What are you guys training for?

[jan ameling]

I have been a (self-taught) swimmer for about four years now, but I don't have any competitive background - despite having been a member of a (masters) swimmingclub.

About half a year ago I decided to start training for open water events. I stopped swimming the other strokes (fly, back, breast) and a while ago I swam my first 2 mile open water race - in which I finished as one of the very last swimmers hahahaha (1 hour and 15 minutes). I had trouble with the orientation in open water (I think I swam well over 2 mile indeed haha)

In order to participate in competitive swimming (in either open water or in the pool), the Dutch system requires you to have what you might call a starterslicence. And if you want to own one of those you need to be a member of a swimmingclub.

Now I'm thinking about joining my local masters group (they are know to have very good trainers who focus a lot on technique) so i can 1) get a starters licence and 2) improve my technique.

Another reason why I considered a masters group is because I find it hard to stay motivated for open water, seeing the fact that these races are only held during June, July, August and September. That's eight months without racing!

So I was wondering what you guys are training for so I can take that into consideration. Do you train solely for open water or do you also train for, say, 200 IM or fly?

Sorry if I didn't make any sense; I have a hard time being concise.

[naj]

Originally Posted by jan ameling

I have been a (self-taught) swimmer for about four years now, but I don't have any competitive background - despite having been a member of a (masters) swimmingclub.

About half a year ago I decided to start training for open water events. I stopped swimming the other strokes (fly, back, breast) and a while ago I swam my first 2 mile open water race - in which I finished as one of the very last swimmers hahahaha (1 hour and 15 minutes). I had trouble with the orientation in open water (I think I swam well over 2 mile indeed haha)

In order to participate in competitive swimming (in either open water or in the pool), the Dutch system requires you to have what you might call a starterslicence. And if you want to own one of those you need to be a member of a swimmingclub.

Now I'm thinking about joining my local masters group (they are know to have very good trainers who focus a lot on technique) so i can 1) get a starters licence and 2) improve my technique.

Another reason why I considered a masters group is because I find it hard to stay motivated for open water, seeing the fact that these races are only held during June, July, August and September. That's eight months without racing!

So I was wondering what you guys are training for so I can take that into consideration. Do you train solely for open water or do you also train for, say, 200 IM or fly?

Sorry if I didn't make any sense; I have a hard time being concise.

Don't worry your English is fine and totally understood. I can't speak for other forum members but I don't compete in races (never was competitive about sports). But, I do enjoy a challenge and I like pushing myself to do more. At present I am training for a 10k swim that I will do solo in October from the famous Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. I'm not concerned with the distance so much as being able to stay in the water. The swim will take anywhere from 1-and-a-half hours to two-hours - depending on tide conditions and wind. The water will still be relatively warm at 60 or 61F and if I get a good current I think I can do the swim in 1 1/2 hours

I only swim in the ocean now and rarely in the pool. Too me, the ocean is far more exciting and is never the same way twice in a row!

[RVL]

I cannot find the words to describe the joy , fear, and freedom I experience when I swim out to the B Buoy @ the La Jolla Cove in San Diego. When the swells hide the shore, when the kelp paddies offer me a place to rest, when the pelicans warp past and the sea lions investigate,..I find I`m in another world where the cares of this world drown.

[shuumai]

I'd like to develop all the skills and endurance to do a nice 400IM. That should take a number of years, so I'm set for challenges for now. hehe

[naj]

Originally Posted by RVL

I cannot find the words to describe the joy , fear, and freedom I experience when I swim out to the B Buoy @ the La Jolla Cove in San Diego. When the swells hide the shore, when the kelp paddies offer me a place to rest, when the pelicans warp past and the sea lions investigate,..I find I`m in another world where the cares of this world drown.

RVL, I'm right there with you. I enjoy the taste of salt water, the choppy water, ebbs, floods, and yes the seals can be interesting but up here in the Bay Area they can get a bit aggressive. But nonetheless, at least for me, open water in particular in the ocean is the best bar none!

Shummai, that's a tall order to do the ultimate to do a 400 IM, I've watched those at the World's and that's no small feat. Good luck with that and keep us posted.

Keep Swimming!
Naji

[shuumai]

Originally Posted by naj

Shummai, that's a tall order to do the ultimate to do a 400 IM, I've watched those at the World's and that's no small feat. Good luck with that and keep us posted.

Well, at first I'd settle for a good 100 or 200IM. hehe At those distances, I guess it's all about the variations in the turns. Still a tall order for me.

[lanceryoung]

Old age darling. Training for old age.

[Rhoda]

1:15 isn't bad for 2 miles/3 kilometers, especially if it was your first open water race ever. For most people, the first one is all about finishing and getting through it.
By all means do the other strokes and train for pool races. Some of the fastest open water swimmers do both. I've heard of a triathlete/open water swimmer who mainly trains butterfly in the winter. Towards the end of April you start to do long intervals, with or without other people.
Me, I'm sort of semi-competitive. I'd like to do more pool racing, having tried it for the first time last winter, and I aim to do 2 or 3 open water events in the summer. I'm hoping to move up to the 5k distance next season.
But my biggest pleasure so far has just been vacation swimming. Swimtrek tours, or just going out for an hour before breakfast while staying at some out-of-the-way resort, such as in Belize two years ago. Watching the little fish darting under me as I glide along. Seeing startled faces on flotation toys and docks as I swim past and wave to them. Sprinting frantically for shore when some mysterious creature keeps bumping into my legs... okay, forget that one.

[ewa.swimmer]

I competed at my first National Senior Games in August. I trained for 6 months to do the shorter distances. I don't like it. I enjoy getting into the "zone" when you do long distance swims. You can't do that when you keep hitting the wall. At the Games I took a DNA test. One of the things it shows is if you are more likely to be an endurance athlete or a sprinter. No surprise...I'm not a sprinter.
Here in Hawaii we have open ocean swimming year round. I did the Waikiki Rough Water (2.4 mi) at the beginning of the month. I have a 1.2 mi race next month. If I can find an escort kayak I will try the Double Rough Water (4.8 mi) in Dec.

[naj]

Originally Posted by ewa.swimmer

I competed at my first National Senior Games in August. I trained for 6 months to do the shorter distances. I don't like it. I enjoy getting into the "zone" when you do long distance swims. You can't do that when you keep hitting the wall. At the Games I took a DNA test. One of the things it shows is if you are more likely to be an endurance athlete or a sprinter. No surprise...I'm not a sprinter.
Here in Hawaii we have open ocean swimming year round. I did the Waikiki Rough Water (2.4 mi) at the beginning of the month. I have a 1.2 mi race next month. If I can find an escort kayak I will try the Double Rough Water (4.8 mi) in Dec.

ewa, I'm jealous! Ynotcat invited me to do the Maui Chanel this year but I couldn't scrape together the funds Rough water swims are a blast. The Golden Gate Bridge swim held here in S.F. is a fun one. I enjoy really having to concentrate on your TI skills in rough water (i.e. mail-slot, solid rotation, seeing how far you have to roll to breathe.)

Maybe next year I'll be able to join you in Waikki

Keep Swimming!
Naji