I have just entered an open water swimming race. Eeeek!

[reallyneedmoresleep]

On holiday in the Lake District and saw the Swim Coniston event. What have I done? I swim like a floating ice berg

Are you a competent swimmer? Can you safely swim in open water? If yes, then go for it. Doesnt matter how slow or fast you go; just have fun!

If you're not a strong swimmer then doing an open water race really isnt the best plan and maybe it should be a goal for next year.

I can swim but am veeeerrry slow. Not worried about drowning just the embarrassment of coming last

I’ve done these before and they are not races as such. You just do it in your own time (there is a cut off though for the longer distances)
Enjoy!

Then go and be slow and enjoy! I do triathlons and swimming is my weakest discipline by far but the great thing about swimming is that there is honestly not that much difference between the very fastest and the very slowest, especially over a distance. People frequently pass me in the water and I just think yes, well done, off you go, I’ll see you again on the bike!!

Are you experienced in open water swimming? It's very different to pool swimming - you can't see the bottom so you need to "sight" when you breathe to ensure you're not veering off course into someone else or away from where you mean to be. You also need to get used to others in your space, and there's no handy wall to push off every 25/50m which makes it harder.

Slow is totally fine, but make sure you do some practice beforehand, and read up on technique.

@PinkyBrain

Then go and be slow and enjoy! I do triathlons and swimming is my weakest discipline by far but the great thing about swimming is that there is honestly not that much difference between the very fastest and the very slowest, especially over a distance. People frequently pass me in the water and I just think yes, well done, off you go, I’ll see you again on the bike!!

Argh, you're one of the folk that regularly overtake me! I'm usually within the first 3 women out of the water, then suffer the indignity of being overtaken a zillion times on the bike!

Don’t see it as a race, see it as a challenge. It’s also a fab opportunity to get experience in the water knowing that there is proper safety cover

Hey Havelock that’s a podium start at say long course or similar, don’t knock it!

I always find the bike is the bit that takes the time so say someone is 20mins quicker than me on the swim, I can easily find that on the bike and then by the time it gets to the run most people are on a shuffle anyway whereas my legs are still relatively fresh because I swim like a rock.

OP tip from someone who has tripped over their own feet on a few beaches, make sure you kick your legs like mad on the last few metres of the swim so you can still walk when it’s time to stand up!

Do you have a wetsuit with you? You need proof of open water swimming in 'skins' and a tow float if swimming without.

It's time trial format this year, so no mass start to contend with so that's one thing you don't have to worry about.

No wetsuits! I have tow floats with me and am having a lovely time practising in Rydal Water (lush!) and Derwentwater (bit creepy). It’s strange for me that the water is so clear but you still can’t see anything!
I’ve done a few sprint triathlons before so am used to open water events (sometimes without a wetsuit) but my swim is so slow. I’m often one of the last out of the water then do some catching up on the bike.
So much has been cancelled this year; when I saw this event I thought it would be a lovely thing for my family to do. I am worried though that I’ll be bobbing about at the back whilst everyone else zips ahead.
I really appreciate all your replies advice and encouragement. Thank you!

In every race that has ever been run or swum since the beginning of time OP there is always someone at the back.
Maybe this is just your turn!
If you're confident you can complete it, then that is the only thing.
I always feel anxious/embarrassed about finishing near the back of the field, but literally no-one cares except you. I never look at people who finish behind me and think 'god you're really shit how embarrassing' - and if anyone is thinking that then their views can be confidently ignored anyway.
My target for my only distance running race was to get around before the pick-up bus. And I succeeded.
Best of luck, hopefully it will be a lovely swim!

Ah, sounds like you have a bit more swimming experience than your first post suggested :-)

As it's a time trial format, nobody is going to be able to tell where you are, it's not like their normal events where last out the water means last

I'm so jealous! And it doesn't matter being last as long as you make the time cut off (and it sounds like you aren't actually that slow). There are always loads of breast strokers in these events

Is it part of the Great Swim series? If so, it's not a race. They send you off in groups, and they time you, but there's no way you can tell where you are in the pecking order.