So a quick history. I've been a competitive swimmer for most of my life. Outside of stopping for a few years post shoulder surgery when I was about 21, I've always kept it up. I liked swimming in lakes etc, but never competed open water.
Older now (61) and my back is really messed up, with nerve issues disc degeneration scoliosis etc, which really put a dent in my ability to swim and cross train.
I had severe leg pain due to nerve issues in my back, which I managed with Ai's and CT guided injections.
In the past I have always enjoyed open water swimming, when we traveled to the Caribbean etc. Especially if it is choppy or the surf is going. Never competed in OW. I think even as a kid I rarely entered the 1500 free.
Still in 2018 I traveled to Brisbane for the Pan Pacific Masters and instead of simply doing in-pool races, I decided to enter the 1K open water on a whim.
The first day I went to practice on the beach, the waves and current was so strong, I could not get off the shore. Fast forward a week on competition day the ocean was calmer. Even so two people were taken away by ambulance (one knee, one ankle) from getting smashed by the waves at the start.
Even though the waves and current were wicked, I found it exhilarating and loved it.
Lucky for me I was able to find a good physio, orthopaedic surgeon, and neurosurgeon. I postponed my surgery until after that competition
Shortening the saga, I am almost 5 months post lumbar surgery and doing really well. I am convinced that if it were not for swimming, I would not be as far along in recovery as I am. (did easy flip turns 2 months postop)
This past month we traveled to Turks, and thanks to my brand new apple watch, I was able to track my time and distance for the open water swims and swam 2.5-3k almost every other day. I loved it and really challenged myself. I got faster every day but didn't realize how much better in shape I was getting until I got home.
When I jumped back in the pool, after only 2 weeks (which was supposed to be a vacation) my Asthma was better, my fitness was better than I have been for probably 6-7 years.
SO How do you all replicate that open water feeling and intensity when you train in pool or elsewhere? Do you do anything else, and other fitness work?
I have been thinking about trying to convince my pool manager (I also lifeguard there a couple shifts per week)...to try having one or two sessions a week where we take the lanelines out, float a small buoy ten feet out from each corner, and just swim circuit laps that don't require stopping at a wall and doing a flip or open turn.
Dan
The pool mgr gave use the tentive go ahead for this...pending her approval of the dates (in early Oct). Our plan is to set the 25m pool up in such a way that one circuit lap is equal to between 55m and 60m. With all the lane lines removed, and several buoys marking the course, the circuit will be the 2m width of a traditional lane, using lanes 1 and 6 for the length of the pool, and across the ends of the pool. That should be wide enough to allow passing. It will take about +/- 27 laps to complete about a mile (1609m). The first one or two sessions are going to be on an invite only basis with a dozen or so swimmers just so we can see how it goes. In addition to the posted swimming pool rules, I came up with a few other rules that we'll want followed for this evolution. I'd also like to hear any other suggestion any of you might have to make this work better.
** In addition to the posted "Swimming Pool Rules" please observe the following rules for circuit lap swimming **
- Check for oncoming swimmers before entering/re-entering the circuit.
- Swim only in the designated direction.
- You may swim any stroke/style. But, be cognizant of your stroke/kick near others.
- Stay to the RIGHT except to pass a slower swimmer on their LEFT. Before starting your pass, look to ensure you are not being passed. Make sure you have sufficient space in front of the swimmer before moving back to the right in front of them.
- Resting/Stopping: For personal safety, you may stop at any time. For general resting, or intervals, immediately move to the "infield," or to an extreme corner, so as not to interfere with the smooth flow of continuous swimming.
- You may swim laps in the 'infield' if you feel that the pace of swimming on the main circuit is too fast. Please do not interfere with the continuous flow of swimming on the main circuit.
Dan
I have been thinking about trying to convince my pool manager (I also lifeguard there a couple shifts per week)...to try having one or two sessions a week where we take the lanelines out, float a small buoy ten feet out from each corner, and just swim circuit laps that don't require stopping at a wall and doing a flip or open turn.
Dan
The pool mgr gave use the tentive go ahead for this...pending her approval of the dates (in early Oct). Our plan is to set the 25m pool up in such a way that one circuit lap is equal to between 55m and 60m. With all the lane lines removed, and several buoys marking the course, the circuit will be the 2m width of a traditional lane, using lanes 1 and 6 for the length of the pool, and across the ends of the pool. That should be wide enough to allow passing. It will take about +/- 27 laps to complete about a mile (1609m). The first one or two sessions are going to be on an invite only basis with a dozen or so swimmers just so we can see how it goes. In addition to the posted swimming pool rules, I came up with a few other rules that we'll want followed for this evolution. I'd also like to hear any other suggestion any of you might have to make this work better.
** In addition to the posted "Swimming Pool Rules" please observe the following rules for circuit lap swimming **
- Check for oncoming swimmers before entering/re-entering the circuit.
- Swim only in the designated direction.
- You may swim any stroke/style. But, be cognizant of your stroke/kick near others.
- Stay to the RIGHT except to pass a slower swimmer on their LEFT. Before starting your pass, look to ensure you are not being passed. Make sure you have sufficient space in front of the swimmer before moving back to the right in front of them.
- Resting/Stopping: For personal safety, you may stop at any time. For general resting, or intervals, immediately move to the "infield," or to an extreme corner, so as not to interfere with the smooth flow of continuous swimming.
- You may swim laps in the 'infield' if you feel that the pace of swimming on the main circuit is too fast. Please do not interfere with the continuous flow of swimming on the main circuit.
Dan
