10 Km

[Josefish]

Hi guys,

I have been swimming for 4 and a half years now. I go to the swimming pool 4/5 days per week and do about 10/12 km per week.
I am thinking of doing a 10k marathon in about 20 days.
Do you think I may complete it with no problem ?
The maximun distance I have swim in an OW race has been 5 k. with no problem.

Thank you for your advise

Josefish <><

[s.sciame]

Hi Josefish,
since nobody replied so far, I try to give my point of view, though I never swam a 10k (at most 6k in the pool including a descending 10x500m fs, and in ow my longer race was 3km so far).

IMHO your weekly volume is the bare minimum to attempt your first ow 10k. By the way, is it in a lake or sea? What about water temperature? No wetsuit I suppose, right? And since it's in 20 days, are you already doing some ow sessions to get ready for the new environment after a long pool swimming winter? Moreover, of your 10-12km per week, how many km are main (ie challenging) sets and how many are warmup/cool down?

If I were you, in order to swim a 10k I'd like to be prepared for the worst scenario, which is hypothermia. Don't know how well you do in cool water and how fast you are, but a 10k could require you to be in cool water more than 3 hours. Could it be a problem for you?

Secondly, I'd like to be prepared to feed and hydration while swimming. I'm not used to swim with a non empty stomach, I don't even take any drinks while swimming, no need for it up to 5k. But for a 10k it's needed to avoid cramps. Are you used to drink and eat during a long swim?

An interesting test Terry did last summer to assess his preparation before a long swim (more than 10k) was NOT eating one day and then go swimming a long session (like 5-6k): if he was able to complete the session with zero fuel in his body, he was confident enough that he was well prepared (ie his stroke was efficient enough for a long swim). Perhaps you could try a similar test yourself.

Hope that helps!
Salvo

[Josefish]

Thank you for your comments.
Race will be in Spain, in the Mediterranean. Water is about 18º and will use a wetsuit.
I know my volume per week is not as it should be. But I think I'll be able to accomplish it.
I have done a couple of 5 k OW in the pass and some 4k.

Thank you and regars

Josefish<><

[s.sciame]

Ok, 18C + wetsuit is definitely fine. Enjoy it!

Salvo

PS: in Spain, where in particular? I'm in Italy, maybe one day...

[descending]

Originally Posted by Josefish

Hi guys,

I have been swimming for 4 and a half years now. I go to the swimming pool 4/5 days per week and do about 10/12 km per week.
I am thinking of doing a 10k marathon in about 20 days.
Do you think I may complete it with no problem ?
The maximun distance I have swim in an OW race has been 5 k. with no problem.

Thank you for your advise

Josefish <><

Is it in a pool? Lake? Ocean?

Do you have support kayakers/boat? Nutrition?

I think a 10k in a pool no problem. If it gets bad you just stand up. Bonk on nutrition stand up etc etc. I do kayak support 2-3 times a year for ocean OW events up to 10k. If there is one thing even the most experienced gal I paddle for never takes for granted it's nutrition she always makes sure that is pegged down to the minute. This woman was an All American D1 swimmer in college and keeping her feeding on schedule is her number one concern race day so hopefully you have experimented with that to know your limits. Even if you are not racing it I think staying on top of hydration and fuel is a really big deal it can destroy anyone's day regardless of fitness on a swim that long.

Good luck and have a great day out there.

[Josefish]

Originally Posted by s.sciame

Ok, 18C + wetsuit is definitely fine. Enjoy it!

Salvo

PS: in Spain, where in particular? I'm in Italy, maybe one day...

In Murcia ( South east) . Just in front of Sicily ( to have a rough idea)

A presto

Josefish <><

[Josefish]

Originally Posted by descending

Is it in a pool? Lake? Ocean?

Do you have support kayakers/boat? Nutrition?

I think a 10k in a pool no problem. If it gets bad you just stand up. Bonk on nutrition stand up etc etc. I do kayak support 2-3 times a year for ocean OW events up to 10k. If there is one thing even the most experienced gal I paddle for never takes for granted it's nutrition she always makes sure that is pegged down to the minute. This woman was an All American D1 swimmer in college and keeping her feeding on schedule is her number one concern race day so hopefully you have experimented with that to know your limits. Even if you are not racing it I think staying on top of hydration and fuel is a really big deal it can destroy anyone's day regardless of fitness on a swim that long.

Good luck and have a great day out there.

We have kayak support and boats. It is a race from one island to other. In the middle ( 5 k ) there will be a boat with food and drinks. The water in this area of the Mediterranean is quite quiet usually. And the area is a protected reserve, so the view underwater is beautifull.
I will take it easy and don't think I'll have any problem to finish it.

Regards

Josefish <><

[descending]

Originally Posted by Josefish

We have kayak support and boats. It is a race from one island to other. In the middle ( 5 k ) there will be a boat with food and drinks. The water in this area of the Mediterranean is quite quiet usually. And the area is a protected reserve, so the view underwater is beautifull.
I will take it easy and don't think I'll have any problem to finish it.

Regards

Josefish <><

If you take it easy i.e. not race it as you said and are wearing a wetsuit + kayak and nutrition support I think you will be fine on your training. The new wetsuits are so amazing it's basically float along and add a little propulsion and you are on your way. Have fun.

[CoachStuartMcDougal]

Originally Posted by Josefish

Thank you for your comments.
Race will be in Spain, in the Mediterranean. Water is about 18º and will use a wetsuit.
I know my volume per week is not as it should be. But I think I'll be able to accomplish it.
I have done a couple of 5 k OW in the pass and some 4k.

Thank you and regars

Josefish<><

Hi Joefish,

That sounds like it's going to be a beautiful swim. 10k is a long way to swim in a wetsuit - no amount of lube will prevent some serious chafing 5k in. 18 deg (64 deg f) is balmy by channel swimming standards. I would acclimate without the wetsuit, but wear two thick caps and ear plugs to keep head warm. My prep is more time that it is distance, generally spend 2 hours continuous swimming in the conditions I'm expecting to compete. I may hydrate after two hours, but little to no solid food. If you wear a wetsuit, you will probably need to hydrate more often since you will be sweating much more in the suit.

Good luck and enjoy those crystal clear, blue waters.

Stuart

[Josefish]

Originally Posted by CoachStuartMcDougal

Hi Joefish,

That sounds like it's going to be a beautiful swim. 10k is a long way to swim in a wetsuit - no amount of lube will prevent some serious chafing 5k in. 18 deg (64 deg f) is balmy by channel swimming standards. I would acclimate without the wetsuit, but wear two thick caps and ear plugs to keep head warm. My prep is more time that it is distance, generally spend 2 hours continuous swimming in the conditions I'm expecting to compete. I may hydrate after two hours, but little to no solid food. If you wear a wetsuit, you will probably need to hydrate more often since you will be sweating much more in the suit.

Good luck and enjoy those crystal clear, blue waters.

Stuart

Stuart,

I will use lanolin for my neck. Have you used it ? doesn't matter how long you swim. At the end you have to clean it up with a towel from the neck. It is sold in Pharmacies at least here in Spain.
I prefer to use the wetsuit. I am a warm water fish, 18º is cold for me used to swim in the mediterranean. I know for you guys in the Pacific , it's different.

Thank you for your tips.

Regards

Josefish<><