First...why did I love it? Well, it wasn't very crowded so I wasn't being kicked or anything. I liked the feeling of swimming and swimming and swimming and not having to turn around. It felt like real swimming. I didn't swim for that long but I was quite tired after.
Then I finally convinced myself to go in. At first it felt cold but it really wasn't. I wasn't wearing my wet suit - don't figure I can get it on at the moment. That's another hurdle. Maybe I'll try next week. I had trouble sighting. At one point I found myself heading back into shore when that was so not where I thought I was going. How do you sight? I did a lot more breast stroke than I wanted - sometimes for the purpose of sighting, sometimes for a break. My goggles filled with water. I got to where I could touch and fixed them. But I won't want to do that during a race. They fogged up. I thought that was an inside thing! Frustrating. So then I really couldn't sight. At all. Any tips for foggy goggles? And what about the sun? I am so screwed with all these things to think about beyond just swimming. What else did I wonder? Sighting was definitely the big thing. It was so strange not having that wonderful black line to follow. I don't know how far I swam which is hard for me as I am so anal about tracking my exercise distances. I was back at the lake where I watched the triathlon so I had a clue about the course and went back and forth (sort of) on that a few times. So lots of questions but overall............. I loved it.
See I'm out there.
I'm sure with very poor technique but I'm moving forward.
I wore a bright green cap so I could be spotted.
More than once I found myself on the wrong side of the buoys.
But I kept on going.
On the way to the lake I was listening to a podcast. (Running with the Pack) Stevie was talking about her goal for golf. It is simply - suck less each time she plays. I would have to say that is a perfect one for me with swimming. I'm stealing it!
18 comments:
It's great that you had a practice run at open water swimming. You've found out where you've got issues and now you can try to iron out the creases. I was told once that you had to spit on the inside of your goggles and smear it around to stop them fogging. I don't know if this works or not - I'm no swimmer.
I was going to give you the same spit advice as Char. That's my only contributionto your questions. But I'm a heck of a cheerleader, so...you are AWESOME for getting out there and conquering your fears and enjoying it to boot!! I seriously want to be just like you when I grow up. For real.
spit works...rub it arond then a few drops of water dripped in off your fingers to rinse it out.
Even better is to take toothpaste back at your house. and wipe the inside of your googles..then rinse.
Learn to clear your googles treading water.
Cool that you did your first open water swim!
I can't help you with your questions though.
That is awesome, well done! I read the heading and though "now what did she do this time...":) You rock! I also know the spit trick but Paul is right, you need to be able to clean them while treading water.
Everyone already mentioned spitting on the goggles. Try that.
Open water sighting: What I do is bring my head up every 6-8 strokes or so and course correct. That way I don't get too far off course. It's good to find something off on the other side of the water that you can aim for (rather than just the bouys).
You are awesome!
Congrats on our OWS!
Woo hoo! You did it! Way to go!!!
You rock. I played tennis last nite...and my goal for that is "suck less each time out."
I am learning from your comments! I need to remember the spit advice.
As far as sighting, I was told to look up every so many strokes to make sure you are still on course. Of course you know that during my tri I kept my head above water since it was so choppy. Not the most efficient.
I agree with learning how to clear your goggles while treading water. I felt comfortable with my tri swim because I knew I could tread water easily if I need be.
How did you take pictures of yourself while swimming?! Great progress with your swimming!
Awesome! For sighting, try looking up some you tube videos. Every 4-6 strokes after my breath, I try to swing my head around for a quick peek without letting my hips drop too far. I'm not very good at it.
Ha, just looked up what looks like a good video and I'm doing it wrong :-). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0-lP3exIfc&feature=youtube_gdata_player maybe that is part of my problem.
Wow! I cannot imagine swimming in open waters. I stink at swimming and if my feet can't touch ground, I can't swim.
Hey, congrats on your first OWS. I take OWS for granted living in Hawaii. I actually prefer to be in the ocean over the pool. Anyway, I usually sight during one of my breathing strokes where I take a look ahead instead of a side breath so that I don't break my rhythm. I try not to raise my head too much so my legs don't drop and I only sight as required... maybe every 20 strokes or so. I don't really know since I don't count, but you will get a feel for when to sight.
Btw, thanks for stopping by my site. I put you on my blog list so I can make sure to follow your posts. I love it when I come across others who, like myself, decided to do endurance sports after 50!
YAY, you did your first OWS!! I know you have to be somewhat relieved to have that done, great job!!
I've been going to an OWS race series here at the reservoir by my house (a post coming next week :)) and went to a clinic before last week's race where we learned a lot about spotting and other cool tips. Spotting: you can either breath by lifting your head every 3-5 strokes (most efficient way she said) or if you feel more comfortable breathing on the side, then swing your head to the front to take a quick peek. Don't do this every stroke, though - just every 4 or so.
I found that my stroke is entirely different in the OWS with a mass of people than it is by myself or in a pool, so be prepared to have to stop mid race to get around someone or them you. I thought I'd be petrified to do an OWS with a mass of people....but it didn't bother me much at all. You get into survival mode and do what you do to get from A to B!!
I sight approx every six strokes. For the sun issues, get tinted goggles they are totally worth paying a little more. It's like sunglasses but goggle sunglasses. As for fogging, try a product called foggle, it is my miracle product. It works every time. It comes in a square little packet and is a throw away wipe. If you keep it in a plastic baggy you can use one wipe up to about 3-4 times.
i'm impressed you *enjoyed* it! i'd have a panic attack and stay to play with the kiddos.
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