Unsure if I should try

[Stacey McGlinchy]

Hello,   I have done a bunch of mile swims in the ocean this year and a bunch of sprint triatholons. I currently swim about 2200 meters twice a week in a pool with a local masters group.  I have swam all my life.  If I do the swim I would wear a wet suit but I am a little intimidated.  How much do people currently train for the 3 mile race?  What is the current like?  Do we get in the water in the a.m. or at noon?  Sorry for all the quesitons.  I would LOVE to do this swim-- just not sure about the the 3 miles.  Any words of wisdom?  Thanks, Stacey

[TNTCoachMatt]

Stacey,

I think from your post that you are probably in fine shape for this event.  I am one of 3 coaches who have been training our TNT swimmers.  They have been swimming 2miles, aprox 3000m, at our weekend trainings and swimming on their own during the week.  I am sure that the 2200m that you are swimming with the USMS team is quality swimming and that is what is important.

The wetsuit is nice because it offers buoyancy which makes swimming a little easier and warmth if you are a person who has trouble with that; however the river is very warm right now.   The average depth of the Hudson is actually only like 20ft.  The main channel is deeper but only about 200ft or so.  The Hudson is a shallow river so it warms quickly.  Right now its in the High 70s low 80s.  It will be very warm next weekend too.

For the 3mile swim across the river we will be getting in at Nyack at noon.  It will be a deep water start from the dock in Nyack.  There is a map of the route posted on the main page of this site right now, it's in the left colum.  We are going to take off swimming south at first catching the tail end of the south bound current, do our main crossing when the tide has gone slack then ride the north current into the finish.  That is the plan and we have been out checking the river and things should be great.

Don't be nervous about the 3miles.  Most of the challenge is a mental one.  But it sounds like you have been doing good training and it will be an amazing day.  There will be hundreds of people there, a brand new one mile swim, even an exhibition water polo tournament going on between swims.  

If you have other specific concerns please let me know.  I think you will really enjoy the swim and will do fantastic.  See you next you weekend!

[lmjTtown]

It sounds to me like you won't have any problems with the swim. I will be doing it for the eight time this year (I'm 54).  The first time I did it, I was a dedicated lap swimmer, swimming six times a week, a mile each time.  I was petrified of trying three miles in open water.  I never tried to swim more than three miles in a pool even when I committed to doing the river swim.  You are more buoyant in the water so somehow (aside from currents which can be tough) to me, at least, it seems easier. Plus adrenalin keeps you going. And, being out in the river, looking up at the bridge is an awesome experience you'll never forget.  So give it a try, you won't regret it. And, remember the event is not about racing or proving something to yourself, it is about fund raising for two charities.