Great North Swim

[Finallyfreenearly]

Hello and help!

I’m doing my first endurance swim on Friday - 10k in Lake Windermere.

I’m a fairly strong swimmer (average 2:05/100m long distance) and recently did 8k in a marine lake, complete with 5ft eels, which I only found out about afterwards! But, despite being a seasoned cold water skins swimmer, I was freezing when I got out and am not sure I could have done another 2k.

I have a wetsuit but am worried that gloves and booties might slow me down. The cut off for the swim is 4 hours so I don’t have much wiggle room, factoring in refuelling breaks.

Do you experienced endurance swimmers have any tips please? I’m getting cold just thinking about it! Thanks :)

Hi, how did you get on? We were there on Saturday supporting a family member doing the Arla swim/run. It was a good day although a bit chaotic at times (and muddy) in the spectator village. I think by mid morning they were suggesting that wetsuits need not be worn, so hopefully on the Friday you were ok!
There seemed to be a lot of support on the lake so I hope you achieved the swim!

Thanks for the message!

It was bloody horrible! Cold, windy, raining, choppy. Two of our four team mates dropped out and I saw a few people leave before the end. The spectator bit was fine when we were there but I’m not surprised it got very muddy! I managed it but it took longer than expected - for everyone I have spoken to. We’ve signed up for next year obviously and will be keeping everything crossed for better conditions!

I had friends doing the swim/run - it seemed much more pleasant! Did they enjoy it?

Bloody well done OP!!