Long Run Split

For safety reasons (and no other), if it were ME (still wanting to do this, logistically convenient), I'd drive to the lake; swim; run home and back to my car.

Is Lake Michigan warm enough to swim that long without a wetsuit? Make sure you stay within distance of help in case your legs cramp during the swim. Make sure you hydrate well before the run home as swimming that far can use more energy than running would have.

Have fun!

I usually just throw my wetsuit into my backpack and bring a couple gels and a bottle of HEED. So once I get the beach I have a gel and than once I am out I just throw my wetsuit back in the back and run home. I just wanted to make sure I was still getting the same effect of the long run by splitting in two portions.

It depends on what you are training for/hoping to accomplish with this workout.

If you are training for something where the long run is key (i.e. half and up), then I don't recommend splitting it up like that. Logistically, if you have to do it that way, then that's reality, but it's not ideal.

In that case, no you won't be getting the same effect. While you'll still get some benefit from doing it the way you've planned, it will be different than if you did one long run.

This is a good point...I use this website for lake conditions.  THe lake has been relatively warm but the storms churned up the colder water and I think it was 63 or so yesterday.  

I don't like swimming after a run or ride even in the pool.  I tend to cramp up more often and get much more tired in the water.  I personally wouldn't attempt an open water swim after a run.  How do you feel in the pool after a run?

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I've had leg spasms in a pool, when my legs were tired from running or cycling.

In a pool, it's an inconvenience.

In open water, it can be a serious danger.

I think it depends how serious you are being with this. I plan my runs and occasionally my bike rides around the gym where I swim so that I can run straight into the gym and into the pool because it feels nice. I'm sure I'm not giving that swimming session my all after a long run...but how great does a good swim feel after a run?

In my opinion, splitting up the run and going for the swim in the middle sounds like a great way to spend a workout session. It's nice to mix things up. How much will you really mess up the long run? I don't have any idea on that, but it seems like a good idea to train yourself to run under all kinds of conditions. I plan a lot of my longer runs for days that my legs are already tired and consider it sort of a modified brick.

I occasionally do this (to pool though) but to answer your point, if it wasn't your long run I'd say OK.  However, a long run in your situation sounds like a key workout and the whole point of it is to keep running for that length of time so I'd say do not split this one (but other non key ones you could)

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