Mass Start Swim Series - Box End 24/08

[944fan]

Anyone doing this? I have signed up for the 750m distance as a practice in OW for my first Tri in September.

Seems to be about 50 signed up in total but only 5 doing 750m. Seems like a lot of people go sub-10 minutes in that distance in these events so looks like I will be last! Never swam in OW before so just finishing it will be a start.


ETA:

Link for anyone interested:

http://www.galeforce-events.com/swimming-events/ma...

Edited by 944fan on Monday 19th August 10:23

[944fan]

Just received the competitor's information sheet. It says there is a trophy for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Male and Female in each distance. There is currently only two men in the 750m event so unless there is a late rush on entries on the day I am guaranteed 2nd place at least!

[944fan]

No one else doing it then? There are a few more competitors signed up now so no guaranteed medal.

Quietly stting myself about it now.

[Vladimir]

Bit far for me but been swimming loads this year so keen to do a race or two.

[944fan]

That was a disaster!

First time in OW. Not sure if it was the cold or the fact I couldn't see but kept hyper-ventilating. When I did get in my rhythm I was swimming well, but then something happened like my goggles steamed up or I got slapped in the face by some reeds.

Think my time was about 15 minutes which is fairly dismal.

Wouldn't say I hate it but enjoy wouldn't be my first choice of words either.

[Fozziebear]

944fan said:

That was a disaster!

First time in OW. Not sure if it was the cold or the fact I couldn't see but kept hyper-ventilating. When I did get in my rhythm I was swimming well, but then something happened like my goggles steamed up or I got slapped in the face by some reeds.

Think my time was about 15 minutes which is fairly dismal.

Wouldn't say I hate it but enjoy wouldn't be my first choice of words either.

You got in, you swam, you learnt for next time! Good effort! Been years since I swam any OW, I may hit Skegness next week!

[Highway Star]

944fan said:

That was a disaster!

First time in OW. Not sure if it was the cold or the fact I couldn't see but kept hyper-ventilating. When I did get in my rhythm I was swimming well, but then something happened like my goggles steamed up or I got slapped in the face by some reeds.

Think my time was about 15 minutes which is fairly dismal.

Wouldn't say I hate it but enjoy wouldn't be my first choice of words either.

Well done for giving it a go and finishing even when things maybe didn't go according to plan. The first OW race is always a bit weird. I can guarantee that the next one will go an awful lot more smoothly.

[Vladimir]

My sister did her first "race" in rough seas last week - she had to be pulled out near the finish after almost passing out. At least you fared better than that!

[Highway Star]

That reminds me, my aunt was the heart attack victim at the Great North Swim in June, her first OW event, and had to be airlifted to hospital and had a stay on the cardiac ward!

[anonymous-user]

You really need to get used to swimming in lakes and reservoirs or the sea where the vis is almost zero and you suddenly hit objects like sea weed, reeds, debris, other swimmers etc with little or no warning.

I learned to swim abroad and was a very competent swimmer but still took a bit of time getting accustomed to swimming in freezing UK lakes with sediment and ducks and swans swimming all around or coastal beaches with often sea brown with clay and sea weed everywhere.

I used to practice by trying to swim in the pool with my eyes closed for a bit. There are usually some reservoirs nearby that allow open water swimming in the summer, it's worth doing some research to the ones near you and getting some training in. Learn better technique in the pool with an instructor have some some lessons and do some open water sessions in your wetsuit.

[944fan]

Thanks for the tips. There are two place near to me that do OW swim sessions but both are un-supervised and so you need a "buddy" to swim with. So far I have yet to find any friends or colleagues to join me.

I had some coaching in the pool and hopefully the same chap will be able to do some OW coaching also.

[Highway Star]

Where in Bucks are you?

The OW swim series at Little Marlow is worth a go and I know that supervised OW sessions are available at Queenford Lakes near Oxford, some of my clubmates go down there on a Monday night.

[Vladimir]

Come and swim here in a head plus high swell. That's a serious test of OW ability!

[944fan]

Highway Star said:

Where in Bucks are you?

The OW swim series at Little Marlow is worth a go and I know that supervised OW sessions are available at Queenford Lakes near Oxford, some of my clubmates go down there on a Monday night.

In MK. Box End is nearby and they do sessions but you need to be in pairs/groups. You can swim at Emberton as well but that seems to be for club members. Thought about joining but with other commitments I wouldn't be able to make any meets.

Queenford Lakes looks good, perhaps a little far. They seem to do a Aquathlon every Sunday though so that may be worth turning up to, only £5 plus charity donation.