cold water swim hints

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2008-05-21 9:17 AM

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Expert
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Subject: cold water swim hints
I have a oly coming up in two weeks where the water is between 58-60 degrees. I was in the water last week with a wetsuit but my feet and face were numb when I got out. I couldn't imagine getting on the bike sockless, wet, numb, and riding in the wind. Any tips or suggestions on how to deal with this?


Edited by mikep 2008-05-21 9:18 AM

2008-05-21 9:21 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Expert
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Pitt Meadows, BC
Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
I've done a race like that 2 years in a row. What I did? Nothing! I just rode without being able to feel my feet! (This year water temp was 50deg F)

It all depends on your goals, I saw a lot of people putting on long sleeve shirt after the swim, but you could just bring arm warmers and put them on while you're on your bike.
2008-05-21 9:28 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
I've done two races where the water was in that range, but I've never had any issues with my feet being cold. You may be able to wear neoprene socks, you can get them at a rafting or dive store. I don't think there are any rules against them.

Don't forget ear plugs, water that cold can cause serious discomfort pretty quickly if you don't use them.
2008-05-21 9:35 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints

Last year I swam in 60 deg water for a little under 30min with no problem.  This year I swam in 54 deg water for a little under 40min and I was numb and disoriented getting out of the water. 

If it's cool when you are going to ride, take the time to put on arm warmers or a jacket (I always use socks anyway).  For the swim, consider a neoprene cap.  And if you use ear plugs, remember to take them out in T1.

The numb feet aren't that big of a problem.  They'll warm up eventually.

2008-05-21 9:56 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Master
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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
My race this past weekend the water temp was in the 60's, and air temp 44F when I got to the bike. I could not feel my feet/hands for the first half of the ride. After that, I started warming up. I would suggest hitting the hammer as soon as you get on the bike to help get the blood flowing, or as others have suggested put on a jacket/arm warmers.
2008-05-21 10:06 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Champion
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints

I did a race last month where the water was about 62, and it was 45-46 and overcast. I decided to just slip on my tri shoes which I had put toe covers on before the race and go w/o gloves. I did put on a light wind jacket that is tight fitting. Bike took me over 1.5 hours.

My feet and hands were numb and took my feet awhile to feel normal running. Still 3-4 weeks after the race my hands and feet feel a little odd. Next time I'll be taking time to put on socks and gloves.

2008-05-21 10:36 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Just to clarify, I was suggesting neoprene socks for the swim if your feet are an issue. They make them for whitewater rafting, scuba diving, etc. They're fairly inexpensive and may help.
2008-05-21 11:04 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Hey Mike,

SWIM FASTER!

Seriously, I agree with the earplugs and neoprene toe covers. Personally I like socks and don't mind the extra seconds it takes to put them on.

Mark

2008-05-21 3:02 PM
in reply to: #1415852

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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Like JohnnyKay, I swam in 54 degree water this past weekend.  And to be honest, it didn't phase me in the least.  Warm-ups were fine, I swam fine, ran out and jumped on the bike and out my feet into the shoes sockless.  I also take at least 3 or 4 20 minute ICE BATHS a month, so I'm used to cold water.  Give it a try
2008-05-21 3:24 PM
in reply to: #1415922

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Elite
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints

Hey, that was supposed to be  our little secret

JohnnyKay - 2008-05-21 10:35 AM

 And if you use ear plugs, remember to take them out in T1.

 

Kidding aside, I'd pack a bunch of stuff in your bag, including a towel, and then go with what feels most appropriate,.

2008-05-21 3:43 PM
in reply to: #1415852

Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Time your swim warm-up so that it coincides closely with the start of the race. I did the same race VanCityJ did, and I spent 10 minutes shivering on shore waiting for our heat to begin. I suggest you might want to try skipping a swim "warm-up" in really cold water. Maybe a dry land warm-up like easy jogging in your wetsuit on might be better. The shock of the cold water might be too much at the start though, I don't know. VanCityJ: what did you do for a warm-up?

2008-05-21 3:44 PM
in reply to: #1415852

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Science Nerd
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
If you can't find a neoprene cap before your race, you can wear two latex caps.  I've done that for OWS and it made a big difference in staying warm.
2008-05-21 8:21 PM
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Veteran
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The ATL
Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Neoprene cap, pee in your wetsuit, earplugs.
2008-05-21 8:27 PM
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
bboston88 - 2008-05-22 4:21 AM

Neoprene cap, pee in your wetsuit, earplugs.


**********************

I think I will stay with TriTank -- SWIM FASTER
2008-05-21 10:39 PM
in reply to: #1415852

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Expert
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Pitt Meadows, BC
Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
For warm up, light jogging on shore - nothing in the water, I was trying to spend the least amount of time in there possible. There's no way you can do a quick swim of 1-2mins and "warm up" when the water's that cold.

Also, I used a neoprene cap - very helpful! Nothing on the feet or hands as per the rules.
2008-05-21 10:48 PM
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
My advice for the swim would be, right before your swim wave starts (works perfectly for in-water starts) is to completely go under water (yes, that means top of the head under water).  That will at least ensure that the cold water will not feel like as much of a shock to your system when your race begins.  One of the biggest mistakes people make is to not get used to the water temp, whether it's 55 or 75, as any temperature water is likely to feel cold to your body.  If you've got a couple of minutes right before your wave, try swimming a bit to warm up.  After you get out of the water to get on the bike put on whatever you think you need to be comfortable.

2008-05-21 10:57 PM
in reply to: #1416167

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Elite
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints

tritank - 2008-05-21 10:04 AM Hey Mike, SWIM FASTER! Seriously, I agree with the earplugs and neoprene toe covers. Personally I like socks and don't mind the extra seconds it takes to put them on. Mark

But take a second to dry your feet before you roll the socks on, or your feet will still be cold on the bike.  Found that out 2 weekends ago.  My feet didn't thaw til the run was over. 

2008-05-22 8:37 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Master
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Barracuda thermal swim cap.
2008-05-22 10:02 AM
in reply to: #1415852

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Earplugs, getting acclimated to the water and warming up in the water before the start of your wave, neoprene booties, and maybe a neoprene swim cap. I did one last week and it was cold, so cold my feet were numb when I got out. Walk a little back to the transition, don't try to run too fast on cold, numb feet; bad combo. You'll be feeling no pain come race time, once you get started it will fly by.
2008-05-22 8:46 PM
in reply to: #1415852


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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
58-60 is pretty cold. San Fransisco Bay swimmers swim regularly in those temps. Earplugs for sure and a cold water cap as noted in prior posts


Cold water swim caps and how they keep you warmer

http://www.geocities.com/lapswimr/coldwatercaps.html
2008-05-22 8:59 PM
in reply to: #1415852

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Master
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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints
Are booties allowed under USAT rules?

2008-05-25 6:23 PM
in reply to: #1420474


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Subject: RE: cold water swim hints

peggyswims - 2008-05-22 8:46 PM 58-60 is pretty cold. San Fransisco Bay swimmers swim regularly in those temps. Earplugs for sure and a cold water cap as noted in prior posts  http://www.geocities.com/lapswimr/coldwatercaps.html
/>Yesterday I swum in open water of 67 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celcius), without a wetsuit. It was so cold that I needed at least a minute to get used to it a little bit although it felt quite comfortable after a while once my body adapted (I didn't plan to swim there but I had the opportunity because I was there for a survival run). Normally I feel warmer then most people (I wear comfortably a T-shirt when most people already wear sweaters).

I noticed that my ears hurt when I dived only 1-2 meters, of course I didn't dive any further as soon as I felt the pain. The breastcrawl with head in water was not a problem yet but it might be at even colder temperatures.
 

 

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