I’ve been swimming for about a year and have made pretty good improvements. I’ve been around water my whole life and while by no means a fast swimmer I am usually MOP coming out of the water. This weekend I did a 1 mile open water swim to mark my first open water swim ever 1 year ago. So over the course of the last year I have tons of yards under my belt, 2 Alcatraz swims and a handful of open water races /o wetsuits. My speed has increased significantly (I was over 5 minutes faster for the mile this year) but I still get pretty nervous about swimming open water swims without the rubber. As soon as the legs and arms start feeling dead, towards the end of the race, I start to get nervous. On Saturday I had to float on my back for a minute and regroup before I could power the last few hundred yards. Any suggestions on how to get a bit more confident?
I know, more open water swims but are there any other tricks…
First off, I think your concerns are well founded and you have a reasonable and healthy respect for what amounts to a dangerous environment: Open water.
Perhaps reflecting on your experience as an open water swimmer and acknowledging that you do have significant experience may help. Remember, you have done this before and you have only been getting stronger. That means that, despiote the inherent risk- which you acknowledge, you are still competent to do the swimming without a wetsuit.
Also, bear in mind- you aren’t alone. There are life guards and kayaks/jet skis/boats, etc. out there to assist you in the unlikely event there is a problem. It is actually more likely you will have to help someone with their problem.
Perhaps before the swim it may be worthwhile looking at the course, seeing where the lifeguards are and reviewing that in your mind. Also, focus on how much you have accomplished in the water and that you you are, in fact, an experienced open water swimmer.
Perhaps that mindset may improve your confidence. Your swimming sounds like it is already there!
Thanks Tom. I think analyzing the course and the lifeguard spots, as well as trusting in my ability will be very helpful. I re read some posts from the past about the same topic and realize a lot of competent swimmers get the nerves (and are as frustrated by them as I am).
With KKT this weekend I am going to concentrate on the beauty of the surroundings and how much I enjoy actually enjoy the act of swimming…I’m nervous but good, fired up nervous. Maybe excited is more like it.
I’ve found really concentrating on technique works for me. I try and concentrate on head position and pulling evenly or pulling all the way through better and I find that I get the double benefit of getting more efficiency right when I need it the most and it distracts me from the fact that my arms are toast and the shore is a hell of a long way away.
I started practicing without a wetsuit to get used to it. I was really scared the first couple of times but eventually got used to it. If you feel tired just remember to keep you chest pressed into the water, keep the feet high and take it easy, you will be fine with some practice