cold water help
96
Member
351 days
swimmer52 posted 9 weeks ago.
Squid Lid.
It's a neoprene cap, wetsuit material for your noggin, I wear one for the really cold swims (temps in the 50s)
"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right"
275
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798 days
fastdog5 posted 9 weeks ago.
Get in the water before the race & get acclimated, get over the initial shock of the cold water. It can make it hard to get your breath if you aren't ready for it.
40
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109 days
Trilosopher posted 9 weeks ago.
fastdog5 wrote:
Get in the water before the race & get acclimated, get over the initial shock of the cold water. It can make it hard to get your breath if you aren't ready for it.
+1. That initial shock can be brutal. If you can avoid it or lessen it with a pre-race dip, do so.
1190
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337 days
4914
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1716 days
beads1985 posted 9 weeks ago.
If you are not using a wetsuit, swim really, really fast!! and expect shrikage for about a week! ;-)
If you are wearing a wetsuit, get a pre-race warmup swim in and pee in you suit.
It will at least warm up your legs ;-)
Nothing to it, but to do it
194
Member
1148 days
Ultrarunner posted 9 weeks ago.
I have the same problem. I expect my swim to be about 65 degrees. For some that may not be much but it seems to take my breath away at 68 degrees, at least for a little while. This may sound strange but something that has helped me are cold showers. Let the water hit your face and head and turn down the temp so it is full cold and practice breathing and relaxing. The more positive experiences you have with being able to relax the more your body is bale to adapt to the cold.
Shrinkage is an issue though, so timing is important when spouces are in the house :)
202
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1181 days
ht001 posted 9 weeks ago.
+1 on the "squid lid" (love that term!) if you'll be in the water for a long time and if it is under 60 degrees, and the pre race acclimation for any temp or distance, oh, and on the peeing as well! Of course, your reaction will depend on how cold it actually is, and your general body composition, and the overall impact will also depend on how long you'll be in the water. If this is an 800m sprint swim and the water is 65 degrees or so you might be able to just get in there and swim.
Getting acclimated before hand will be key. That shock of cold can literally take your breath away and if you don't go through that adjustment before the gun you could freak out pretty good when it does.
Oh yeah, and don't be alarmed if you don't feel your feet for most of the bike ride after the cold swim. That's normal.
55
Member
294 days
cogirl3 posted 9 weeks ago.
If its REALLY cold, see about getting some neoprene type booties to wear on the swim. They let us wear them in Burley, and I regret not doing it. Since your feet and your hands, and head will get the coldest, most important to try to protect those. 1+ on the neoprene cap mentioned above.
464
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143 days
trigirltina2 posted 9 weeks ago.
If you cannot get a squid lid. Two swim caps. The race one on top.
2437
Member
1321 days
Triguy98 posted 9 weeks ago.
I am a Florida boy. Never swam in water colder than 70 degrees before. Until June came and I jumped into San Francisco Bay for the Escape From Alcatraz. The initial jump in shock was COLD, but after a few strokes (or 50) I was fine. Full wetsuit, tri shorts and jersey, neoprene cap with the race issued swim cap over it, ear plugs (life saver), and swim booties. I was actually very toasty by halfway through the race. that was 55 degree water.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
4482
Member
1634 days
kylie posted 9 weeks ago.
Triguy98 wrote:
I am a Florida boy. Never swam in water colder than 70 degrees before. Until June came and I jumped into San Francisco Bay for the Escape From Alcatraz. The initial jump in shock was COLD, but after a few strokes (or 50) I was fine. Full wetsuit, tri shorts and jersey, neoprene cap with the race issued swim cap over it, ear plugs (life saver), and swim booties. I was actually very toasty by halfway through the race. that was 55 degree water.
But the real question: did you pee in the wetsuit? ;)
22
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98 days
Nathan_m posted 9 weeks ago.
thanks for all the advice, i will make sure to really hydrate myself before the race so my pee will keep me even warmer lol. I think i'll try that doubling up on the swim caps. And i'll jump in the water before hand to get in some pre-race shrinkage
2437
Member
1321 days
Triguy98 posted 8 weeks ago.
kylie wrote:
But the real question: did you pee in the wetsuit? ;)
I would answer, but Mike wouldnt be happy with my response :D
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
301
Member
158 days
jonovision_man posted 8 weeks ago.
Peeing in a wetsuit is harder than it sounds. 30 years of not peeing myself was hard to overcome. DON'T practice in the pool... but I'm just sayin'....
jono
4482
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1634 days
kylie posted 8 weeks ago.
Yeah, I think it was easier on the bike than the swim.
Awww my boys share pee space :-P
2437
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1321 days
Triguy98 posted 8 weeks ago.
I did have to let up on the intensity a little, but I've never had to pee on the bike. I can do it on the run pretty easy, tho.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
So my last tri of the season is coming up this weekend. I expect the water to be very cold seeeing as how i'm in southwestern Ontario. I haven't used a wetsuit before, so far just my speedo shorts which seemed fine. This weekend as i said before the water is going to be quite chilly. Is there any techniques other than the obvious ...to swim... to help me out, any advice is greatly appreciated .