Was planning to partake in our first Aquathon of the season this evening – 1000m swim + 5k run. We’ve had a chilly May so the water is much colder than normal (56 degrees!). I have a full wetsuit but am concerned that this is too cold to manage. Thoughts?? Coldest water I’ve raced in is low 60s at Oceanside many years back - bit of a shock at first but was manageable. Not so sure about 56…
Swimming Sat and Sun in Lake Michigan and others have been out there for a few weeks, water has been 50 - 54 I think.
So you are fine.
I think you need to HTFU. At Oceanside I was on the verge of sweating. Just make sure you have neoprene cap. Bottom line, 56 shouldnt be too cold.
Last night at Night Moves…
First time going. Missed the exit. Turned around. Almost went the opposite way of the park. Run to registration. Run over to the field. Got my shoes ready. Throw the wetsuit on. Got zipped up. Step off the grass and onto the beach. Bang! There goes my wave. Running down the beach trying to put my cap on. Finally just walked as I already lost about 45secs to a minute.
They said the water was low-mid 50’s. Maybe I don’t have too much of a problem with really cold water, but it was certainly doable.
Did my face and feet feel really cold at times? Yeah, but at other times it all felt good.
Rev it up. You’ll be fine.
HTFU. Seriously. I’ve done one race this year that was warmer than that, but that’s only because it was in a pool.
600+ collegiate athletes swam in 54 degree water and then got out and rode in 30 mph winds and 50 degree air temperatures.
Also never come to california if you think 56 is cold.
First of all…I do not do well with cold. I get numb toes and fingers just shopping in the frozen food isle…but too cold? No way, I’ve done Lake Michigan swims in under 50 and been ok. I wear a neo cap which helps, raced Alcatraz last year and it was around 56, seemed to be ok for me and the other 1500 something athletes. I think you’ll be fine, just expect to run with numb feet, it feels weird but it works.
Was planning to partake in our first Aquathon of the season this evening – 1000m swim + 5k run. We’ve had a chilly May so the water is much colder than normal (56 degrees!). I have a full wetsuit but am concerned that this is too cold to manage. Thoughts?? Coldest water I’ve raced in is low 60s at Oceanside many years back - bit of a shock at first but was manageable. Not so sure about 56…
56 degrees is perfectly doable. That’s been the temperature pretty much every race I’ve done this year already–Wildflower was bathwater in comparison to others.
Expect your face to hate you for a little bit, your chest to be pretty tight right away and not to have any sensation in your feet/hands until midway through the bike. Warm up beforehand to overcome the chest/face reactions and wear two swim caps. You’ll be fine. Ear plugs are really good if you get disoriented from water on your inner ear. Warm up is critical.
Have fun!!!