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
Well, I'm not an expert. So I'll just say, I'd be concerned about what happens in miles 3, 4, and 5, and ty to prepare logically.
:)
You have 1800+ posts... that's got to count for something! :D
I will try to get at least one 4 mi swim in before the event day. Then I will only have to worry about what happens between miles 4 and 5 because that will be the only foreign territory (other than the fact that this is in a much warmer body of water than I'm used to, there might be wind, etc. It is virtually impossibly to simulate the event day perfectly, but that is ok).
I did get to read that other post where the swimmer wanted advice on swimming a 38 mi swim. There was a lot of good advice in there that could be adapted to a shorter 5 mi swim like the one I am attempting. I am not sure that intervals are worth doing but would like advice on those. I was thinking of incorporating them in the middle of a 1 mile swim workout. I hear that they are not as bad as running intervals which really leave the athlete beat up. I think the longer 3+ mi pool days should not have intervals. But again, I'm not sure and would appreciate any advice on this from those who are more experienced :).
Thanks for everything thus far! :)
Well, I'm not an expert. So I'll just say, I'd be concerned about what happens in miles 3, 4, and 5, and ty to prepare logically.
:)
You have 1800+ posts... that's got to count for something! :D
I will try to get at least one 4 mi swim in before the event day. Then I will only have to worry about what happens between miles 4 and 5 because that will be the only foreign territory (other than the fact that this is in a much warmer body of water than I'm used to, there might be wind, etc. It is virtually impossibly to simulate the event day perfectly, but that is ok).
I did get to read that other post where the swimmer wanted advice on swimming a 38 mi swim. There was a lot of good advice in there that could be adapted to a shorter 5 mi swim like the one I am attempting. I am not sure that intervals are worth doing but would like advice on those. I was thinking of incorporating them in the middle of a 1 mile swim workout. I hear that they are not as bad as running intervals which really leave the athlete beat up. I think the longer 3+ mi pool days should not have intervals. But again, I'm not sure and would appreciate any advice on this from those who are more experienced :).
Thanks for everything thus far! :)
