Open Water Swimming

Lake 32 was reportedly 14.6 degrees. Only if they stuck the thermometer up a duck's arse it was. Unlike last Thursday's swim (different lake) I got colder as the swim progressed. That was apparently 12 degrees and was comparitively tropical. Still, it was good fun, even if I was the slowest there.

BTW, 2 people were swimming without wetsuits. Only one of them had natural insulation.

I saw 1 chap who must have been mid-late 60s get out before I got in on Saturday in the tiniest speedos ...he'd been in 1hr  I got out after 36mins with wetsuit, 2 hats, gloves and sox and I was frozen + I have natural insulation!!

I'm up to just over an hour without a wetsuit at the moment, but I need to up my game.  Next weekend I intend to have a go at 6 hours.  Swimming for 6 hours shouldn't be a problem, but I'm not feeling too confident about the cold

caz.the water is colder than normal so that isn't helping........

I'm heading for my first river swim this year in the morning........

6hr swim? OMG! Respect Caz!

I almost hope that weather is warm up to Outlaw so I can swim without the wettie.

BTW yesterday the back of the neck of my suit almost turned/twisted making it uncomfortable/ruby but I was unable to fix it whilst swimming. Was I just really cack handed putting my suit on?

The Evil Pixie wrote (see)

I saw 1 chap who must have been mid-late 60s get out before I got in on Saturday in the tiniest speedos ...he'd been in 1hr  I got out after 36mins with wetsuit, 2 hats, gloves and sox and I was frozen + I have natural insulation!!

The temperature of the water currently means any man would only need teeny, tiny speedos. 

Anybody know what the temperature os like at Outlaw venue in Nottingham at the moment or don't I want to know

EP - it takes me about 20 minutes to put my wetsuit on and last time I still didn't get it right on the shoulders. Its all down to practice, I think (or maybe a bigger wetsuit???)

Am I right in thinking you can touch the bottom at Outlaw?

EP.........take you time with the wetsuit.and lots of bodyglide and i use loads of asdas own Ky jelly.......bit embarressing when you buy a pile in asdas in one go

yeah I take at least 10-15mins as it is!! I have previously done the neck too tight I think which in hindsight may have helped with the breathing panic attack issues I had last race.

Getting the damn thing off is also an issue! It sticks like glue to my biceps! Fat arms I think rather than muscles ... how much helping off with your wetsuit do they give you?

Seren, do you buy the strawberry flavoured version?

Oh yes, I remember. I accidentally discovered a tip for putting on the wetsuit. Forget the plastic bag on the feet. Use ordinary sport socks. They are just the right size!

Southern Snail wrote (see)

In the Blue - Did you get to Thorpe? Looked out for you but didnt see any pirates! Water wasn't too bad. Damn cold when you got out though

The person I was going with forgot his wetsuit so we ended up in a pool instead.  But I am there tonight with one new OW person and one with only one session.

I'm off to the river again tonight.  With the air temperature so much warmer I'm hoping I can stay in a bit longer than an hour

That was a lovely swim, 12 degrees in the lake and a dubious 400m loop which when measured with a garmin seems to be 500m.  Wish they had the 1500m loop open though.

About 2 miles done in about 1 hr 15 min including faffage time.  Water temperature was 14 degrees.  I would have liked to have stayed in for longer but it was beginning to get dark

EP are you heading to Market Bosworth tomorrow eve? My plan is to head there for 6.30 ish with husband and sis. Hopefully it will go to plan and we actually get there!

What's tomorrow's plan?

Market Bosworth 9 degrees this morning! We wimped out and are  headed off to the coast... think the sea will be warmer. Doesnt bode well for the tri next weekend though!

Erm, Ellie, the sea generally takes longer to warm up than inland waters, so good luck with that.

I'm off to the Nene again in a bit.  Another opportunity to embarass the locals by stripping off in a pub car park