First day of open water swimming in Maine

Today, I had my first open water swim of the season at Pine Point (Maine).  The Atlantic Ocean temperature was 43 degrees and the air temperature was 60. I acclimated to cold water without any difficulty....no signs of hypothermia.  My rule of thumb is to combine water temperature and air temperature. The combination must be 100 degrees or higher for me to swim without symptoms of hypothermia.  Every swimmers' body composition is different.  Some swimmers may need a combined temperature of 120 or they may develop hypothermia.  Wind chill is also a factor.  I will have double swim sessions three times a week (pool in the morning and ocean in the afternoon).  As the ocean temperature increases, I will extend the hours swimming in the ocean and decrease my pool swims.   The other three days I will swim for a couple of hours each day.  It's countdown to the English Channel....I can't wait :-)

English Channel Training

I will be swimming the English Channel in four months. My training is going very well and I feel encouraged with my progress.  Today I completed a five hour pool swim.  Tomorrow I will be swimming for six hours and cross train for one hour. During my last few months of training, I will not use pool toys.   Transitioning from pool to ocean will start within the next couple of weeks. The ocean temp in Maine is 40F degrees with a wind chill of 45...still a bit chilly for open water training.  During my transition period, I will swim at the pool for a few hours in the morning and then swim at the ocean for a short swim in the afternoon.  When the ocean temperature reaches 50 degrees, I will have longer swims in the ocean. My goal is to transition completely to the ocean by mid June when water temp averages 52 degrees. I train 5 to 6 days per week.  On days that I work as a nurse ( work 4 days per week), I will swim for one to two hours after work. In July I will swim a few long ocean swims of eight to ten hours.  On the other days I will swim shorter swims.  I include weight training as part of my program. Also, crew training will resume in a couple of months for final preparations.  Between swim training, work and family life, there isn't enough time in the day....but I'm loving it.  :-)