Big Shoulders 5K OWS - Swim

Never got info on the exact water temp. I think it was around 69 or 70. Most people were not wearing wetsuits, and I was very tempted to not wear mine. Since I have no experience swimming in cold water without a wetsuit, I thought it would be wise to keep it on. (Note that my ranking is only out of the wetsuit group, not including the 300+ people who did this without)

There was some chop/waves and I found that I would drift slowly off course but then I would notice before it got too bad and I would cut back in as quick as I could. It wasn't like it was too crowded or anything. Even with the large number of people (500+ including all swimmers 5K and 2.5K) I only bumped into people a few times.

It was great to look up and see the Chicago skyline. I almost wanted to swim that leg with my head out of the water!

I really felt steady out there. I did do bilateral breathing the whole time because this keeps me in a good rhythm. This was similar to my HIM swim pace, so I think I am a one speed swimmer and this was it. I did feel good up through the end, except for how badly my arms/shoulders/neck were chafed by the wetsuit

Swim this without a wetsuit. Manage the outward "drift" a bit better to swim a little less distance.

None.


swim technique


This was a great event!