Great Chesapeake Bay Swim - 4.4 Mile : Official Thread

Funny Eric, I just logged on today to find you because I remember talking to you about the swim the last time I did this in.. 2008?  I am thinking I'd like to skip the wetsuit this year and try this as a "pure swimmer."  I'm not really fast or anything, but I think I am strong enough for the distance.  We shall see if I am strong enough for the currents. 

But I was thinking of sunburn, chafing, and any other non-wetsuit issues that I may not be thinking of.  Do you have any tips for me?  I remember that I got the typical odd looking burn on my forehead in 2008.  I'd rather not have that on my body.  I read somewhere about sleeping in sun lotion to get it soaked in, and I may try that.

Thanks!

funny, I just dropped in as part of my regularly-scheduled pre-race freakout management plan.  

this'll be my second attempt - I got thunderstormed last year since I am sloooow.

I went w/out sunscreen (or a wetsuit) last year with out much problem.  I had little strips of red up the sides of my butt where my suit rubbed the sunscreen off, and a lovely tan line across my forehead, but I was otherwise fine.

I've used the Neutrogena Wet Skin (spf 50?  80?  something stupid) for all of my training swims outside this year, and I've had no issues.

I go for the all-over spray before putting my suit on, then I reapply before getting in the water.

I did the Jim McDonnell 5k as a gut check for the Bay Swim.  Yes I know that it is a lake vs the bay, but I finished in 1:28:30 without really pushing it except for the last 500 meters.

I came out of the water feeling pretty fresh.  Hopefully, I will be able to push in the shipping lane.  Other than that, or super tough conditions, I think that I will be ok!

Thanks that's great advice!  Yes I read your race report too while checking this out. :-)  That would be awesome if that stuff can save the burn like that, I will have to check it out!

This is one of the most fun things I have ever done, I can't wait to get out there.  I will be in the back with you. :-)

Mike I think you are fine.  I don't believe I can do a 5k in 1:28, and I didn't have any issues with the bay swim.  The currents did freak me out, but some of that is panicking for fear of being near the spans and being pulled. 

well, since I don't really know anyone (except a friend of a friend that I've never met in person), feel free to introduce yourself if you find me.  I'll be the brunette with a sushi patterned bathing suit and a black tube top dress coverup, spraying herself with neutrogena sunscreen and laying on a tennis ball to release my overly cranky psoas.

Your suit has sushi all over it?  That is pretty funny.  I don't think we have any sharks though, so it won't matter.  I bought my neutrogena today as suggested - "Kids Wet Skin SPF70". 

I just drove through Worcester last weekend on the way to and from Mooseman.  If you want to meet, that is cool.  What time are you planning on getting to the parking lot?

You'll have enough time that you could probably head to Eagleman and hang out there and maybe run that course and cheer everyone on.

The traffic is going to be insane as we all head home at the same time, with beach traffic.

I think our plan is to drop me at the shuttles earlier rather than later so AdCo can go run for a while. If anyone's bored on Saturday, he's riding from the ferry in Lewes over to Hemingway-ish.

Thanks.  Yeah I can see why you'd feel that way.  :-\

Have fun everyone!  It's going to be a blast.  The water is warm, the sea nettle report shows just about nothing.  A friend driving over the bridge today said the water was calm.  It's on. :-)  Even if you are wearing sushi... ;-)

too funny.  of course, that was about 11 minutes ahead of me...  not my fastest day on the water, but I'm still happy with my day overall.

I stopped briefly around mile 4 to mooch water off a kayaker (I missed the mile two boat and had a massive headache for the last hour+, with nausea the last half mile) and apparently the woman just in front of me had stopped at the kayaks because she thought she might have hypothermia.  He asked how I was feeling w/out a wetsuit - honestly, the water temp was just perfect.

I could have done without the ebb that picked up and made 3.5 - 4 miserable, though.  Perhaps I should have swum faster.

There is a way to donate money to the charity and get in automatically.

Maybe I DID meet you.  I talked to a nice couple from Worcester as I was leaving.  I was wearing a PGA Shirt.