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swimming in the COLD
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 2015-08-25 7:41 PM |
 15 |  Subject: swimming in the COLDhi! so doing my first olympic distance soon, and looks like it's going to be cold (upper 50's - low 60's)! i only have a sleeveless wetsuit (too late to even consider renting a full-sleeved one). i've looked into a neoprene cap and swim socks, but am wondering about my arms... do you think this will be a problem? or should i look into swim sleeves like the ones from TYR? http://www.amazon.com/TYR-Neoprene-Swim-Sleeves-Black/dp/B007PQS1XK... |
| 2015-08-25 8:21 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
Pro 15655    | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD What is the water temp? |
| 2015-08-26 7:17 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
New user 246 madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Most of my swimming is in the cold. (Lake Superior rarely gets above 65°) I don't wear sleeves unless it is below 58° but always wear a neoprene hat. I find that my inner ears suffer greatly if cold water gets to them. As they used to say in boy scouts, if you keep your head warm, you'll conserve 80% of your heat loss. True in water too. I wouldn't worry about your arms, they'll be moving anyway and will warm up. |
| 2015-08-26 7:22 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
Member 1748 Exton, PA | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD I've done events with water temperature in the high 50's without a wetsuit, it's cold but you'll be fine. As LB asked is the water temp in the 50's-60's or the air temp? This time of year most water is in the upper 60's, 70's or 80's unless you your in the Great White North. If the water is warm and the air is cooler it's a complete non-issue. |
| 2015-08-26 8:42 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
Regular 589 Wisconsin | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Ironman Racine this year, the water was 59 degrees in Lake Michigan. Raced in an Xterra Sleeveless with no problem. No other equipment. Took me about 10-15 minutes in the water before the race to get used to it and get my breathing regulated after getting in. Then again, I'm from Wisconsin, and 45 degrees is still "shorts weather" |
| 2015-08-26 9:15 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
Master 3127 Sunny Southern Cal | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Congrats on doing an olympic distance. You should be okay with the temps, and the neoprene cap will help. For me, when the water falls below 50F, then it takes about 5-10 minutes for any exposed skin to numb up a bit before I don't notice the temp as much. |
| 2015-08-26 10:15 AM in reply to: mike761 |
| 1731 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by mike761 I've done events with water temperature in the high 50's without a wetsuit, it's cold but you'll be fine. As LB asked is the water temp in the 50's-60's or the air temp? This time of year most water is in the upper 60's, 70's or 80's unless you your in the Great White North. If the water is warm and the air is cooler it's a complete non-issue. I'm getting ready for the Chicago Tri this Sunday. While the water temp was around 68 degrees for most of the summer, due to the storms last week it stays at 59-62 degrees. I was actually about to post the similar question. I don't have wetsuit and am planning to wear two caps - do they hold well? My biggest concern is that one would fall off the other, but I may be just paranoid...? I also started super cold baths this week to get my body adjusted to the temperature. And I read it's good to do some intense warm up before entering the water, to have heart rate higher. Your thoughts? Another tip was to splash water on the face first. Mary |
| 2015-08-26 10:27 AM in reply to: marysia83 |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by marysia83 Originally posted by mike761 I've done events with water temperature in the high 50's without a wetsuit, it's cold but you'll be fine. As LB asked is the water temp in the 50's-60's or the air temp? This time of year most water is in the upper 60's, 70's or 80's unless you your in the Great White North. If the water is warm and the air is cooler it's a complete non-issue. I'm getting ready for the Chicago Tri this Sunday. While the water temp was around 68 degrees for most of the summer, due to the storms last week it stays at 59-62 degrees. I was actually about to post the similar question. I don't have wetsuit and am planning to wear two caps - do they hold well? My biggest concern is that one would fall off the other, but I may be just paranoid...? I also started super cold baths this week to get my body adjusted to the temperature. And I read it's good to do some intense warm up before entering the water, to have heart rate higher. Your thoughts? Another tip was to splash water on the face first. Mary I've been ok with the two caps. It may take some experimenting to get it just right. Hair is longer than most guys, but not long enough to pull into something. Maybe not too different from yours based on the profile pic? Mine have stuck really well to each other and need to be more sure they don't pull off together. Try to use your judgement with air temps and potential wind chill (haven't looked at Sunday weather) for getting really wet well ahead of time. If you can do get wet just before you start and be somewhat active to get your body producing heat. The getting wet is to get over the initial shock factor. It can also trigger the heat generation. Face & head have tended to help the most with this. The rest of the body tends to fall in line when the face is more used to it. |
| 2015-08-26 12:02 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 72 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD I see from your profile that you live in Illinois. Are you from there or are you new that part of the country? If you come from a warmer climate I'd err on the side of caution. I live in Florida and this winter I'd do some OWS with groups and the sleeveless people didn't seem too happy. But again this is Florida I'm talking about and we're pretty weak when it comes to cold water. Just something to consider. Left Brain asked about the water temps. That is the real key there. |
| 2015-08-26 3:20 PM in reply to: pwoolson |
Member 1004 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by pwoolson Most of my swimming is in the cold. (Lake Superior rarely gets above 65°) I don't wear sleeves unless it is below 58° but always wear a neoprene hat. I find that my inner ears suffer greatly if cold water gets to them. As they used to say in boy scouts, if you keep your head warm, you'll conserve 80% of your heat loss. True in water too. I wouldn't worry about your arms, they'll be moving anyway and will warm up. Yeah, the 80 % heat loss through your head is a myth. Needless to say, it's an excellent idea to keep your head warm as you want the brain functioning well. |
| 2015-08-26 3:59 PM in reply to: b2run |
| 15 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD I'm doing the Chicago Triathlon and am from Chicago. Like someone mentioned, the winds shifted and has made Lake Michigan cold (water temps upper 50's to lower 60s). Since I'm fairly new to open water swimming, I'm wondering if being in a sleeveless would be adequate. I'm female and slender, so I don't have a ton of insulation, although I do warm up fairly quickly (from a running point-of-view). |
| 2015-08-26 4:12 PM in reply to: b2run |
| Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by b2run Originally posted by pwoolson Most of my swimming is in the cold. (Lake Superior rarely gets above 65° Yeah, the 80 % heat loss through your head is a myth. Needless to say, it's an excellent idea to keep your head warm as you want the brain functioning well.  I don't wear sleeves unless it is below 58° but always wear a neoprene hat. I find that my inner ears suffer greatly if cold water gets to them. As they used to say in boy scouts, if you keep your head warm, you'll conserve 80% of your heat loss. True in water too. I wouldn't worry about your arms, they'll be moving anyway and will warm up. Huh, I took a google around and looks like you're right. Always believed that! |
| 2015-08-26 4:36 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 1731 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by jamie1c I'm doing the Chicago Triathlon and am from Chicago. Like someone mentioned, the winds shifted and has made Lake Michigan cold (water temps upper 50's to lower 60s). Since I'm fairly new to open water swimming, I'm wondering if being in a sleeveless would be adequate. I'm female and slender, so I don't have a ton of insulation, although I do warm up fairly quickly (from a running point-of-view). My best friend and I are planning to do some "let's try this cold water" practice on Saturday. We don't want to swim crazy, as it's a day before the race, but just to get an idea on how our bodies would respond. Do you want to join us? Mary |
| 2015-08-26 5:51 PM in reply to: marysia83 |
| 15 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD thanks for the invite! i'm actually going to be with my friend saturday to do the expo/bike check, so not sure when i'd be able to go, but i hope the no-wetsuit thing will be ok for you! i was just thinking... for running in 50's air temp, i usually need a long sleeve-T, so i really can't imagine being submerged in water without sleeves in that kind of cold. this weekend will be a shock for a lot of ppl i think! |
| 2015-08-27 7:34 AM in reply to: b2run |
New user 246 madison, Wisconsin | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Though the number might be "wives tale-ish", I spend a LOT of time in the cold and find that I'm able to regulate my body temperature though my head better than anything else. Another great boy scout-ism is, "if your toes are cold, put on a hat". Works well. |
| 2015-08-27 8:10 AM in reply to: pwoolson |
| Master 10208 Northern IL | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Believe the numbers did happen, but were taken out of context from a study. It was a very situational thing. Definitely look at the head for cold water swimming, but more for some systems going batty as opposed to the head being anything special for heat loss even though it will certainly help with that too. |
| 2015-08-27 8:57 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 1731 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Another thing I've heard about warming feet after cold water swim: put hand or toe warmers inside your shoes and cover with towel. So when you come back from swimming you jump into warm shoes. I am taking super cold baths every day. The first time I was able to sit there for six minutes. Yesterday I decreased temperature and was able to stay comfortably for 15 minutes. Hopefully it will make a tiny bit of a difference on Sunday. I'm also trying to stay positive - if it's that cold - it will be a new experience for me, that maybe I can share next year with other first-timers  Mary |
| 2015-08-27 9:00 AM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 1731 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by jamie1c thanks for the invite! i'm actually going to be with my friend saturday to do the expo/bike check, so not sure when i'd be able to go, but i hope the no-wetsuit thing will be ok for you! i was just thinking... for running in 50's air temp, i usually need a long sleeve-T, so i really can't imagine being submerged in water without sleeves in that kind of cold. this weekend will be a shock for a lot of ppl i think! I did 10K run at the beginning of April. It was 35 degrees. My water bottle was so cold I could not hold it. I had long sleeve and after half of the run I was so hot I wanted to take it off. Cold temperature also made running easier, as I did not feel my quads, therefore, I did not feel if they were tired For this race - no matter what weather it is, I will be doing everything in regular swimsuite. Including the run. Mary |
| 2015-08-27 2:25 PM in reply to: #5136884 |
| 15 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD I did a 10k turkey trot in mid-20s last year, but i had time to adapt to that temp. Well at this point, i guess all i can do is be positive and just embrace this Sunday. Good luck! |
| 2015-08-27 2:42 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 1731 Denver, Colorado | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Good luck to you too! We have trained enough to not be discouraged by some silly cold water (remind me that when I enter that damn water...) Mary |
| 2015-08-27 8:45 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 37 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD My best advice is to get out there before the race. I just got back from Ohio St beach. Temps were finally above 60, I think it was 62.7. I did see one guy in just his speedos. I have a full suit, but I don't think a sleeveless would have made much difference. For me, It wasn't that bad, but hard at first. The cold water made my chest tight and felt hard to breath, but was fine after 200 yards or so. That's typical for what I experience with cold water (i.e. initial shock is rough but once I warm up or get use to temp I'm fine). I made the mistake of not testing the waters in my first tri this year (Leon's) and it was rough. The shock of having a tight chest and being kicked and punched by other swimmers was not fun. Definitely know how your body will respond to the cold water and you'll feel more comfortable/prepared for the OWS. Another thing to consider is how you'll feel after getting out of the water. You'll probably be shivering when you get out of the water and possibly on the bike ride too. I was shivering for a while when I got out of the water. Good luck to everyone racing this weekend! |
| 2015-09-04 1:43 PM in reply to: 0 |
| 15 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by marysia83 Good luck to you too! We have trained enough to not be discouraged by some silly cold water (remind me that when I enter that damn water...) Mary How was the swim for you sans wetsuit? For me, that water was really cold the first 200 meters (I actually got a hold of a fullsleeve), and since I was doing the international distance, I needed all the buoyancy & insulation I could get since I'm fairly new to open water swimming. I got really dizzy the first half.. not sure why, but I took a short break on a kayak to gain my composure, but the 2nd half was better! But man, do I need to practice my sighting skills... I was all over the place! But GREAT race overall! Really loved it (even though it was difficult -- prob will stick to sprints going forward). I'm actually trying to sell my sleeveless wetsuit if you or someone you know might be interested! It's under the classifieds section Edited by jamie1c 2015-09-04 1:45 PM |
| 2015-09-04 10:02 PM in reply to: #5136884 |
| 71 , Ontario | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD If you look into the research, the most important part of your body to keep warm is your core so the sleeveless wetsuit is more helpful and exposure of outer limbs isn't as bad as you think. They've in research exposed people to freezing temperatures with exposed limbs and so long as core stays warm all is well. So worry the most about your core and the limbs will follow what your core is. The core warms up with activity so the riskiest part is any time you spend before the race in the water. Keep moving and active so you don't get cold before you start and give your breathing time to adjust as the shock can cause people to panic and breathe off for a minute. I have swum without a wetsuit in much colder than those temperatures so don't stress about it. A trial of it the day before may give you added confidence but make sure it doesn't cause you to dread the cold - a positive attitude overcomes a lot of cold. Enjoy it, don't dread it! |
| 2015-09-04 10:07 PM in reply to: CarolynS |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD About noon tomorrow I can tell you about the first-hand experiences of some racers in 40 degree weather and 58 degree water temps from Edmonton. No thanks!!! |
| 2015-09-06 12:25 PM in reply to: jamie1c |
| 160 | Subject: RE: swimming in the COLD Originally posted by jamie1c Originally posted by marysia83 Good luck to you too! We have trained enough to not be discouraged by some silly cold water (remind me that when I enter that damn water...) Mary How was the swim for you sans wetsuit? For me, that water was really cold the first 200 meters (I actually got a hold of a fullsleeve), and since I was doing the international distance, I needed all the buoyancy & insulation I could get since I'm fairly new to open water swimming. I got really dizzy the first half.. not sure why, but I took a short break on a kayak to gain my composure, but the 2nd half was better! But man, do I need to practice my sighting skills... I was all over the place! But GREAT race overall! Really loved it (even though it was difficult -- prob will stick to sprints going forward). I'm actually trying to sell my sleeveless wetsuit if you or someone you know might be interested! It's under the classifieds section Out of curiosity, what temperature was the water? My first triathlon was in the high 50 F and the water was by far the most comfortable place to be. |
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