Chickened Out on OW Swim!
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2008-08-18 2:43 PM |
Extreme Veteran 638 Carlsbad, CA | Subject: Chickened Out on OW Swim! I went out this weekend with the intention of swimming 1000m in a new wetsuit, pretty much just to get the feel of it. Went down to the beach, got right in the water and it felt really good to be back in the waves! I grew up at the beach, but I've spent most of the past 10 years living in Arizona ... so I haven't been back out in a LONG time! Anyway, playing around a bit in the waves felt very comfortable. Not rusty there at all ... but when I put on the goggles and decided to head out to the offshore buoys, I freaked! Got maybe 25m before I realized there was no way I was going to swim out there alone, and I turned right around. That's never happened before. I grew up snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, etc., but I felt very uncomfortable and vulnerable in open water for the first time ever. I need some advice here ... anyone with similar experience(s), and how did you get over it? I think I'll be fine in a bigger group on race day, but I'd like to get at least a few open water swims in before then. I know that there's a group here that swims Friday mornings at the same beach (thanks WaterDog!), but I don't want to slow anyone down. Aside from just sucking it up and joining the group, anyone have any other advice? Thanks! |
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2008-08-18 2:48 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Member 53 San Antonio | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! I'm no expert and don't have experience at this, but do you have a friend who would go out with you on a jet-ski or a boat while you swim? That way you can swim and he or she could escort you just to watch your back and make sure you stay above water. Just a thought...at least that's what I would do if I weren't going with a group :-). |
2008-08-18 2:51 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Extreme Veteran 638 Carlsbad, CA | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! No, unfortunately, no friends with jet skis It's not the strength or fear of not being able to swim the distance, I think it's more of a new fear of what's underneath me. |
2008-08-18 2:55 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Champion 5575 Butler | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! Well first of all remember you won't sink in a wetsuit. My first OWS I couldn't swim for then 3 strokes with my face in the water the first 800m. When ever I started to panic I would just flip to my back and try and catch my breath. After I got out and yelled at my self I went back in and have been fine ever since. I would say take baby steps. You made 25m. Try doing that over and over again and slowly extend the distance. |
2008-08-18 2:57 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Extreme Veteran 1030 West Windsor, NJ | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! Nope. Just get out there and swim. It just takes practice...and every time you do it, you will feel more confident and less "panicked". Also: be sure to give yourself plenty of "warm up" time to get used to the water. Dip your head in. Take a good 10 mins or so to get used to the surroundings before going at it. Was the water cold? if so..you have been experiencing a little cold-water hyperventiliation. That goes away too...you just need to get your head/face used to the cold water. Just be sure to be safe. Never swim alone! |
2008-08-18 2:58 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Champion 5345 Carlsbad, California | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! Try doing this for your next workout: The white Bouy is 1/2 mile offshore and I would be a bit reticent about going it alone. (But is a great workout with the group) I usually swim out past the surf and then parallel to shore. Depending on the tide, the red bouys can be as little as 100 yards offshore but are usually right beyond the surfline. The beach your swimming at is a very popular surf beach and there are plenty of surfers around if you find yourself needing assistance. It is advisable if your gonna swim alone to stay somewhat close to the guys with boards Edited by WaterDog66 2008-08-18 3:00 PM |
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2008-08-18 2:59 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Extreme Veteran 638 Carlsbad, CA | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! No, the water was nice and warm. But you're right ... I tried to go it alone based on my previous life as a California beach kid, and I freaked. Time to join a group |
2008-08-18 3:02 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Extreme Veteran 638 Carlsbad, CA | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! WaterDog, Thanks, I appreciate the advice! I'm out of town this weekend, but will probably work up to NEXT Friday's morning swim. No way I make it to the white markers with you guys, but I think as long as I can get started with some others, I can pull off the rest of the swim by myself. Crazy feeling! |
2008-08-18 3:30 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Master 1325 Lake Oswego, OR | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! What you experienced is very common, and if you take a step back, is a sensible reaction. But that won't get you ready for your race. IMO the difference between a good pool swimmer and a good OW swimmer is 90% mental. I love open water swimming and I love to race OW. I do a lot of visualization practice before a race (or swim). I visualize my self having fun and swimming fast. I visualize my self drafting when I get the right set of feet and blowing past people going too slow. I visualized being confident in my sightings and in being able to deal with whatever happens whether it be a kick in the face or fogging goggles. I visualize myself having a great reserve of energy to finish in a sprint even though I've pushed myself to the limit during the swim. By mentally rehearsing the race I can perform at my best and my mind is full of positive reinforcing images. There is no room left in my mind for doubt. However, when I get stung by a jellyfish, I'm out of there.
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2008-08-18 3:39 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Member 360 Denver, CO | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! I had a similar experience on my first wetsuit swim (I swam in OW without issue). I swam out a bit, felt like I was being strangled, panicked, turned around and went back to shore. Once I collected myself I was able to start out again and complete the swim. Of course, I swim mostly breast stroke so that may make it somewhat easier to get used to. Good luck out there. |
2008-08-18 3:42 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Veteran 277 South Florida | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! I had a tri planned for October. I've been training a few months. Went last week to do my first OWS(without wetsuits) with some more experienced friends. It was calm and clear. We walked out to about chest height and started swimming even with the beach(I thought). I got about 10 yards, saw fish(small) swimming below me and I kinda freaked. I went to stop and stand and guess what, no bottom, I freaked even more. I swam to more shallow water and finished the swim, stopping every so often to take a break. I decided to cancel the race in Oct and focus on one in Feb next year. I want to be 100% confident and that is going to take alot more practice. I want to have fun, not be nervous. Excited, yes, nervous, no. Keep training and don't give up. |
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2008-08-18 3:50 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Expert 721 | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! I went out to do my swim today on the lake where we have a cottage. Usually I swim between our dock and one about 400 yards across a cove, but the waves were a bit rough (1-2 feet, with occasional whitecaps), so instead I waded in and swam across the cove in waist deep water. It seemed the prudent thing to do since I was alone! It might help if you swim where you can stand if you start to get nervous (until you join a group ). |
2008-08-18 7:51 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
6 | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! so glad to read this post. i totally agree w/ e=h20. i just tried a 1 mile open swim race and went back in after 1/4 mile. it was all mental. i felt like i kept seeing things, fearing the jellyfish that stung me the week before, could breathe, couldn't catch my stride. pool swimming is great, ocean swimming should be the same but i think if you aren't there mentally, it won't happen. i vote that you maybe try a couple of these races if you can so at least you are swimming with someone if you don't have friends with jet skis. its just safer that way. i wouldn't worry about slowing anyone down - i think tri people are genuinely good and will look out for you whether or not you are ahead or behing. |
2008-08-18 8:02 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Expert 655 Muncie, IN | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! Well, I don't know how much advice I can give you but I can certainly say you're not alone! I've had some pretty substantial issues with open water and have chickened out of the swim portion of 3 tris!!! I think you just have to keep at it. Swim in a group for safety. I'm still not sure I'll end up getting over it but I'll try! Some swims I've felt OK and others I've been so terrified that I've been almost sick to my stomach! Good luck! |
2008-08-18 9:18 PM in reply to: #1611257 |
Expert 961 Illinois _ Chicago area | Subject: RE: Chickened Out on OW Swim! As others have said, you're not alone. I have struggled with fear in the OWS and I swim in Lake Michigan where I don't have to worry that there could be things that can eat me lurking below. Only things below are the occasional shopping cart or old tire. All I can say is practice, practice, practice. That is what has helped me. Each time I go out I feel more comfortable. Also, the more time I have logged swimming in the wetsuit has also helped me get used to that constricting feeling. |