The Time is Now
Buddy up with like-minded locals to take your training to the next level at your open water spot. Approach these sessions with patience and an open mind, as repetition is necessary to begin building a higher tolerance for the cold.
With the foundation you’ve built, you’ll be steps above your competition and truly excited to take on your cold water race.
To start, recruit the same breathing technique you've been practicing during your cold showers: 1-2-3, 1-2-3. Keep it smooth and make it your sole focus as you inch into the water. Once knee deep, splash some water on your face. Your face is the body part most sensitive to temperature, and splashing water on it will provide physical stimulus that sends signals back to the body telling it to begin adapting to the change. Plus, it will wake you up and pump you up to get moving in the water. Keep this first session short and easy, and plan to stretch the sessions in length and intensity. Remember, this is a process.
If you have a specific swim plan for the week, accomplish that yardage in the pool so you can approach your time in the open water with fewer expectations, knowing that some days will be better than others. If your first session lasts only five minutes due to getting too cold, it’s okay and completely normal.
As you approach the month or two leading up to your first early season race, begin mapping out specific distances or courses you’d like to accomplish in the open water. With the foundation you’ve built, you’ll be steps above your competition and truly excited to take on your cold water race.
Sign up for a race.
