I’m doing Cda for the first time this year and a 1:15 to 1:20 swimmer. I’ve heard from friends who did it last year that the swim start was really bunched together and alot of people got beat up pretty good. Any recommendations from those that have done the race? I’d rather wait a few minutes after the start to begin than get kicked in the head a bunch of times!
IF the swim is the same as last year, you might try lining up on the right hand side of the crowd (as you’re facing the water). I beat my swim partner by 4 minutes, he should’ve beat me by 2, and that was the key difference.
I 2nd the advice! Don’t get caught up in the middle or the first 500m will be brutal! The swim really spreads out after 500m, however the beginning is very crowded. I’m more concerned about the cold water than the crowded swim. We’ve had some very mild weather and the water is still a little chilly!
Good luck!
Two weeks until the fun begins!
I was told by one of the race officials that they’re well aware of the problems that occurred during the start of last year’s swim and they are going to spread out the starting line so it’s not as bunched up. Should be an improvement.
Thanks for all the information. I have a friend who is a 60 min swimmer who was kicked in the face and apparently cracked her jaw. She actually completed the bike but couldn’t take the jarring on the run and DNF’d.
Start on the left side next to the ‘wall’. You’ll know what I mean when you get there.
Barely got touched the whole swim. Started about 3 rows back.
Mike
Yeah, that’s my plan. I did read that they allowed right side swimmers to go well inside the “buoy line” as long as they made sure to round the first turn properly. Problem is, you’ll be converging with everyone else desperate to swim as short a course as possible.
Personally, I’d rather go a little wide, swim an extra 100 or so yards on the first circuit, than get kicked or punched. Last time I contested the first turn I got an elbow in the goggle and a black eye as a race souvenir.
Left side by the wall is what I’ll try next time. Last year was my first IM so not knowing what to do I went right down the middle. I’m a pretty big guy and can take care of myself so it turned out ok, but I don’t know how some of the small women survive that. I tried to be extra careful not to hit yellow caps. I had to launch a few guys off my back though. It seemed like most of the trouble was swimmers merging from the left (the concrete wall side). It was incredible, I just had to laugh to myself out there. It was a brawl for the first 1000 yds at least.
I’m going back next year if my wife lets me and I’m starting along the wall to the left. I loved the lake! The water is clean and it warmed up just right by race week. Hopefully it will warm up this year too.
have fun in cda, wish I were going.