Subject: RE: 10 days til race...... I am in the exact same boat. I have one extra week before my first race but other than that, identical including my swim time. BTW, I also noticed that the 22 minute swim time minus the distractions of race day is not even close to being competitive at the race I will be attending.
Last week I strapped on the wet suit for the first time and got in the water with about 30 other beginners. Here are the things I found out: 1. ) That water was unbelievably cold even in a wet suit. It was 56 degrees and truely took my breath away. 2. ) It is very difficult to see. I have been practicing sighting since this experience in the pool and will take it back to the OWS this weekend. 3. ) The current (even though slight ) was very noticable. 4. ) I got smacked pretty hard in the face by another swimmer. I had expected this to some extent but nothing can totally prepare you for the crowd. 5. ) Did I mention how cold it was.
Anyway, please try to get in an open water swim before your race. I knew it would be different but did not realize how different. For me, it was more like survival than swimming. I will definitely be trying to get in a couple more before race day. One other thing, I can swim 1.5 miles in the pool easily just not fast so I don't think my experience can be linked to lack of ability. Best of luck.
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