General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011 Rss Feed  
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2010-12-23 6:11 AM

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Subject: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
Anyone else doing this event?  I just found out about it last night.  A friend of my wife's called me because I'm the only one she knows foolish enough to swim 3.1 miles across Tampa Bay on January 2nd.  Fortunately I've been on top of my swimming this month so I think I'm good to go. 

The water temperature is supposed to be in the mid to upper 50's.  I Don't own warm head gear for swimming though.  I do have a full XTerra wetsuit.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should get to keep my noggin warm? 

Also, it's a fund raiser, so I feel obligated to put my fund raising page out:  http://www.imathlete.com/donate/jaygallagher It is for injured Navy SEALS.  The theme of the swim is to simulate SEAL training conditions.

There is a 2 hour cut off time, but I'm hoping to do it in around 1:40.

So if anyone on here is doing it, let me know and we can meet up there.

Jay


2010-12-23 9:49 AM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
I think they could get more entrants if they extended the cut off time a little. Maybe 2.5 hour cut off time might intimidate a few less people.
2010-12-23 1:04 PM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
i am volenteering for it so i will see you guys there
2010-12-24 10:48 AM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011

If I were not on ER call I would do it.  You have to have your own support boat FYI..........have fun it looks like soemthing I would love to do.  They would get a lot more people as well if they didn't throw out a raise $1000 for our cause thing too. 

2010-12-27 6:10 AM
in reply to: #3260512

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
Less than a week now.  I think I'm ready.  I did a 5500 last Thursday and just took it easy for a 1:51:00.  I did a 3500 yesterday in 1:03, so I think I'm prepared as much as I can be for it.  My friend and I do have escort kayaks.  If nothing else I need one just to carry my hydration.  It's too long of a swim to go without drinking water.

1bare, I drive a 2000 Explorer with a 4 bike Yakama rack on the back.  I'm 5' 9" and wear a XTerra Vortex (yellow lettering).  I'll also have a Blueseventy neoprene skull cap.  If you see me, say hi.  It's always great to meet forum members.  I hope to have the skull cap by then.  It' on route via UPS right now.

I don't know why they make the cut off 2 hours, but I suspect it's to weed out swimmers who maybe shouldn't try it. 

The fund raising isn't required.  I set up a donations page http://www.imathlete.com/donate/jaygallagherwhen I registered and just put a donation in myself.  That's all the donation that's there right now, but I'm trying.  They aren't going to not let me swim because nobody wanted to donate to my site I don't think.  And I don't feel bad since I donated myself.

I think I'm ready for this, but I'm getting butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.  But I get that feeling before every event.  It's going to be an experience.

Jay
2010-12-27 8:10 AM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
If you need an extra kayaker let me know I can always bring mine out.


2010-12-28 2:00 PM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
ill keep an eye out i drive a forest green element with random tri stickers on the back.  i will be shiping gear and people back to there cars at the end so ask for shawn or look for the fatest tri guy there LOL    
2010-12-29 7:48 AM
in reply to: #3262551

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
Trinnas, there's a link on the tampabayfrogman.com page for volunteers.  You can try there, and that's great of you to consider doing it.

1bare, thanks!  My wife is going to be at the finish for me so thankfully I'll have that support there.  I have a feeling i'm not going to be in great shape coming out of the water, but I think I will make it in under the cut off time.

Oh, and you'll be the SECOND fastest tri guy there.  LOL!  I kid.  I kid.  I'm not fast.  Swimming is my best sport.  Biking second, and old women in walkers run faster than I do.  It's my winter focus.

I got my neoprene Blueseventy skull cap yesterday, so I'm happy about that arriving in time.  Now I'm KICKING myself for not ordering booties too.  The water temp was 51 yesterday.  My feet are going to freeze off.  I don't know of anywhere in the Tampa area that sells cold water swimming gear either.  It's not the sort of thing Sports Authority carries.  I'm in the Brandon area if anyone knows of a store.  I'm going to stop by a dive shop on my way home today to see what they have.

I found this site with marine tide and water temp info for Gandy bridge, and since that's where the start is, it should be pretty useful.  I hope the water temp keeps rising.  Last year the water was 58 for this event.  I'm liking the sound of that much more than 51.

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs/ofs_station.shtml?stname=Gandy%20Bridge&ofs=tb&stnid=8726641

Jay
2010-12-30 10:40 PM
in reply to: #3258683

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Subject: RE: Tampa Bay Frogman 5K Open Water Swim - 1/2/2011
Bill jackson over in panellis park might have it the have alot of swim and scuba gear
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