situation in which your blood sugar plummets while underway? Yikes, that would kind of suck. I'm sure everone is different but what is the rule of thumb for recovery from a issue like blood suger or the likes? I think most marathon swimmers have done at least one training session to push themselves beyond the bonk. I think the EC training groups call it something like "total body confusion". Its really only through trial and error that you will find the ideal cal/hr for yourself. Pre swim nutrition/hydration can also factor heavily into the odds of a successful swim.

3 Tablesoons of Glucose powder and a light soloution of Tang in 6 onces of water every hour was what I used along with the odd salt tablet. Is this why I have diabetes?

Please do shorter events to build up to 38 miles!!! We don't want to read about you in the bad news open water section!!!:badday: