Triathlon - Chicago: Open water swim partner?

Since this is primarily a bike forum, this is probably not the best place to post this, but I can't seem to find many swim forums out there. So I'm doing my first triathlon on July 23rd, and I've been going out to the Lake (Michigan) by myself, to practice open water swimming. I've only done it five times or so now, but I'm still not able to swim that far. I think I just need some encouragement and someone to swim with, someone to push and be pushed by.

I have been reading online about all kinds of horror stories (and happy stories, but the horror ones are more memorable) about people who can swim GREAT in pools, but go completely hysterical during the Triathlon. I'm going out to the lake tonight, and tomorrow morning, and again tomorrow night.. basically every morning and night until maybe July 20th... until I feel like I can actually do this 800m swim. I'm also training for the Chicago Accenture in August, but hopefully I'll be a lot more confident by then. I'm sure someone who frequents this forum lives in Chicago and goes out for early morning swims.. or late evening ones.. Anyone? I've been going to Ohio Street beach, but really I'll swim anywhere. I hope someone responds!

solo

when i get back into town we could meet and swim down at ohio...i usually swim there on the weekends....pool during the week

lilscotboy

That would be nice! When do you get back in town?

So I tried swimming again at Ohio last night, and it was so wavy that I got dizzy and disoriented... and I kept trying, but I couldn't go that far, meaning... I basically just stayed put. This is just too funny.. I have no idea how I'm going to do a triathlon, if I can't even swim 100 meters. Maybe I should just not do the Harbor Lights Tri. Maybe if I train in open water for the next six weeks, I'll feel confident enough about the Accenture one. This sucks, though!! Why is it so hard? I should be able to just psyche myself into believing I can do it, and pull through all the discomfort. Arrgh.

I'm sure some of you know what this all feels like...

Not sure if it helps or not, but try being as calm and relaxed as possible. Don't get too worked up about going fast. I'm slower in open water than in a pool, and I would guess a lot are who are not awesome swimmers. I often switch to backstroke to help catch my breath in the open water. Swim freestyle for a while then switch and work on really catching breath then switch back when you feel better. Good luck. Hopefully things get better for you and you get to do your first tri in a few days.

Well it turns out that I won't be doing the tri this weekend. There's no way. Every time I go out there... *sigh* well. Thanks anyway.

Every time you go out there, what?

OW is a big psychological demon. That's what internet forums are for - talking you up to rush foolhardily into things you're scared of. Like my Bude swim, which was hideous but Made A Man Of Me.

So what's the issue?

how did you get on? i did harbor lights today - my first tri. the swim was much less daunting than i imagined.

2nd time for me too, after last year in the crazy 100 deg heat, yesterday was a great race.

Beat last years time by 5 minutes, managed to run sub 8 minute miles for the first time in any race and averaged close to 22 on the bike.

i had fun