First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.

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2009-07-14 3:20 PM

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Subject: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
My first Olympic distance Tri is on August the 9th and I feel like I am REALLY unprepared for the OWS.  I can swim 1500 meters in the pool easy.  I have swum open water before and found ti much more tiring. My local club has ows twice a week but I always seems to miss the practice for some reason.  Now I have less than a month and I am beginning to freak out a bit.  Whats the best plan to be ready in 4 weeks?

2009-07-14 3:27 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
Find any way possible to get to an open water swim.  Really.  It's that easy, you need to get used to swimming under those conditions.  I learned that the hard way this weekend and will now be swimming in a nearby lake every week
2009-07-14 4:03 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
If you can get a few ow swims in at the actual race site, that would be ideal. Swimming in the ow with wetsuit can be scary experience. The more you can do the better. You have time.
2009-07-14 4:07 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
If unable to get to OWS practices, have confidence in the fact that you can do the distance - that's half the battle. If it's wetsuit legal, that's a big plus too. The buoyancy helped me a lot in time and comfort in the water. Get to the race early and get in the water for a light swim. Enjoy the race, good luck and have fun.
2009-07-14 4:28 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
According to your logs you really don't swim much.  If that's the case, get in a lot more swimming between now and the race, both in the pool and in OW.  This will increase your fitness and (probably more importantly) your confidence level.  When swimming in the pool, consider that 2000m non-stop might feel like the equivalent of 1500m in OW due to all the "resting" your arms get at each turn. 
2009-07-14 6:00 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
Make yourself go to every OWS practice they have between now and the race.  It's very very different from pool swimming.

2009-07-14 7:06 PM
in reply to: #2285008

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Subject: RE: First Olympic in a little less than 4 weeks, severe OWS Anxiety.
I found that I actually like ows way better than the pool.  I hate having to turn around all the time.  If you have a wetsuit, you may find the bouancy that it gives your legs very helpful.  Good luck - I finished my first OLY satuday - it's a great feeling!!!!
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