Chickened Out on OW Swim!

I'm no expert and don't have experience at this, but do you have a friend who would go out with you on a jet-ski or a boat while you swim? That way you can swim and he or she could escort you just to watch your back and make sure you stay above water.

 Just a thought...at least that's what I would do if I weren't going with a group :-).

No, unfortunately, no friends with jet skis

It's not the strength or fear of not being able to swim the distance, I think it's more of a new fear of what's underneath me. 

Try doing this for your next workout:

Swim out to the red bouy (Left or Right, does not matter) and then swim along shore to the other one and then back to shore.  Run along the beach to where the other bouy is and repeat if you want a longer workout.

The white Bouy is 1/2 mile offshore and I would be a bit reticent about going it alone. (But is a great workout with the group) I usually swim out past the surf and then parallel to shore. Depending on the tide, the red bouys can be as little as 100 yards offshore but are usually right beyond the surfline.

The beach your swimming at is a very popular surf beach and there are plenty of surfers around if you find yourself needing assistance. It is advisable if your gonna swim alone to stay somewhat close to the guys with boards

FWIW: I do a workout in Carlsbad where I start at Tamarack and swim up the beach to the Army/Navy Academy and back and am never more than a 100 yards or so from a surfer and am usually just beyond the lineup so it's a lot easier to swim to shore.

Oh, one other thing: We spotted a ton of stingrays last Friday. Be sure to shuffle your feet. Would not want Julie to pop you one in the foot should you happen to step on her

WaterDog,

Thanks, I appreciate the advice!  I'm out of town this weekend, but will probably work up to NEXT Friday's morning swim.  No way I make it to the white markers with you guys, but I think as long as I can get started with some others, I can pull off the rest of the swim by myself.

Crazy feeling!  

What you experienced is very common, and if you take a step back, is a sensible reaction. But that won't get you ready for your race. IMO the difference between a good pool swimmer and a good OW swimmer is 90% mental. I love open water swimming and I love to race OW. I do a lot of visualization practice before a race (or swim). I visualize my self having fun and swimming fast. I visualize my self drafting when I get the right set of feet and blowing past people going too slow. I visualized being confident in my sightings and in being able to deal with whatever happens whether it be a kick in the face or fogging goggles. I visualize myself having a great reserve of energy to finish in a sprint even though I've pushed myself to the limit during the swim. By mentally rehearsing the race I can perform at my best and my mind is full of positive reinforcing images. There is no room left in my mind for doubt. However, when I get stung by a jellyfish, I'm out of there.

 so glad to read this post. i totally agree w/ e=h20. i just tried a 1 mile open swim race and went back in after 1/4 mile. it was all mental. i felt like i kept seeing things, fearing the jellyfish that stung me the week before, could breathe, couldn't catch my stride. pool swimming is great, ocean swimming should be the same but i think if you aren't there mentally, it won't happen.

  i vote that you maybe try a couple of these races if you can so at least you are swimming with someone if you don't have friends with jet skis. its just safer that way.  i wouldn't worry about slowing anyone down - i think tri people are genuinely good and will look out for you whether or not you are ahead or behing.