Hi! My name is Andy. I'm new here. I've lurked a little, and it looks like you all are really nice, helpful folks. Looking forward to interacting with you!
I started this thread for a couple of reasons:
First, to find out if there is anyone else on this board who is doing either the 2.5K or the 5K in this year's Big Shoulders in Chicago on 9/8.
Second, if anyone has ever done that race, to find out what it was like, and to ask if there are any pieces of advice to share. This will be my first time in that race, and actually my first open water swim other than a tri.
Finally, to ask if there are any training plans anyone can recommend to me.
Also, is there a thread anywhere on this board on which folks introduce themselves?
Thanks!
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
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
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.
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.
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.)
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!
