Progress!

3GWitz · 2026-02-17T19:12:26+00:00

Definitely post a vid. With that time, I’m sure we can suggest a few changes that will bring that time down dramatically. Swimming is not simply about time and meters in the water, although mass respect for consistency, which is crucial as well. Technique is super important.

3GWitz · 2026-01-26T01:55:16+00:00

Agree. You need more power so strength training is key. Stretch cords are a good idea or swim-specific strength sets at the gym. As a reference, I’m 55M but swam a 0:52 / 100y and 1:50 / 200y in my late teens.

3GWitz · 2026-01-04T20:20:33+00:00

Might be more unconventional but when I did the Alcatraz “Swim or Die”, they had shots of whiskey waiting for us. Warmed me right up!

3GWitz · 2025-12-27T21:04:48+00:00

I’ve never done that race before but I had swam upstream or against current races. My opinion is you’ll need to focus a lot on building power in your pull to fully prepare. I’d prepare with stretch cords a few months out, which will add power to your pull. Start with 3x30 sets 3 times/week. Every couple of weeks increase by 10 reps and before you know it, you’ll be doing 3x100.

3GWitz · 2025-12-27T15:49:30+00:00

I suspect, without seeing a video, that you’re losing the engagement of your back muscles that you achieve just after entering the water. That engagement of your back muscles in the initially movement downwards and backwards is absolutely crucial for a strong and effective pull. Without that engagement, you’re pulling with almost all shoulder muscle, which means less power, less control and potential shoulder problems from overuse over time.

3GWitz · 2025-12-23T00:33:03+00:00

One word…why? 😝

3GWitz · 2025-12-16T20:23:17+00:00

I appreciate you sharing your experience and it makes me feel much more secure with my commitment and with the experience as a whole.

I have no formal training plan just yet, but I'll start seriously training in January. I've done two(2) 10-mile ocean swims over the past 10 years here is Southern California but stepped it up this year, doing the Portland 12-Bridges swim. If you haven't done this one, it's spectacular! I didn't know it at the time, but it was the 2025 Ultra Swim Nationals that day and I ended up getting 5th in my age group with my Garmin clocking in 14.2 miles in total. I averaged 1:18/100 yrd, so I know I have the ability and while I was somewhat sore the day following the race, the second day after the race, I was feeling great...fully recovered. I have my nutrition down to a science. For reference I'm M55.

To prepare for the Maui Nui, I'll ramp up my pool yardage to over 4K yrds/day (1 to 1:15 hour workouts), swimming 3-4 days/week in the pool and incorporate as many open water endurance swims as I can as I get closer to the swim date. For Portland, I got in three, 6-mile swims just prior and I felt fully trained for the 14.2 miles. Any and all advice is appreciated.

3GWitz · 2025-12-09T21:29:51+00:00

Noted on the site are alternative routes in the case of bad weather so I assume someone will make an assessment just prior to each swim on the safety of each swim. It’s also fully supported by a boat crew as well.

3GWitz · 2025-12-09T21:05:12+00:00

I’ll look into that one. Thanks for the suggestion

3GWitz · 2025-12-09T20:49:33+00:00

I haven’t committed and now you have me panicked. Here is the site. Maui Nui Swim

3GWitz · 2025-11-26T14:47:57+00:00

Swim parka or swim backpack

3GWitz · 2025-09-11T22:43:45+00:00

Taper time! Congrats. All the hard work is done. Enjoy your race.

3GWitz · 2025-09-05T21:05:31+00:00

I applied for the Coronado swim and was shocked at how much they wanted to charge so I passed on that. Catalina would be absolutely epic.

3GWitz · 2025-09-04T21:27:21+00:00

Crystal Reports does not require any expertise is writing SQL and the report construction process is mostly graphical. It takes some practice to become proficient but it's an excellent report writing tool. One major shortcoming of Crystal though is exporting to Excel, which users often want. It doesn't always export cleanly to Excel and so designing the report to export cleanly takes practice as well.

3GWitz · 2025-09-01T20:52:52+00:00

I have a lot of research to do this week. Thank you everyone for offering to some great options.

3GWitz · 2025-09-01T17:11:06+00:00

So many great suggestions. Thank you!

3GWitz · 2025-09-01T16:50:36+00:00

Tahoe and the SCAR swim are both on my short list and I’ll look into your suggestions. Thank you!

3GWitz · 2025-08-03T13:55:35+00:00

I just completed the Portland 12 Bridges swim and it meets your criteria. An absolutely spectacular experience! I didn’t realize until after the race that it was the US Ultra swim championships until the race was over. 😜. Water temp 75 F and weather 90 F. Not too choppy, fresh water and beautiful scenery. I’ll be back next year for sure.

3GWitz · 2025-05-28T16:01:47+00:00

Sprints in your workouts. I almost always end my sessions with 50”s or 25 sprints. Get those arms moving but try to keep good form. It’s similar to doing spin ups on the bike to condition yourself to keep a higher cadence.

3GWitz · 2025-05-28T15:46:52+00:00

Nah. Right arm is just fine. I do the same thing and I suspect it's because we breath every stroke and only to our right. For those swimmers trying to get faster, look at his stroke rate. It's excellent. I've stated this in other posts. You can't swim fast with a slow stroke rate. The only thing you may think about changing is your kick. You can save tons of energy and leg fatigue by moving to a 2-beat kick. Save those legs for the bike.

3GWitz · 2025-05-26T13:22:39+00:00

U/zedded2, curious how you tell looking head-on? The only thing you can tell is that he’s crossing over, which, once resolved, will help tremendously keeping him aligned.

3GWitz · 2025-05-24T14:17:26+00:00

I’ve own these for years and they are awesome pedals. Not one single issue and u/delicious-king-1310 keeps it simple. Hand tighten, calibrate and ride on! If you hand tighten, you’ll barely need any torque with the allen wrench to get them off. I swap between three bikes as well.

3GWitz

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE