I have a swim situation - WWYD?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I'm going to explain this the best I can, but I'm sort of drowning in scenarios and it's become a bit confusing.  I'm technically on week 6 of my 16-week training plan, but I'm somehow a whole week ahead (i.e. I did the week 6 Saturday workout last weekend).  I did it on purpose to allow for an accidental weekend off and/or to reschedule a 5k weekend to one when my BFFs are going to be here to visit, when it's doubtful I'll do any significant swim on Sat or Sun.  ANYHOW.  

These upcoming weekends I'm supposed to do (in order) 5k, 12k, 5k, 14k.  Except that the week I'm currently scheduled to do the 12k is Memorial Day weekend.  It's not a huge deal, except that I don't feel particularly safe going out onto a lake with high-speed boats on Memorial Day weekend to swim for 5 hours.  Even if I started early in the morning, like 6 or 7am, I probably wouldn't be out of the lake before the boat traffic started piling up and last week was starting to be pretty terrifying by the time I was done.

We have other lakes around here that do not allow boats or do not allow boats over 10mph, which seems safer, but most of those are *way* too cold yet for swimming of a prolonged nature (think like 55 degrees or less).  So I have three options, as far as I can tell.  Which would you do (or do you have a better solution?):

1) Go out to the high-speed boat lake at 6am and take my chances.
2) Go to a different lake altogether and swim laps in the no-boats area (I think it's about a mile lap, so 7.5-ish total laps of the lake.)
3) Try to reschedule the swim to a different weekend/re-arrange my training plan (this would be somewhat challenging since I've got a girls' weekend the next weekend and then the 14k).

Thoughts?

[Mushe]

Can your H come and kayak near you?

[wawa]

so is #2 one of the cold lakes, or is the short loop option also a reasonable temp?

If it's a reasonable temp, then definitely #2. I barely feel comfortable in my own powerboat on the water over holiday weekends, so I can't imagine SWIMMING. You get a lot of yahoos out there. Laps might get boring, but...7 laps isn't tooooo bad. I mean...certainly better than a pool, right?

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 20, 2016 8:49:04 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Can your H come and kayak near you?

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 20, 2016 9:10:17 GMT -5 wawa said:

so is #2 one of the cold lakes, or is the short loop option also a reasonable temp?

If it's a reasonable temp, then definitely #2. I barely feel comfortable in my own powerboat on the water over holiday weekends, so I can't imagine SWIMMING. You get a lot of yahoos out there. Laps might get boring, but...7 laps isn't tooooo bad. I mean...certainly better than a pool, right?

No, it's not cold.  I mean, I guess a lot depends on your definition of cold.  LOL  It's up to 63 now, so by next weekend will probably be over 65, which is my threshold for long swims.  (I think.)

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 20, 2016 8:42:18 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I like option 2 the best, because it gives you an out of things get weird for whatever reason. I know it'll probably be boring, but the laps can also help you see where your splits are for your long distance.

Andplusalso, you're a freaking rockstar.

The out is actually what worries me.  I'm concerned I'll get in my own head and somehow wind up bailing early on the swim.  Even on a 2 mile race, doing a second lap is always a huge mental battle for me. 

[wawa]

May 20, 2016 9:15:21 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 8:42:18 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I like option 2 the best, because it gives you an out of things get weird for whatever reason. I know it'll probably be boring, but the laps can also help you see where your splits are for your long distance.

Andplusalso, you're a freaking rockstar.

The out is actually what worries me.  I'm concerned I'll get in my own head and somehow wind up bailing early on the swim.  Even on a 2 mile race, doing a second lap is always a huge mental battle for me. 

So...good mental training?  force yourself to work on that. 

With your answer on the temp question I'm definitely voting #2.  Not that I'm somebody who knows SHIT about OWS training, but I do spend a fair amount of time in a boat and I'd be legit worried for you with Option 1 and Option 3 just sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

[wawa]

May 20, 2016 9:12:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 8:49:04 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Can your H come and kayak near you?

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

JET SKIERS ARE THE WORST!  Especially around the holidays when you get some 20 year old douchnozzle who's visiting his uncle bob and takes uncle bob's jet ski out and DOES NOT UNDERSTAND how boats work.  (i.e. they don't have brakes you asshole!)  They ignore speed limits, they cut people off, they get too close to swimmers and kayakers in the water, etc etc.  If there are a ton of jet skis out we pretty much won't do anything that requires being able to maneuver (like tubing/water skiiing) They're too unpredictable and it makes it really dangerous.

(sorry I'm just gonna use your thread to randomly talk about boat crap now apparently.  we haven't been able to get out once yet this year because of this damn cold wet weather over here and it's driving me nuts.)

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 20, 2016 9:24:04 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 20, 2016 9:12:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

JET SKIERS ARE THE WORST!  Especially around the holidays when you get some 20 year old douchnozzle who's visiting his uncle bob and takes uncle bob's jet ski out and DOES NOT UNDERSTAND how boats work.  (i.e. they don't have brakes you asshole!)  They ignore speed limits, they cut people off, they get too close to swimmers and kayakers in the water, etc etc.  If there are a ton of jet skis out we pretty much won't do anything that requires being able to maneuver (like tubing/water skiiing) They're too unpredictable and it makes it really dangerous.

(sorry I'm just gonna use your thread to randomly talk about boat crap now apparently.  we haven't been able to get out once yet this year because of this damn cold wet weather over here and it's driving me nuts.)

Yes.  We had a near-incident with a 20-something on a jet ski last weekend, which brought on the issues I'm concerned with now.  It was followed shortly by a boat *just* on the other side of the 5mph buoys going at LEAST 40 (it was one of those monster speedboats with the engine/exhaust that sticks up like a dragster's engine) that nearly drowned me with it's wake.  Literally.  I had to stop and cough/gag for at least 5 minutes because of the amount of water I unexpectedly took in.

[juliabug]

May 20, 2016 9:15:21 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 8:42:18 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I like option 2 the best, because it gives you an out of things get weird for whatever reason. I know it'll probably be boring, but the laps can also help you see where your splits are for your long distance.

Andplusalso, you're a freaking rockstar.

The out is actually what worries me.  I'm concerned I'll get in my own head and somehow wind up bailing early on the swim.  Even on a 2 mile race, doing a second lap is always a huge mental battle for me. 

In this case, I like option 2 even better. Call it mental training as much as physical training. Be safe!

[wawa]

May 20, 2016 9:27:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 9:24:04 GMT -5 wawa said:

JET SKIERS ARE THE WORST!  Especially around the holidays when you get some 20 year old douchnozzle who's visiting his uncle bob and takes uncle bob's jet ski out and DOES NOT UNDERSTAND how boats work.  (i.e. they don't have brakes you asshole!)  They ignore speed limits, they cut people off, they get too close to swimmers and kayakers in the water, etc etc.  If there are a ton of jet skis out we pretty much won't do anything that requires being able to maneuver (like tubing/water skiiing) They're too unpredictable and it makes it really dangerous.

(sorry I'm just gonna use your thread to randomly talk about boat crap now apparently.  we haven't been able to get out once yet this year because of this damn cold wet weather over here and it's driving me nuts.)

Yes.  We had a near-incident with a 20-something on a jet ski last weekend, which brought on the issues I'm concerned with now.  It was followed shortly by a boat *just* on the other side of the 5mph buoys going at LEAST 40 (it was one of those monster speedboats with the engine/exhaust that sticks up like a dragster's engine) that nearly drowned me with it's wake.  Literally.  I had to stop and cough/gag for at least 5 minutes because of the amount of water I unexpectedly took in.

UUUUGGGH.  I hate those things.  My favorite thing about boating is how peaceful it can be out on the water.  We like to find somewhere pretty and just turn off the boat and anchor and just float around, listen to seagulls, swim, eat a sandwich, etc.  And then one of those bastards goes by. 

[bostonmichelle]

I would go with option 2. It will definitely help your mental training but I think it's better than the other options.

[CallingAllAngels]

I would absolutely not do number 1.

Number two sounds best, given that your schedule doesn't really allow changing your plan. I know it's boring but think of how proud you will be when it's done!

[Mushe]

May 20, 2016 9:12:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 8:49:04 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Can your H come and kayak near you?

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

Ughhhh, I'm so sorry! I think it's the same here.

I'd do the loops, then.

[emilyj]

Given all your updates, I'd go with #2. The others just sound like too big of a risk.

I assume R will still kayak next to you? Can you make him sing you songs and keep you entertained? :-p

[mrs.jacinthe]

May 20, 2016 10:27:00 GMT -5 Mushe said:

May 20, 2016 9:12:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

Ughhhh, I'm so sorry! I think it's the same here.

I'd do the loops, then.

Last time was close to you, I think. It's a whole lake of crazies and fools.

[Mushe]

May 20, 2016 11:00:37 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 10:27:00 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Ughhhh, I'm so sorry! I think it's the same here.

I'd do the loops, then.

Last time was close to you, I think. It's a whole lake of crazies and fools.

Gah! I think there's some pent up jackassery, since the lake was useless last year.

[hurricanedrunk]

Definitely #2. I'm a big fan of safety first and Memorial Day will be a cluster on the water.

Also you are a total badass! Do you normally do this type of OWS by yourself or does your H join in the kayak?

[katinthehat]

Can you do option 2b? Go out and get in some distance but turn back before it gets too crowded and then swim laps in the no boat area to make up the difference?

[Brit]

May 20, 2016 9:12:20 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

May 20, 2016 8:49:04 GMT -5 Mushe said:

Can your H come and kayak near you?

He would.  He did last time, too.  It was still terrifying because even though we were well inside the 5mph buoys, it would seem that on our local large lake, folks don't really take that speed limit seriously.  At all.  Especially jet-skiiers.

No advice, but I grew up on the largest and most popular lake in the state I grew up in; I totally get where you are coming from. Just stay safe above anything else! It can be crazy out there.