Open water swim training part two

[rocknrollgirl]

So as you know, I went to open water swim training last Thursday. It is 80 miles each way for me to get there, and 1/2 a tank of gas. So in the name of saving time and money. I decided to swim by home this week. For goodness sake I live at the shore, it is not like we are short on open water.

So I called my girlfirend that lives on the water and went over to her house, off her dock in the backyard. She lives on a bulkheaded lagoon about 200 yards long, give or take. The water was cold, but no big deal. I did two laps down and back, swam a good 1/2 mile in my wetsuit. Did heaps better than last week.

drive time 10 mins....ouside hot shower, home in time to go running with the DH...

Not too shabby.....

[tprevost]

well done! You're already becoming used to it! Was the 'shock' and tightness better as well?

[rocknrollgirl]

The shock was easy, the tightness was better, so I will keep at it.

[Tri Girl]

So glad you had a better experience this time. And my tree-hugging self loves that you saved some fuel and stayed close to home (and I'm sure your DH loved that you were able to run with him).
Keep at it- you're going to rock that open water swim in the race!!!

[beetle]

Well done, I just read your other thread and it sounds like you are much more comfortable now - imagine how it will be after a few more.

I just wanted to add that as your comfort/ease in OW improves you might start finding it a little borring swimming. I have done a bit of time in both the pool and OW and often find when I start training mainly in OW one of the issues I have is that there is no pool end or clock and it can be hard to pace and compare your performance to what it was in the pool. I used to do many of my same drills in OW and planned interval sessions just like in the pool - I just used a set course I knew, counted strokes or used a timer on my stopwatch instead of turning at each end. Sounds like you have a measured run already at your friends place. The only thing to remember in cold water is that you really have to warm up well first before doing sprints, even in a wetsuit. I always find time goes quicker when I have a set program before I start.

Anyway I know you were not after advice but it sounds like you are adjusting to the OW quickly and might want to do some quality sessions now that you've found a good, close location.

[Wahine]

Rah rah shish boom bah!! Go RnR go.

You're doing fantastic. I find that swim 3 is the turn around for me, I usually have none of that cold water hyperventilation stuff and can get right into it. I love open water swimming, but it's still waaaaaaayyyyyyyy to cold here.

[rocknrollgirl]

Thanks guys...I am going to go again this weekend. I plan to still swim in the pool, but grab a "lifeguard" and get back in.

Once it warms up, there are several other local swimmers that want to start swimming with me, as well as the DH. AND our swim coach at my school has an outside swim team, so I could always jump in with them.

I would love to do two mornings in the pool and one long OW swim this summer.

[HappyAnika]

Glad to hear round two went better. (And that you didn't have to drive so far!) :)

[colby]

I love open water swimming, but it's still waaaaaaayyyyyyyy to cold here.

Up to 53 degrees in the lake here. Getting there... ;)