help with strategy for mass ocean OWS (IMFL)

rah2774

hey... so I've swam in the ocean (really swimming, not just farting around) once.  Last year at IMFL... and it was glass.

I've done one "mass" swim start - at Chesapeake Man... and that probably had 500 people... total...

so, I need some help coming up with a strategy with respect to where to start -- do people really ask each other about projected times and try to seed themselves (per the EN protocol)?  Regardless, should I stay wide?  Should I just suck it up and deal with the lack of personal space and go for the full on washing mashine/group orgy that is the swim? 

I do plan to wear my goggles under my cap (have lost them before) - but have heard of some folks actually wearing a spare pair around their necks to be safe... is that necessary?  heck, Marianne lost her goggles and cap at IMWI... and I have contacts so absolutely no opening eyes under water for me... 

I just have no idea for strategy here.  Some races I get banged around and can swim out of it (in a normal AG race I'm usually leading hte middle of the packers and come out top third-ish)... but I can think of one race where I got beat up and it really put me in a funk (and unbelievably I still finished top-thirdish after treading water to calm down...)... so.  Help.

gilliatt

Becky-
You sound like you are getting typical race week nerves 1st off relax. You should reread RnP's guidance on IM execution for more exact guidance. Seed yourself about 2 minutes ahead of where you think you will swim and I wouldn't line up too wide. I think it is a bad place to be as everyone else had read race reports and knows what the washing machine is like. IMFL thins out pretty quickly.
Al Truscott gave some great guidance which was basically line up about 1/3 the way out from the inside buoy, I think he mentioned this in a podcast from CDA.
As for the second pair of gogles, I can't imagine losing the first pair esp since they are under your cap.
Swimming in the ocean is no big deal outside of a little salt water taste.
My one IM Swim insider tip is, swim it with a new pair of goggles meaning you buy them this week. It is about the only way I can get my lenses not to fog, plus you'll have a new pair next spring should you chose to not swim all winter.

Al Truscott

Thanks to Dan, I don't have to repeat my advice, which has always worked for me to find the least crowded area. A trick I use is to get in and warm up, making sure I look back at the beach to see where the masses are. I head in to the shore at the place they seem least dense!

As to where to line up, you don't mention your anticipated time. But go to last year's times, and see where your anticipated swim split puts you % wise in the pack. E.g, 66 minutes = 67th %ile (33 % will finish ahead of that time). Then look in front and in back and try to get into the right spot. So, if your time in 50th% ile, try to put yourself on the beach so that the same number of people are in front in you (in your immediate area) as behind you.

ht001

In my book, there is no better swim that the ocean swim at IMFL. You have clear water allowing you to watch shadows as well as the people throwing them on the surface, you can see the buoys pretty well, you can really spread out on the beach AND on the way back to shore you have great (tall) landmarks to site off of to make sure you're on track (especially when/if swells raise you above the surface level).

This swim does thin out nicely, maybe because the pack has so much space in the vast ocean. I never felt crowded or beat up in that swim (CDA was a different story). If you do get beat up, well, that's Ironman. You have to accept it and not let it get to you. Maybe come up with some mental queues to remind yourself that you're OK, and that "Hey cool, you're doing Ironman." When you get to PCB, if you need to just spend some time hangning out in the water to get comfortable with the saltiness and the waves and stuff, so that the people factor is the only thing that will be "new" on race morning.

FWIW - I've never heard of anyone wearing an extra set of goggles. Sure it's possible that you'll loose yours, but man, I'd say that's pretty unlikely.

And to second Dan's advice, relax. This is fun, remember!!? Nerves are expected, and they can be good, but avoid letting them take over and negate your preparedness and excitement.

Wiseman

Becky,
My thoughts....THAT DAY is your reward for lots of training, and, as someone told me before my first IM at IMFL, enjoy the swim because its the best part of the day ( except the finish !). Line up on either side opposite your breathe side, so you can sight the masses on breaths. Walk, don't run into the ocean. Take your time to start, what the hell does it matter if you give the field a minute and it keeps you calm, not beat up, heart rate down. One minute at the beginning can be the start of a great day. Forget second pair of goggles, overkill. Find some feet that swim straight at your pace and cruise for 2.4 miles. Count strokes and focus on form. You'll do great..
Have fun !

rah2774

thanks everyone! I'm feeling less anxious!

kurshing

I have never done a full IM, my only triathlons have been 3 70.3s, but, I tried a new strategy at Austin a few weeks ago. I lined up about 1/2 way out from the inside bouy and at the front. I didn't really intend to do it that way, but, man, it was great. I am a 34' swimmer on the 1.2, so, plenty of people passed me...but, no contact and no craziness!

Now, IM is different if for no other reason than volume of people, but, I would say that seeding yourself ahead of your projected time (which is a guess come race morning) IS a great step in the right direction.

Good luck...you are good to go!