Any suggestions of how to refuel during an open water race.
6km. Wetsuit. Nothing provided by the race.
I have no experience at this distance, but am fit and ready.
Do swimmers take gels with them?
Where to keep them? And is refueling really necessary?
Ambient Temp 28C, water about 20C.
Im 66 and aiming for 1:40min.
Thanks.
enjoy! do you get through 1 hour and half hour workouts fine usually? you would prob be fine to get through this event without a gel but i would tuck a gel ‘up the leg’ of your wettie. hve the gel and then tuck the rubbish back in your wetsuit.
1 hour 40 if you are pushing the whole way would be border line, some would prefer a gel and others would be fine with out.
Yes swimmers do take gels - sometimes you see the elites have them tucked under the strap of their race suit if its a 10k race, or if its just a long casual training swim, some puts them in their swimmers or under the cap. many other permutations but these are the simplest.
Thank you for your insight. I am comfortable with the distance but not experienced in swimming with a pack. i am hoping to find a few faster swimmers to help pull me through. Then its the moment where you are just hangin on and you really feel the need for a gel. Stop replenish and loose the advantage of the others or press on. It’ll be a great race.
You got it! I
played a lot of water polo when I was younger so swimming in a pack is very fun for me. Hope it is for you too.
But try to find one or two others and just swim behind them near their feet not in a pack as such. Then to make sure you are sticking with them you can just look forward and check the water is still bubbly from their feet
Yes thats what I meant to say, on their feet in the bubbles!
I’d just try and carb load before the race. Try and get 100g before, but practice swimming on that level of carbs before the race. I wonder if Olympic 10k swimmers are fueling on their races?
They have a feed station.
how did the event go ? something you want to do more of ?
thank for check’in. race is june 21st
what do you think about buoyancy shorts under my wetsuit? Don’t think the race rules prohibit it. But if it helps I’ll give it a go!
I think that may be a bit unnecessary if you already have a wetsuit, but if others have tried it they will be able to let you know if that is a good option.
For a fresh water swim, if you are doing yours in a lake, and you really battle with sinking legs, it may be useful.
But if its in the ocean and salt water, the added buoyancy from the wet suit, the shorts and the salt water, would probably put a bit of strain on your lower back as your hips are forced to sit higher than could be comfortable.
I am more of a purist so swim suit, cap and goggles would be all I would want. I think I threw my wetsuit out a few weeks ago when I was going on a crazy cleaning streak.
In fact, swim suit and goggles is all I really like. Caps I could take or leave.
Thanks. Think I’ll just stick with the wetsuit.