Big Shoulders 2012

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 06:35:52 GMT

Stephanie: I'm with Orca/Oz. You can have my body fat, with my compliments! I, too, lack speed, though. Working on it, but right now, I lack it. But I'm really pumped about the race. Thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

ViveBene — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 06:32:16 GMT

For those new to the venue, it's advisable to have tinted goggles. Part of the course heads due east, into the rising sun reflected off water. Water temp is usually around 70 degrees F at that time of year, and I don't expect anything particularly different, even though we have had a very warm (water temp - air temp, too) summer. It's September, and Lake Michigan is a big lake. Have fun! :)

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

orca1946 — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:25:13 GMT

I have the extra if you need some more body fat - no charge - I'll pay :2cents: you to take it :D

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:40:37 GMT

16%? Go on... just rub it in! Well, you probably swim faster than I do. I lack both body fat and speed.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 09:55:13 GMT

I am doing the 5K for the second year in a row and I'm excited! We were in Chicago this past weekend and I swam in Lake Michigan on Sunday morning. It was awesome - water temp was upper 70's and it was not choppy. I'd love for the conditions to be the same (I'd even be okay with 3-5 degrees cooler so I don't have to wear a wetsuit - I'm a former triathlete and my body fat is 16% so I am a wuss in cold water) come race morning, but I know that's probably asking too much. :)

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

mcnair — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:28:37 GMT

16%? Go on... just rub it in!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

orca1946 — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:39:28 GMT

Get into the race now:bolt: or wait till next year !!!!:badday:

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:26:30 GMT

Just got the email that said there are 50 spots still available for the 2.5. Hope everyone's training is going well!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

ViveBene — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 05:09:19 GMT

Per July 23 email from organizers, the 5k is sold out.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:37:05 GMT

My attitude: Bring it on! If I'm mentally ready, no prob. I'm excited: I have my first swim lesson tonight with an honest-to-God Masters swim coach! It will only be a "one-off" deal, for now, since we can't really afford the monthly fee for an ongoing arrangement, but I'm hoping I get some good stuff for improving form and speed.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

ViveBene — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:52:59 GMT

Following is some content just received from Big Shoulders organizers regarding near to maximum registration. So best to register today (July 20) or this weekend: Greetings Big Shoulders Swimmers, This may be our final warning on registration - only 35 spots remain for the 5K, and less than 100 for the 2.5K. Also, please note that those who register for the 2.5K after the 5K closes will not be permitted to switch distances. So if you know anyone who was thinking about registering for Big Shoulders this year, tell them it's now or never. Also, if you are looking for a tune up swim in Central Illinois, check out: Central IL Open Water Swim (1.2-Miles & 2.4-Miles) - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - 9:00 A.M. CT. Sign-up online by July 21 to receive the $40 early discount registration ($50 late registration thru NOON Friday, August 3). CIOWS 2012 offers a $12 Online One-Event membership, if you are not an annual U.S. Masters Swimming member. This is in addition to your CIOWS 2012 entry fee. Note: We have gone to deeper Evergreen Lake waters for CIOWS 2012, with the course a rectangular 1.2-mile swim loop. No Transfers. No Deferrals. No Refunds. Online Registration: www.ClubAssistant.com/CIOWS Event Website: CIOWS.org Venue: Evergreen Lake (in Comlara Park), Hudson, IL Timer & Scorer: Planet Adventures Host: Central IL Masters Swim Team, Inc (CIMST.org)

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

orca1946 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:30:30 GMT

Our lake can change temp. over night due to the winds that can pull up the cold:chillpill: from the deep & blow off the warm :cake:from the top even as we are having the hottest spell in our history right now !!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:50:29 GMT

Big Shoulders hands out custom medals at the finish line to each finisher. They are different every year and match the t-shirt design. I've built up quite a collection! Cool! Looking forward to it! Training has been going well too. And once I get my shortness of breath (SOB) straightened out--I have a stress echocardiogram tomorrow morning--I'm rockin' it! Short explanation: I've had SOB for about 3 years now, which has been diagnosed as asthma, but my local pulmonologist threw everything at it in his arsenal with limited success, and the university-hospital specialist I saw--same thing. The specialist, in fact, isn't convinced it's asthma. Now they're guessing heart rhythm, which is why I'm having the stress echo. My prayer is that it's something simple that can be managed by a baby aspirin a day or something like that, and that I won't have to quit working out or have surgery or some such nonsense. I already have had to stop running, as that just doesn't work. To get better so I can enjoy running again, and rock it in swimming (and cycling)--that would be AWESOME!!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:26:14 GMT

B T W when you finish everybody gets a cool medal !!! At Big Shoulders or Central Illinois?

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

knelson — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:25:48 GMT

At Big Shoulders or Central Illinois? Big Shoulders hands out custom medals at the finish line to each finisher. They are different every year and match the t-shirt design. I've built up quite a collection!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 06:37:50 GMT

Yup--I'm signed up for the 2.5.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

ViveBene — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 01:56:10 GMT

You might wish to stick with the shorter length, 2.5k. The 5k is a second time around the same course. The lake was 78 this morning. (That doesn't mean it will be 78, or even above 70, on meet day.)

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

orca1946 — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:36:04 GMT

B T W when you finish everybody gets a cool medal !!!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

orca1946 — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 07:35:03 GMT

B T W if/when you finish everybody gets a cool medal !!!

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

ViveBene — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 12:24:59 GMT

Here's the info for CIOWS, Central Illinois Open Water Swim, on Aug. 4: Central IL Open Water Swim - Saturday, August 4, 2012 - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Big Shoulders is down to the last ca. 100 spots. At 1200 swimmers, it will be huge this year. Registration might be prudent for those still "thinking about it," else there won't be much left to think about until 2013. :) www.bigshoulders.org There is a fast wave for those competing. For most, it is a grand community swim.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 08:54:38 GMT

Andy, You aren't too far from Bloomington, right? Have you seen the announcement for the Central Illinois Masters OW swim. I think they have 1.2 and 2.4-mile swims and I'm thinking about doing the 2.4. August 4th I think. There's an announcement on this OW forum somewhere. More experience for Big Shoulders. Alex I had heard about that one, Alex. Looks awesome. I live in Galesburg, which is about 1 hr. 40 min. from Bloomington. Two of my kids--my son and daughter and their spouses--live in Bloomington. I would LOVE to do that race, and it would indeed be good training for BS. The issue: The fee. We have property taxes going out and just got a landscaping job done, so...you know the rest. Not saying it can't happen, though. Anyway, I've completed 2 workouts so far in the 2 weeks of workouts that a guy sent me. Tuesday, 2800 yards; Wednesday, 3000. This morning, cross-training with a short (14.5 mile, ave. 17 mph) bike ride. Tomorrow morning, workout 3. For the weekend, I'm planning another bike ride and if my lungs cooperate, a run. Or maybe some OWS at my friend's lake.

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

mcnair — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:24:13 GMT

Had a good/sorta OK OWS workout Saturday. Swam for 47 min. in a friend's private lake. The top of the water was VERY WARM. Good for cardio/endurance, and good for getting used to murky open water, not-so-good for training for Lake Michigan. Oh well! I'm corresponding with a guy who sent me two weeks worth of workouts; they look BRUTAL, which is what I need. If we can work it out, we're going to meet up so he can critique and teach me on technique. Andy, You aren't too far from Bloomington, right? Have you seen the announcement for the Central Illinois Masters OW swim. I think they have 1.2 and 2.4-mile swims and I'm thinking about doing the 2.4. August 4th I think. There's an announcement on this OW forum somewhere. More experience for Big Shoulders. Alex

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

mcnair — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:18:06 GMT

While we are on the subject of Chicago... I'm going to be in the Lincoln park area visiting family for a short vacation. I found list of teams in Chicago, but it is hard to tell what area of the city the pools are in. I'm interested in connection with a club to swimming open water or to get in a pool workout. Any recommendations on clubs in that area? BTW. I've wanted to do the Big Shoulders swim for a long time too. Thanks, Mark Miller Mark, try posting this question in the LMSC forum for Illinois; you might get better response. I'm in Kenosha, just over the WI-IL border, but am usually a solo swimmer... I'm thinking of heading down to Chicago to swim open water on Lake Michigan one of these weekends. Alex

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:52:58 GMT

RE: Big Shoulders 2012

Former Member — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:40:23 GMT