First Open Water Swim Tomorrow, any advice

What is the tempature of the water you will be swimming in?

do others swim at this spot ?
is there a lifeguard on duty ? or someone watching you?

I'd sample it first, do a short out and back, and see how it feels.
then go longer if it seems ok.

I'd stick to the level of where you are training now for sure, maybe cut it back a bit just for this time.

Edited by metafizx 2013-05-20 12:21 AM

It is not warm by any means, its 60 degrees. But thankfully outside today its 85 already and very humid. Hopefully that will help.

Are you going to swim in Alum Creek?
(I saw your profile that you are from Lewis Center, so I assume it).

If so, it would be nice coz Alum Creek is very shallow nearshore.
I am 5'5, and I remember that I can touch the bottom at 15-20 yards away from the shore.

But depending on where you swim in the lake, you need to try it out and be careful there.

I assume you have a wetsuit?
The water will be cold if you just wear a swimsuit.

Good luck!

No wet suit, yes I swam at Alum and it is very shallow close to shore. I jokingly said to someone afterwards that OWS is about as similar to swimming in a pool as riding a horse is to being on a carousel. It was definitely cold when I got in, but I was amazed how quickly my body adjusted to the water temperature. I didn't feel cold after a minute. I didn't swim especially well and I need to get a lot more practice doing swims in open water, but it was a good first trial I think. I jogged about 5 miles after getting out. The one thing that went thru my mind though was, man I am glad I didn't sign up for a 1/2 ironman to start as my first race as I had originally intended.

Sounds good.
There are a lot of races in summer at Alum Creek.
Did you sign up for any?
Last time when I did it, I remember quite few people just walked in the water, as supposed to swimming.

Ps, I am trying out my wetsuit in open water first time next week.
Guess the water would be warmer.