Whole host of issues, no real excuses. Did an early-season HIM and swam 35-36min. Something like that. Didn’t get back into the pool until about a month ago, maybe 12-15 times total. Basically just doing 400scy repeats, 1200-2000scy per outing, to recondition myself. Initially was swimming them in about 7:40. As of today doing them in about 6:35 at the fastest. Best workout was a couple days ago 5x400 on the 7:30, that’s with 25-35 seconds rest. Planning on doing 6x400 on the 7:30 tomorrow.
Am I totally screwed for an IM distance swim this weekend?
You might have some sore shoulders at the end of the 2.4 miles, but if your bike/run fitness is OK, you’ll be fine…My longest swim before IMAZ last year was 3000m and on my last HIM going into it I swam a 38 and did a 1:20 at IMAZ.
I’d be more worried about the other 85-90% of the day You have 2 hours and 20 minutes to do the swim…
You might have some sore shoulders at the end of the 2.4 miles, but if your bike/run fitness is OK, you’ll be fine…My longest swim before IMAZ last year was 3000m and on my last HIM going into it I swam a 38 and did a 1:20 at IMAZ.
I’d be more worried about the other 85-90% of the day
Thanks! I’m a bit less worried about the rest of the day. I’ve put in 3500 miles this year on the bike and 2000 miles running (spent most of my time training for ultras). Did a 5:05 bike at my last IM, 2:08 at my last HIM. Hoping for a good rest of the day if I can make it out of the water…
No. If ever there was a swim location where you could just paddle around and not worry about waves, wind, current, IMAZ is it. You’re probably not going to enjoy it, but you can doggy-paddle it in and still finish well within the cut-off time.
Whole host of issues, no real excuses. Did an early-season HIM and swam 35-36min. Something like that. Didn’t get back into the pool until about a month ago, maybe 12-15 times total. Basically just doing 400scy repeats, 1200-2000scy per outing, to recondition myself. Initially was swimming them in about 7:40. As of today doing them in about 6:35 at the fastest. Best workout was a couple days ago 5x400 on the 7:30, that’s with 25-35 seconds rest. Planning on doing 6x400 on the 7:30 tomorrow.
Am I totally screwed for an IM distance swim this weekend?
Enjoy your day at IMAZ. Soak it in, 26.2 will be a long walk.
You might have some sore shoulders at the end of the 2.4 miles, but if your bike/run fitness is OK, you’ll be fine…My longest swim before IMAZ last year was 3000m and on my last HIM going into it I swam a 38 and did a 1:20 at IMAZ.
I’d be more worried about the other 85-90% of the day
Thanks! I’m a bit less worried about the rest of the day. I’ve put in 3500 miles this year on the bike and 2000 miles running (spent most of my time training for ultras). Did a 5:05 bike at my last IM, 2:08 at my last HIM. Hoping for a good rest of the day if I can make it out of the water…
You will be fine. Bigger worry for u is getting around everyone (u will be passing a huge amount of bodies) safely on the bike leg. It will be a cluster fu…k
Didn’t get back into the pool until about a month ago, maybe 12-15 times total.
Am I totally screwed for an IM distance swim this weekend?
Not at all.
You probably won’t go under an hour but I know people who only swim in their practice races, so maybe twice a year, before an Ironman and they’ve come out in the 1:20s (and run 3:30).
Seed yourself towards the back and you’ll be just fine.
Have a great race!
That is not fair. You stole my training plan. As I like to say, the best thing about being a bad swimmer is I get to pass people most of the day. We will see about Sunday.
Didn’t get back into the pool until about a month ago, maybe 12-15 times total.
Am I totally screwed for an IM distance swim this weekend?
Not at all.
You probably won’t go under an hour but I know people who only swim in their practice races, so maybe twice a year, before an Ironman and they’ve come out in the 1:20s (and run 3:30).
Seed yourself towards the back and you’ll be just fine.
Have a great race!
Pretty much my MO last year and this year. Slow easy swim and then pace the bike properly and hammer the run.
Not ideal but not a problem. But the last time I approach a season like that. So tired of playing catch up.
Have you practiced in your wetsuit? If it’s a fullsuit and you haven’t been swimming in it, your shoulders are going to get tired, but you’ll probably come out in around 1:15 +/- 3min After your last big set yesterday or today or whenever it was, do a bit of swimming each day (< 1000) until race day. Go easy but steady on race day. Be well hydrated before the swim, you’re going to get depleted.
No, don’t “will do” ….and don’t swim 6X400 3 days out if you haven’t swam over 2k all year, your swim is likely set….Having said that I am not sure of your times based on SCY vs HIM time IE your not swimming HIM pace in 400 repeats (in yards!) so either you don’t come off the walls very well or the wetsuit really benefits you. The 5:05 bike vs 2:08 doesn’t match up either but perhaps you’ve been training more and the HIM time is from this year.
I would do an easy swim (with a bit of intensity) and then go down to the race sight and look for best starting position for your speed, i.e. try to figure out the best tactical execution within your abilities….look at some of the swim threads on here and re AZ and see if you can figure out where to start and find some decent feet. From the threads it doesn’t sound like many are swimming OW on sight.
Anyways I wouldn’t worry too much you’re likely around 1:20 or so.
No, don’t “will do” ….and don’t swim 6X400 3 days out if you haven’t swam over 2k all year, your swim is likely set….Having said that I am not sure of your times based on SCY vs HIM time IE your not swimming HIM pace in 400 repeats (in yards!) so either you don’t come off the walls very well or the wetsuit really benefits you. The 5:05 bike vs 2:08 doesn’t match up either but perhaps you’ve been training more and the HIM time is from this year.
I would do an easy swim (with a bit of intensity) and then go down to the race sight and look for best starting position for your speed, i.e. try to figure out the best tactical execution within your abilities….look at some of the swim threads on here and re AZ and see if you can figure out where to start and find some decent feet. From the threads it doesn’t sound like many are swimming OW on sight.
Anyways I wouldn’t worry too much you’re likely around 1:20 or so.
Maurice
Thanks a lot for the advice. Last IM was IMAZ 2012, so I’ve improved significantly since then. Basically 1.5 years of training between then and my last HIM.
You have 2 hours and 20 minutes to do the swim…