Open Water Swimming

In 8 days, Allison heads to San Francisco, California, to race in the 16th annual Envirosports Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim. She’ll jump 6 feet off a boat and get to tread water until the gun goes off for the in-water start, where she’ll fight the current, leopard sharks, 54-degree water, and 800 others in a battle to safely arrive on the shore at Aquatic Park 1.5 miles away.

From the official entrant letter on the Sharkfest website:
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SWIM FOR NOVICES OR THOSE UNPREPARED TO SPEND UP TO ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES IN 60-DEGREE WATER. If your time for a mile in the pool (72 lengths or 36 laps in a 25-yard pool) is longer than 40 minutes, we do not recommend that you attempt this swim.

Back to the first person. Ever since I heard about this race (last summer?) from teammates who’d done it in 2006 and 2007, I thought, “I’m going to do that someday.” And that day is June 28, 2008. Seven months ago, injured, I signed up for this race. Now, after several solid months of masters workouts combined with about a dozen open water swims this season (and a full recovery from the injury), I’m ready to take on the waters of the San Francisco Bay.

Leading up to the swim, I’m going to be posting open water tips, strategies, and videos mostly (but not entirely) specific to Alcatraz. So check back every day to learn something new about this crazy sport and event.

All in all, I’m pretty psyched. (And psycho? You decide.)