IMCDA Are you ready? (Page 9)

The ice is going to melt, right?

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That's just plain cruel!!

For anyone who cares, I emailed Emilio DeSoto today about possibly switching to the full top instead of the sleeveless.  Of course he was very helpful, but he also said that he has done IMCDA (2003) and has been swimming in the lake a dozen other times.  He said the water temperature "Isn't that bad" and that I'd be fine in a sleevelss.  Then he said "Depending on what you are used to."  Hmmmm...still leaves things a little vague for me!

Oh, absolutely!  Usually melts by the first of June, every year! 

Just kidding!!!  It's been melted for quite awhile. 

Hey, T.  How cold is that water in June?  I know you have previosuly told me you use a sleeveless, but what I don't know is if you are one of those wacko Polar Bear Club people, or an Eskimo or something. 

And 140.6 miles is sooo completely sane. Bwah hahahahahahahaha!!!!! 

No, I'm not a Polar Bear.  More like a whale.  Whales have the same protective fat layer but without all the fur.  Wait a minute, whales can swim so that will not work.  Elephant, yeh elephant will work.

I think the water temp last year was in the 65 to 67 range.  I swam in a sleeveless suit and did not get cold.  The only issue I've had with the cool water was getting it in my ears and then getting dizzy when I stand up.  I fixed that problem last year by using some wax ear plugs, they worked great.

At 6'0", 215 lbs and 23% bodyfat, I've got the insulation issue covered!

 Thanks for the post, T.  I'll definitely invest in ear plugs, regardless of wetsuit.

I have posted this for everyone worried about the cold water at IMCDA. http://www.boatwashington.org/hypothermia.htm

Best advice from this article is:

By swimming or treading water, a person will cool about 35 percent faster than if remaining still.

An average person, wearing light clothing and a personal floatation device (PFD), may survive 2 1/2 to 3 hours in 50° F water by remaining still.

Some good swimmers have been able to swim to .8 mile in 50° F water before being overcome by hypothermia.

What this mean is that when the gun goes off and you hit the water stop swimming and do not move.  By trying to swim your chance of survival is greatly reduced.  Stay this way until someone comes to get you.  If everyone does this I just might have a shot a Kona this year.

Folks-

Here is the thing....

Trying to predict the weather and/or water temp in CDA in June has about much success as an ice cube does in hell.  Locals do not count on the weather here until July 5th!  As far as DeSoto goes for saying it was okay in 2003...it was record hot that year and that day was off the graph!  Water will be in the 60's.  Maybe high 60's..maybe low 60's, you never know.  We have had a wet, cold Spring but local weather guru is calling for "hot" summer.  Wear what you are comfortable with, but do not leave it to chance.  Remember, swim is but a small part of the day, best to start off comfortable.  I have been water skiing already this year......in a dry suit and the water was friggin cold.  Looking at pictures from 2003-2005 there are far more people with sleeves than without!  Maybe for flotation, maybe for warmth. 

I like the idea of staying still and hoping. 

Just added another victim BT'er to the our list.  Put them at the top so they're easy to find.  That's 30 of us now....gonna be a great BT party!

klerman

OK, all you yankees scared the bologne out of me and I ordered a full top for my DeSoto suit...fits perfect, nice and warm, etc.  I will now be swimming CDA in a full suit rather than a sleeveless.  Because I had to spend the extra money on the full suit, I now have no money left for beer after the race...so, the way I see it, all of you people who told me I was risking death by hypothermia if I used a sleeveless can buy my finish line beers for me!

 Have a great weekend everyone...train safe, train smart..only 8 weeks to go!

Ok - I'll buy you some beer, but what a bunch of crap.  You spent your beer money, please?!  You may have spent your gas money, your grocery money, doctor money, whatever.  You DIDN'T spend your beer money.

You're right...I'd NEVER spend my beer money....kids' college fund, maybe.  But post-first-IM beer money??  Nope.

I'll still let you buy me a beer though! 

Oh man, that sucks.  Sorry to hear that...hope the knee heals up quickly.  Maybe next year?

Hello Everyone-

When it comes to beer, there is one thing for sure.....gotta have it.  Monday after the awards ceremony we can go to the bar and I am buying the first beer!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Anyone else get stiff/sore necks from being in the aero position.  Always on my left side going into my trapsezoid.      It feels like a burner or a stinger.

I finally got my vacation time locked in at work.  21-28 June.

53 days and some hours to go.   Been riding some with Tri Shorts, but still thinking about bike shorts for the 112 miles.  Then into running shorts for the final surge.    decisions, decisions and I hope I don't make any wrong ones.