Training for Great North Swim advice??

hammomh
hammomh Posts: 43 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am going to be swimming in the Great North Swim in June (1 mile heat).

I have never swam an open water distance before, nor swam too much.

For the last 4 weeks I have swam a mile on a Saturday morning, in the swimming pool. Takes me 55mins to do so.

To train, should I swim a mile 2-3 times a week or some shorter distances and just the mile once per week?

Also, anyone done an open water swim and got any tips??

Thanks :)

Replies

  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    This from a couple of triathlon open-water swims:

    If you're swimming in a wet suit, practice that a lot - it's completely different to swimming without.

    Learn to breathe on alternate sides, it's the best way to make sure you're doing in the right direction, especially when you're being kicked in the face by 10,000 other swimmers.

    Try and get at least a couple of practice open water swims in. If you really, really can't, don't kick off at the end of the pool or put your feet down.

    Unless you're one of the fastest, be prepared to do some heads-up or even backstroke swimming to catch your breath, check where you are or escape from nasty brackish water.

    Try saving your mile (or slightly longer) swims fir the weekend and having different goals for your other sessions - say fast intervals for one, and half a mile at a steady, faster speed for the other.

    Good luck!
  • hammomh
    hammomh Posts: 43 Member
    Thanks BerryH.. I had not even thought about the fact I could be kicked by the other swimmers, with everyone being in eachothers way.

    I have been swimming in the pool for a mile and not touching the side or putting my feet down for the entire time to try and get used to the dstance, as in Open Water I know I wont be able to just put my feet down and have a rest.

    Planning to try and swim in the pool in my wetsuit, just waiting for it to be delivered, hopefully get it this week. Unfortunatley cannot do any practice outdoor swims until last weekend in May so will only have 2 goes before the actual event happens. (I can only find outdoor swims that I can get to that open only end of May until October)
  • fleaglebeagle
    fleaglebeagle Posts: 21
    I've done quite a bit of open water swimming
    I could talk for hours, but key things are

    If I had a 1mile open water swim, then I would get to a distance of about 1.3miles in a pool.
    This will give you the extra confidence on the day and will compensate for any flow of lake water and the cooler water.

    'Sighting' ( i..e. navigation of the race course) is important. If you ware doing front crawl, then on occasional training pool swims, take a very quick look ahead with your head raised out of the water, once every two- four lengths in the pool. It needs to be a very quick look, otherwise your legs drop.. This will allow your body to get use to raising your head for navigation.

    Of course on breast stroke sighting is not a problem. However bear in mind that perspective at water level is very difference to standing on the side of the lake. When I am sighting in a lake, regardless of stroke, I look for a landmark BEHIND the bouys that mark the course (if they are not massive bouys). Otherwise one bouy is similar to another.

    As you suggest, do try to get into a lake before the swim. When unfamiliar to lakes, the initial coldness can take your breathe away. This will not be as bad for your race, as you are using wetsuits... but it may be nippy to begin with, but you will warm up.

    Before the swimming season I usually take some cooler showers at home to remind me of what lake water is like

    The last 100 meters in a race is a classic time to go off course (due to tiredness, sprint and excited to be near the finish) .... so sight a bit more frequently if you are doing front crawl, in the last 100 meters.

    Good luck in your endeavour!

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