Recent marathon swim .... your thoughts, please?

RE: Recent marathon swim .... your thoughts, please?

FindingMyInnerFish — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 10:26:20 GMT

Aw. Ladies, you're the best! As for the 10k, waiting for a check to come, hopefully in time for the swim. Might be a fun one to try, or just the triple dip mile. Today, I had a fun little swim, last of the six 800m open water swim race series that my coach puts on through summer. He changed the course from previous swims b/c the current has been very strong lately (most recently, 3300 cfs). Today's course was protected by a peninsula so the current I thought I'd have to fight. ... not a problem, and my time was close to my pool pace! A short race but a confidence builder! There's so much good w swimming, although granted some pain doing the long stuff. But it's great fun! Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

RE: Recent marathon swim .... your thoughts, please?

Lyn — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 01:49:58 GMT

It's hard to say it much better than flystorms did. You know we're about the same age, so I feel your pain! I just DNF'd a swim as well. But there is so much pleasure and fun in this sport, and the community spirit is priceless. You should take flystorm's, Janine's and my advice: do the 10K (I assume you're talking about Spuyten Duyvil). It's a fantastic, fun swim that will rebuild your confidence. Us old gals need to support each other!!

RE: Recent marathon swim .... your thoughts, please?

flystorms — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 09:24:06 GMT

First off, don't beat yourself up. You still had a major accomplishment by doing what you did. Swimming against a current, no matter how big or small isn't easy. Second, it may be time to find a different race to change your perspective. Many are planned with a current or at least current neutral. Swim Around Key West, for example, is one where they time the swim so that most folks get a push from the tides on either end of the island. Find someplace fun. Miami has a 5k and 10k in the spring (usually mid-April) where you're doing 1+ mile loops in a protected harbor. The water is warmer and you can set your pace. St Croix has a great 1, 2, or 5 mile race every year as well. There are also tons of other good ones out there depending on where you want to go. And maybe you just do shorter events, 10k and below? Third, never let your age get to you. Please. The mind is an amazing muscle and it's the one that will fail you first when you're doing a challenge. This sport is filled with a lot of older swimmers that go at their own pace and just enjoy the swim. And there are some who are busting records. I've seen many in their 70's and 80s at races. Win your age group! You've got this. Don't let your head get to you. Just adjust your sails to the wind. :)