Comments on: Swim Report – Alcatraz Challenge – July 12, 2009 http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/ Adventures in Fitness Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:22:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: LukeM3 http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-435 LukeM3 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:54:50 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-435 So I'm sitting in my PJ bottoms, fleece top and bright orange and yellow skimpy tri suit waiting to be dropped off near Alcatraz a few weeks ago. A boat load of us are a bit nervous and striking up conversations to keep our nerves in check. Met all kinds of people from California, and felt oh so special because I came all the way from Illinois. Wouldn't you know it, 2 people away from me on the boat is Steve from Open Water Chicago. Small world. To prep for Alcatraz I swam (sans wet suit) in Lake Michigan in Highland Park. The water was 56-64 degrees in the 6-7 times I swam from late June until early July. The water at Alcatraz Challenge was 60 on 7/12. So temps aren't the issue. I jumped off the pier in HP to simulate the jump from the ferry at the start of the Alcatraz race. What I underestimated where the currents, waves, and foggy conditions. Oh and how can I forget all the salt water I snorted. So if a flabby old guy can make the swim (and follow up with the 7-mile run), surely you young whipper snappers in wet suits and neoprene caps can do it. You gotta swim Alcatraz--at least once. So I’m sitting in my PJ bottoms, fleece top and bright orange and yellow skimpy tri suit waiting to be dropped off near Alcatraz a few weeks ago. A boat load of us are a bit nervous and striking up conversations to keep our nerves in check. Met all kinds of people from California, and felt oh so special because I came all the way from Illinois. Wouldn’t you know it, 2 people away from me on the boat is Steve from Open Water Chicago. Small world.

To prep for Alcatraz I swam (sans wet suit) in Lake Michigan in Highland Park. The water was 56-64 degrees in the 6-7 times I swam from late June until early July. The water at Alcatraz Challenge was 60 on 7/12. So temps aren’t the issue. I jumped off the pier in HP to simulate the jump from the ferry at the start of the Alcatraz race. What I underestimated where the currents, waves, and foggy conditions. Oh and how can I forget all the salt water I snorted.

So if a flabby old guy can make the swim (and follow up with the 7-mile run), surely you young whipper snappers in wet suits and neoprene caps can do it.

You gotta swim Alcatraz–at least once.

]]> By: srhernan http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-434 srhernan Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:00:30 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-434 Congratulations John! Congratulations John!

]]> By: John S http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-433 John S Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:56:04 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-433 Great report. I am from NW Indiana and did the Alcatraz Challenge along with 7 family members. I agree that if you swim Lake Michigan you can easily do Alcatraz. Great report.
I am from NW Indiana and did the Alcatraz Challenge along with 7 family members. I agree that if you swim Lake Michigan you can easily do Alcatraz.

]]> By: George Rehmet http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-432 George Rehmet Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:44:17 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-432 The water gets colder by a few degrees as you get out into the Pacific Ocean and warmer as you head into the bay. Thanks for swimming in our event. Next year it's on July 18. The water gets colder by a few degrees as you get out into the Pacific Ocean and warmer as you head into the bay. Thanks for swimming in our event. Next year it’s on July 18.

]]> By: Johannes http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-431 Johannes Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:39:05 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-431 Nice post! I enjoyed the swim, too. And yeah, 62 F is pretty warm for Northern California. I think if you swim outside the GG bridge it should be a bit cooler. Nice post! I enjoyed the swim, too. And yeah, 62 F is pretty warm for Northern California. I think if you swim outside the GG bridge it should be a bit cooler.

]]> By: Carol http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Carol Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:32:36 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-430 OK, that was your view, what did Ann think of the swim? I have less than 3 months till my SF swim and alot more practice at Ladder 1. OK, that was your view, what did Ann think of the swim? I have less than 3 months till my SF swim and alot more practice at Ladder 1.

]]> By: diver dave http://openwaterchicago.com/2009/07/14/swim-report-alcatraz-challenge-july-12-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-429 diver dave Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:14:09 +0000 http://openwaterchicago.com/?p=2945#comment-429 WELL DID YOU SHAVE DOWN AND SWIM NAKED TO SHOW THEM HOW TOUGH THE LADDER #1 GANG IN CHICAGO IS???? DID YOU WIN A BIG TROPHY ? WELL DID YOU SHAVE DOWN AND SWIM NAKED TO SHOW THEM HOW TOUGH THE LADDER #1 GANG IN CHICAGO IS???? DID YOU WIN A BIG TROPHY ?

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