Open Water Swiming Nirvana

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2008-08-29 4:53 AM

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Veteran
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Newcastle, England
Subject: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

Do you ever have swimming sessions where you feel at one with the water like you could swim for ever?

 This has happend my past two OW Swims

Last nite i did my longest ever non-stop swim - over 4 miles

The lake was very chopy when i got in but the wind droped not long after the first Mile

I only swim once per week so i was very happy, each lap was just over 1-mile and my splts were:-

  • 31 Mins
  • 29 Mins
  • 27 Mins
  • 28 Mins

i lost a bit of form towards the end - but overall very happy



Edited by WildWill 2008-08-29 4:54 AM

2008-08-29 6:49 AM
in reply to: #1636833

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Regular
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Essex, England
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

I have had similar but not over that sort of distance.

happened in my last sprint race 800m OWS I could have gone for miles and came out the water in 17mins ready to sprint through T1 and onto the bike,

the water must have been nice and cool all the way up in Newcastle !!!

2008-08-29 6:51 AM
in reply to: #1636833

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Elite
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Athens, Georgia
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
I don't think I have swam that far collectively since I started training. You are stud knocking out mile splits like that. The only time I have even come close to speed like that I was being towed behind a boat looking for lobster.
2008-08-29 7:41 AM
in reply to: #1636870

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Colo Springs, CO
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

triguynewbie - 2008-08-29 5:51 AM The only time I have even come close to speed like that I was being towed behind a boat looking for lobster.
Um... were your friends using you for bait?!

Great splits! I've only done 4 OWS so far, but have found I really prefer it over pool laps. So much easier to get into a rhythm and keep going.

2008-08-31 10:51 AM
in reply to: #1636833

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Veteran
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Newcastle, England
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
I hate it when OW season finsihes ... i find poolslike treadmills and cant stand long sessions
2008-08-31 12:03 PM
in reply to: #1636833

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

Never in OWS, but yes in the pool.  I've had this feelin a couple of times, where it was like I was in that pool comercial where you're just gliding in the water effortlessly.

I couldn't decide if it was that I just finally figured out how to swim or if maybe I was suffering from a lack of (or too much) oxygen!

2008-09-01 6:49 AM
in reply to: #1636833

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Expert
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North Metro ATL
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

I do often feel like I can swim forever but that is in the pool. I usually swim 1-3 miles non stop.  Again, that is in the pool. I often think if I had my ipod in there with me I might never stop.

 I am new to open water so I can't say that has happened for me in OWS. I am so creeped out in open water. Not by the water itself but the soft bottom of the lake. So I would think I would get that swim forever feeling as long as I was secure I wasn't going to touch the bottom or any weeds/sticks/debris.

2008-09-01 6:08 PM
in reply to: #1636833

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
WildWill - 2008-08-29 4:53 AM

Do you ever have swimming sessions where you feel at one with the water like you could swim for ever?

 This has happend my past two OW Swims

Last nite i did my longest ever non-stop swim - over 4 miles

The lake was very chopy when i got in but the wind droped not long after the first Mile

I only swim once per week so i was very happy, each lap was just over 1-mile and my splts were:-

  • 31 Mins
  • 29 Mins
  • 27 Mins
  • 28 Mins

i lost a bit of form towards the end - but overall very happy

Wildwill,  I read this post with lots of interest.  I'm a 60 yr. old "Newbie" with several yrs. of running base but only a couple of months biking and swimming.  I'm training for the Hi-
Fi Tri in Galveston next month. (Sprint).  I could swim some  but only swam recreationally maybe 2 or 3 times each Summer.  So to get ready for the Sprint, I have been swimming in a cordoned off swim area in a local lake (400').  I have worked up to 4,000 ft. but my times aren't great.  I started out swimming accross a local bayou but I was warned by many folks about boats, snakes, alligators, nets, and trot lines.  I would love to break out of this cordoned off swim area and swim across the lake to get some real OWS in and maybe even at night (like your post suggests).  My question is, when you swim across this lake at night, do you worry about any are all of the above mentioned issues?  Is this a private lake where you know there will be no boats or do you just take the risk?  I don't know if I could focus on swimming and enjoy it if I was wondering what else was in the water.  Could you please elaborate some more on your great swims.  I would love to work up to 3 or 4 miles in a nice lake or bay.  I would sure love to get my times even anywhere near your times.  Thanks,  Dan
2008-09-01 7:33 PM
in reply to: #1636833

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

OMG!  Please don't swim at night with the gators!  That's when they hunt.

At some point, we have to be reasonable about our OWS.

Or maybe I'm just a chicken (I'm gonna be honest, I am a chicken).

But seriously, most of the gator experts will tell you that you shouldn't be out there at night. 

2008-09-01 8:44 PM
in reply to: #1642127

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
ggwellness - 2008-09-01 7:33 PM

OMG!  Please don't swim at night with the gators!  That's when they hunt.

At some point, we have to be reasonable about our OWS.

Or maybe I'm just a chicken (I'm gonna be honest, I am a chicken).

But seriously, most of the gator experts will tell you that you shouldn't be out there at night. 

No, You misunderstood.  I'm not swimming in the Bayou Dorcheat anymore. The lake that I swim in now is not known to have gators in it.  Of course during the daytime, there are lots of boaters, skiers, people fishing and riding jet skis, etc., so I could not venture but a few feet out of the dedicated swim area.  On the other hand, at night there really shouldn't be the danger of a boat or jet ski running over you.  I was just wanting to get some more feedback from Wil about his OWS at night on the lake.  Thanks,   Dan
2008-09-01 8:56 PM
in reply to: #1636833

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
Ahhhh...I can breathe now...thanks...I thought I was going to have a HEART ATTACK!

2008-09-02 2:23 AM
in reply to: #1636833

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Veteran
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Newcastle, England
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana

HI

(ill not do the QUOTE thing or it'll make a long post)

The lake i swim in is part of a county park - on occasion there are sailing boats or kayaks on but on the most they are finished by the time i start ... we dont have gators (this is the UK) nothing more than a few eels

i like to finish my swim, swimming into the sunset .... you cant see much but its a great feeling and i know i'll reach the end if i keep heading into the settining sun

2008-09-02 3:14 PM
in reply to: #1636833

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Expert
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Computerland
Subject: RE: Open Water Swiming Nirvana
I love swimming in open water too. It feels so freeing! In open water, I always feel like I can swim forever (unless the water is really cold!).
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