Tried my hand at "feeding" today. Got up relatively early and decided to do a "long" swim. The plan was 5000 meters or so, covered in 3 reps of 30 minutes each. After each 30, I'd grab my water bottle and practice feeding while still progressing forward. The aim was much like Chloe Sutton, winner of the 10K at the USA Swimming National Open Water Championships, as seen in the picture below.
I wasn't anywhere close to Chloe. She spends approximately 2-3 seconds feeding during her 10K races. She finished this one in 1:59.18. (Holy crap--that's ludicrous speed!) My feeding was accomplished totally on my back, doing what Boy Scouts would call elementary backstroke. Unfortunately, the bottle I have is a Camelbak half-liter stainless steel bottle, the kind you have to bite and suck to get any water. In the 10K race Chloe kicked butt in, she was fed in a normal plastic water bottle, allowing gravity to assist. Today, I had to float on my back, put the bottle by my mouth but underwater, bite the tube and suck. I'm sure, had I had a plastic water bottle, I would have 'fed' as fast as Chloe. (Not!)
It was a lovely swim, otherwise. And I will be trying this feeding thing again in the future. When I do my 10K swim someday, I will need to know how to eat and drink during the 3.5 hours I estimate it will take me.
Isn't that 5k about 3000 lengths in your pool:) What about Power Gels (especially if you're feeding on your back anyways). They're waterproof and can fit in a pocket. I think they taste the best of all the gels - strawberry/banana is my favorite!
Posted by: The Accidental Carpenter | 18 June 2010 at 17:33
That's the next thing I have to practice. I'll have to stick them into the leg or waist of my suit though; no pockets!
Posted by: 10Kmarathonswim | 19 June 2010 at 00:22