HITS--Ocala (Page 3)

I looked this up.  When I posted this the water temp was estimated to be 56.  If you follow the link there's a link to an explanation of how they get the temp.  They claim it's accurate to +- 4 degrees F.  I'll try to call the park tomorrow and see if they have some temps.

Water depth has been pretty low.  Honestly, you will probably be able to stand up for most of the course.  Some friends of mine did an OWS last weekend and noted that it's about as low as it was last year.  I remember tapping the bottom when I was pretty far out.

l did race in Orlando this past weekend and water was 63 on Friday afternoon. They announced 68 at race start, but no way. l had booties on so feet were fine. Hands went numb real quick. Face was miserable the whole time. 

Then again l am a wimp. l like 85 degree water. 

I emailed and asked if neoprene gloves were going to be allowed and was told yes as long as there was no webbing.

Thoughts on gloves also?

cold water is not bothering me, its 87 degree temp thats scaring me

I'm a slow swimmer too.  I emailed them awhile ago and asked about neoprene booties, and they said Yes to them also.  I have some Orca Hydro Booties (X-Small) that I've been swimming in and love them.  They fit tight and don't fill with water.  I also have a Barracuda Insulated swim cap that I will be wearing, with the appropriate race swim cap on top.  

Didn't know swim gloves would be allowed, anyone have reccommendations? I need all the warmth I can get.  

Oops.  I just realized I forgot to include the link for the water temp at lake Weir.  As I said before, this is an estimation based on ambient temperature.  There's an explanation of how they do it on the page.

http://www.fishingnotes.com/lakeinfo.php?id=5292

I'm still looking for a source of anyone that is actually taking temperatures.

I've bought earplugs, booties/socks and a couple of neoprene caps to see which ones I like the best.  I've read to sandwich the neoprene cap between 2 normal swim caps.  Haven't decided about gloves yet.  I did ask on my local tri club's forum for advice, and one of our well seasoned veterans/coaches chimed in with the below advice.

• Don't do a long warmup in really cold water, it will just get you cold. 
• Do a good dry land warmup to loosen up (dynamic movements, stretchcordz, etc.). 
• However, try to get in within a minute or two before the start of the race and get your face in the water.  The face is always what is the shocker for most people and getting used to that for just a moment or two before you start racing is important.
• If you are not allowed into the water until right as they are going to start the race, try to get to the water and splash some on your face and toss a couple handfuls down your wetsuit as this will help some.

dp

Besides all the cold water gear we've discussed, anything else unique to this or any long distance race I might not think to bring?

Earlier somewhere somebody mentioned a headlamp for those of us stuck running in the dark.  Never would have thought of that.

I looked at the weather and it looks like tonight is the end of the current cold front.  Highs in the 70s tomorrow, then it looks like highs around 80 and overnight lows mostly in the 50.  Looks like a fair amount of sun so hopefully it will warm the water up a bit.  Might get a little wet on Saturday.

10 Day Forecast

TonightMar 14

 

67^°FObserved High 3:45 pm

38^°F

Clear

Chance of precip:

0%

Wind:

N at 7 mph

Details

FriMar 15

 

73^°

44^°

Sunny

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

NNW at 8 mph

Details

SatMar 16

 

80^°

48^°

Sunny

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

SW at 10 mph

Details

SunMar 17

 

81^°

55^°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

SW at 7 mph

Details

MonMar 18

 

86^°

60^°

Mostly Sunny

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

SSW at 8 mph

Details

TueMar 19

 

83^°

49^°

Isolated T-Storms

Chance of rain:

30%

Wind:

NW at 9 mph

Details

WedMar 20

 

78^°

53^°

Sunny

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

ENE at 9 mph

Details

ThuMar 21

 

82^°

57^°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

SSE at 9 mph

Details

FriMar 22

 

83^°

57^°

Scattered T-Storms

Chance of rain:

40%

Wind:

SSE at 10 mph

Details

SatMar 23

 

83^°

58^°

Scattered T-Storms

Chance of rain:

60%

Wind:

SSE at 11 mph

I grew up four miles away on a different lake. You might see a gator at Carney Island when HITS isn't there, but I couldn't imagine a gator hanging out during the hubbub. I certainly won't worry about the swim with 600 people in the water. But, I personally wouldn't do an open water swim by myself, no matter how many times I've been told that they are more afraid of me than I am of them. I don't know if that helps or not. 

What's the old saying, "You don't have to be faster than the gator, just faster than the slowest swimmer."  

With that said, I'm doing the full and am pretty slow on top of that.  Tell my mom I love her.