Hi,
I'm signed up for the maryland swim for life on July 13. There is a 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 mile option and I've chosen the 5. I've read as many of the previous posts here as possible on training. But, I would still like to ensure I'm on the right track and would appreciate some advice. I can always change which distance I'm doing if my training doesn't go well.
My Background: I'm a triathlete but I'm awful at swimming. I'm doing this swim to force myself to get better at swimming somehow. I've done some 1.2 mile swims in half irons and pure open water events. I can currently swim 2 miles in the pool without stopping. Recently I've been practicing the Total Immersion method in an attempt to become more efficient. I swim 4 days per week: 3x1500yd + 1x3000yd.
Goal: Just finish the 5 mile swim under my own power.
Questions:
1. How long should my "long swim" be in order to complete this event? How much should my weekly yardage be? Keep in mind that I've just learned the Total Immersion method and I'm still not that great at it. So, i've been trying to spend a few days a week just focusing on form.
2. Would it be advisable to wear a wet suit? I have a 5/3mm full wetsuit. Water temps are projected to be mid 70s. The wetsuit would give me an advantage and is permissible if the temp doesn't rise above 78F. But, in the mid 70s, would I overheat?
3. Does anyone have any other thoughts on training?
Thanks! :-)
-Jonathan
Becoming competent at swimming is not the same as forcing oneself to swim 5 miles.
In my opinion, you do not have the endurance in the water to finish a 5-mile swim (though you might). Open water experience does not appear in the history other than as part of a tri.
My recommendations:
1. Be reasonable. Have a goal you are reasonably sure *now* you can complete in a few weeks. You want it to be fun, too! A 1-mile or 2-mile distance is as honorable as a 5-mile distance.
2. Get open water experience in various conditions, especially temps cooler than expected.
3. The workouts on this forum under "The Water Is Open" are very helpful. (I also add in something from the Animal Lane and the High Intensity sets from time to time.) One must be a USMS member to access the workouts.
4. Double the weekly yardage, if you have time. Swim thoughtfully ("mindfully," as Terry Laughlin would say) by understanding why you are doing each part of the workout the way you are.
5. Opinions differ on whether one should swim the entire distance in advance; most do, and more than once.
6. (Wetsuit or not.... Wetsuits don't give an advantage; swimming competency does. You might be too warm.)
7. Finally, I would think of the swim as a swim, not as an adjunct to improving tri times. Grasping the whatness of the activity itself could be salutary.
Good luck, and have fun!
Becoming competent at swimming is not the same as forcing oneself to swim 5 miles.
In my opinion, you do not have the endurance in the water to finish a 5-mile swim (though you might). Open water experience does not appear in the history other than as part of a tri.
My recommendations:
1. Be reasonable. Have a goal you are reasonably sure *now* you can complete in a few weeks. You want it to be fun, too! A 1-mile or 2-mile distance is as honorable as a 5-mile distance.
2. Get open water experience in various conditions, especially temps cooler than expected.
3. The workouts on this forum under "The Water Is Open" are very helpful. (I also add in something from the Animal Lane and the High Intensity sets from time to time.) One must be a USMS member to access the workouts.
4. Double the weekly yardage, if you have time. Swim thoughtfully ("mindfully," as Terry Laughlin would say) by understanding why you are doing each part of the workout the way you are.
5. Opinions differ on whether one should swim the entire distance in advance; most do, and more than once.
6. (Wetsuit or not.... Wetsuits don't give an advantage; swimming competency does. You might be too warm.)
7. Finally, I would think of the swim as a swim, not as an adjunct to improving tri times. Grasping the whatness of the activity itself could be salutary.
Good luck, and have fun!
