IMWI swim start seeding

over a barrier

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

I started about 15 feet from the skip jump (shore side), probably 4 or 5 rows back and swam a 1:05 something. The first two buoys are a madhouse, after that it clears up

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Master

1222

Lafayette, IN

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

Any ideas where I should seed being at 1:45 or so? On the shore?

Edited by Gregkl 2010-08-03 3:49 PM

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Expert

924

Western WI

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

I started to the left of the ski jump about 5-7ish "rows" back. it was a FREAKING MADHOUSE. I didn't intend to start there, but got out there too early and drifted to that spot. i was just under 1:17. This year, I'm planning hoping for a better time and am planning on starting as close to shore near the front as possible, staying near the shore for the first leg then heading more inside, towards the bouys after the first turn. I will happily avoid the CRAZYNESS of last year even if that means i have to swim an extra 50 yards to get to that first bouy. it's so CRAZY if you're in the midst of it that there is no time to even think about freaking out - you just have to KEEP SWIMMING!!

have fun!!

note: if you're planning on starting in a very specific location, pay attention and plan on adjusting during the wait - you're going to drift...

Edited by TriRx 2010-08-03 4:37 PM

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Iron Donkey

38643

, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-03 3:04 PM For those that have done this swim before where did you seed yourself and what was your expected/actual time? I am going for a sub 1:10 swim and expecting to be anywhere from 1:08 on a great day to 1:15 on a horrible day. I am planning on starting just right of the boat ramp and try to lead the line into the first turn buoy.

I'm thinking a kick in the face causing a bloody nose, eye(s) blackened, googles missing a lense and worn off-kilter on the face, and a missing tooth, and then finishing in 1:28 would be a horrible day.

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Champion

6056

Menomonee Falls, WI

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

I started to the shore side and rear of the group and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, I was almost disappointed how little physical contact I experienced 'cause I'm a brawler

. I also enjoyed seeing the crowd along the terrace with every breath I took. My swim split was about 1:20.

Suit yourself, but I just don't think starting on a riskier inside route is worth it if you're not in it to win it.

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Elite

3687

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-03 3:04 PM For those that have done this swim before where did you seed yourself and what was your expected/actual time? I am going for a sub 1:10 swim and expecting to be anywhere from 1:08 on a great day to 1:15 on a horrible day. I am planning on starting just right of the boat ramp and try to lead the line into the first turn buoy.

Unless I am misreading what you are saying by "lead the line" this will probably not happen. I am assuming you plan on staying on the front point of the swim with a 1:08-1:15. This will not happen. What will happen is you will be right in the middle of the most over aggressive elbow swingers and kickers in the entire lake and you will take a beating. I'm not saying this to discourage you or shoot your plan down, I say this from 2 years of experience of having the EXACT plan as you with the same hoped for results. I would stay just left of the boat ramp if you want a little extra breathing room for an extra 30 seconds or so. By staying left it gives you some time before all those to the right come crashing over to get to the buoy lines. I'm hoping by volunteering this year I will get an eagle eye view of the swim and figure out the perfect spot for next year

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Expert

924

Western WI

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

scoobysdad - 2010-08-07 9:22 AM I started to the shore side and rear of the group and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, I was almost disappointed how little physical contact I experienced 'cause I'm a brawler

. I also enjoyed seeing the crowd along the terrace with every breath I took. My swim split was about 1:20. Suit yourself, but I just don't think starting on a riskier inside route is worth it if you're not in it to win it.

I'm happy to hear this! This is my plan this year - TOTALLY different from last year. It's like an experiment! I'm looking forward to a less congested, less contact swim.

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Extreme Veteran

722

Madison-ish, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

Just to get another metric in here, a friend of mine wasn't the first one out of the water and swam ~55 in '08. Swimming is his strong point.

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Champion

7163

Verona WI--Ironman Bike Country!

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

scoobysdad - 2010-08-07 9:22 AM I started to the shore side and rear of the group and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, I was almost disappointed how little physical contact I experienced 'cause I'm a brawler

. I also enjoyed seeing the crowd along the terrace with every breath I took. My swim split was about 1:20. Suit yourself, but I just don't think starting on a riskier inside route is worth it if you're not in it to win it.

I like the sound of this! When you say rear of the group, what do you mean? like all the way in the rear? what did you do at the first turn? stay right?? My thought is to start right to avoid some of the mayem, I'm not a brawler at all.

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Master

1222

Lafayette, IN

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

We should form a group that wants to stay out of the fray, but take advantage of some drafting during the swim. It appears that I am amongst the slowest, but I would hang as long as I could.

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Expert

1238

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

I'm gonna go front and center and then use the "peloton effect" to PR the swim as all the fish go around me.

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Champion

6056

Menomonee Falls, WI

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

SSMinnow - 2010-08-08 11:54 AM

scoobysdad - 2010-08-07 9:22 AM I started to the shore side and rear of the group and had no problems whatsoever. In fact, I was almost disappointed how little physical contact I experienced 'cause I'm a brawler

. I also enjoyed seeing the crowd along the terrace with every breath I took. My swim split was about 1:20. Suit yourself, but I just don't think starting on a riskier inside route is worth it if you're not in it to win it.

I like the sound of this! When you say rear of the group, what do you mean? like all the way in the rear? what did you do at the first turn? stay right?? My thought is to start right to avoid some of the mayem, I'm not a brawler at all.

Force and I started together, about 25 yards to the right of and 25 yards behind the ski ramp. I know it sounds crazy, but at the time I reached the first turn buoy, I had clear sailing-- I had no problems rounding the buoy with maybe six others. I was probably 20 feet from the buoy and just held my ground, no problems. I actually had more contact on the second loop than on the first, especially after rounding the buoy to the swim exit.

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Expert

2355

Madison, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

mndiver - 2010-08-07 9:31 AM

chasingkona - 2010-08-03 3:04 PM For those that have done this swim before where did you seed yourself and what was your expected/actual time? I am going for a sub 1:10 swim and expecting to be anywhere from 1:08 on a great day to 1:15 on a horrible day. I am planning on starting just right of the boat ramp and try to lead the line into the first turn buoy.

Unless I am misreading what you are saying by "lead the line" this will probably not happen. I am assuming you plan on staying on the front point of the swim with a 1:08-1:15. This will not happen. What will happen is you will be right in the middle of the most over aggressive elbow swingers and kickers in the entire lake and you will take a beating. I'm not saying this to discourage you or shoot your plan down, I say this from 2 years of experience of having the EXACT plan as you with the same hoped for results. I would stay just left of the boat ramp if you want a little extra breathing room for an extra 30 seconds or so. By staying left it gives you some time before all those to the right come crashing over to get to the buoy lines. I'm hoping by volunteering this year I will get an eagle eye view of the swim and figure out the perfect spot for next year

Hmmm I figured all those people would start inside the boat ramp? Every race I have done this year except Racine, I have led out on the swim in my wave, that is not to say that I will be able to do this at Ironman, but I feel that if I sprint the first 200-300 yards at 1:30/100yd pace this is accomplishable?

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Elite

3491

In The Peleton

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

You do not want to be right on the buoys at the start if you are a 1:08 swimmer. In 2007 I planned to start just inside the buoys but due to a delay taking poop # 4 of the morning I didn't make it into the water until 6:57 or so. Started from about 20 feet off shore two or three people back and enjoyed a nice uneventful swim, going 1:09. Did the dame thing in 2009 and went 1:14 due to much less swim fitness. It was similarly uneventful.

Someone who is better at geometry than me can figure out the extra distance at the first buoy by starting by shore rather than close to the inside. Unless you are going under an hour, you will benefit from not getting the siht kicked by starting out there.

No matter how fast or slow you are there will be people to draft. After the first corner there are plenty of people around but not so many that you can't find clear water to swim in.

Good luck out there!

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Elite

3491

In The Peleton

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-10 9:12 PM

Hmmm I figured all those people would start inside the boat ramp? Every race I have done this year except Racine, I have led out on the swim in my wave, that is not to say that I will be able to do this at Ironman, but I feel that if I sprint the first 200-300 yards at 1:30/100yd pace this is accomplishable?

At 1:30 pace you will have everyone and their brother swimming on top of you at the start. My 1:08:52 swim averages out to a 1:26 pace. You would have to go much harder than that and you want to avoid spiking your heart rate when you still have 140.6 miles to go!

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Regular

67

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-10 9:12 PM

mndiver - 2010-08-07 9:31 AM

chasingkona - 2010-08-03 3:04 PM For those that have done this swim before where did you seed yourself and what was your expected/actual time? I am going for a sub 1:10 swim and expecting to be anywhere from 1:08 on a great day to 1:15 on a horrible day. I am planning on starting just right of the boat ramp and try to lead the line into the first turn buoy.

Unless I am misreading what you are saying by "lead the line" this will probably not happen. I am assuming you plan on staying on the front point of the swim with a 1:08-1:15. This will not happen. What will happen is you will be right in the middle of the most over aggressive elbow swingers and kickers in the entire lake and you will take a beating. I'm not saying this to discourage you or shoot your plan down, I say this from 2 years of experience of having the EXACT plan as you with the same hoped for results. I would stay just left of the boat ramp if you want a little extra breathing room for an extra 30 seconds or so. By staying left it gives you some time before all those to the right come crashing over to get to the buoy lines. I'm hoping by volunteering this year I will get an eagle eye view of the swim and figure out the perfect spot for next year

Hmmm I figured all those people would start inside the boat ramp? Every race I have done this year except Racine, I have led out on the swim in my wave, that is not to say that I will be able to do this at Ironman, but I feel that if I sprint the first 200-300 yards at 1:30/100yd pace this is accomplishable?

Sorry, wrong post.

Edited by lumpy 2010-08-11 6:11 AM

Elite

3687

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-10 9:12 PM

mndiver - 2010-08-07 9:31 AM

chasingkona - 2010-08-03 3:04 PM For those that have done this swim before where did you seed yourself and what was your expected/actual time? I am going for a sub 1:10 swim and expecting to be anywhere from 1:08 on a great day to 1:15 on a horrible day. I am planning on starting just right of the boat ramp and try to lead the line into the first turn buoy.

Unless I am misreading what you are saying by "lead the line" this will probably not happen. I am assuming you plan on staying on the front point of the swim with a 1:08-1:15. This will not happen. What will happen is you will be right in the middle of the most over aggressive elbow swingers and kickers in the entire lake and you will take a beating. I'm not saying this to discourage you or shoot your plan down, I say this from 2 years of experience of having the EXACT plan as you with the same hoped for results. I would stay just left of the boat ramp if you want a little extra breathing room for an extra 30 seconds or so. By staying left it gives you some time before all those to the right come crashing over to get to the buoy lines. I'm hoping by volunteering this year I will get an eagle eye view of the swim and figure out the perfect spot for next year

Hmmm I figured all those people would start inside the boat ramp? Every race I have done this year except Racine, I have led out on the swim in my wave, that is not to say that I will be able to do this at Ironman, but I feel that if I sprint the first 200-300 yards at 1:30/100yd pace this is accomplishable?

Looks like PeterAK said everything I had planned to say.

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Expert

2355

Madison, Wisconsin

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

well thanks for the help guys....where you you reccon i start then? Far right towards shore? a few rows back?

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Elite

3687

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

I think you should start right where you had planned to start. Part of the IM swim is getting the crap kicked out of you and living to tell about it Heck, it's Ironman. Who wants to back down now? Just go into it understanding what it will be like and prepare for the battle. In the midst of my swim in '08 I remember it being equal parts terror and exhileration. I miss that high.

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Expert

1238

Denver, Colorado

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

mndiver - 2010-08-11 8:24 AM

I think you should start right where you had planned to start. Part of the IM swim is getting the crap kicked out of you and living to tell about it Heck, it's Ironman. Who wants to back down now? Just go into it understanding what it will be like and prepare for the battle. In the midst of my swim in '08 I remember it being equal parts terror and exhileration. I miss that high.

High? My first ironman swim was the worst experience of all my life. People WILL try to drown you.

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Elite

3491

In The Peleton

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-11 8:51 AM well thanks for the help guys....where you you reccon i start then? Far right towards shore? a few rows back?

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Elite

3491

In The Peleton

Subject: RE: IMWI swim start seeding

chasingkona - 2010-08-11 8:51 AM well thanks for the help guys....where you you reccon i start then? Far right towards shore? a few rows back?

Yep, not far from shore, towards the front.

Edited by PeterAK 2010-08-11 11:05 AM

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IMWI swim start seeding

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