i've never done any kind of endurance swimming, although in a casual sense i would say i am a strong swimmer.

i have about 4 weeks to train for this, and i really want to do it, but dont want to put myself into an unrealistic situation.

it's for charity, and if i don't finish, the money still goes to the cause. a kayaker would be paddling next to me and encouraging me as well as saving my *** if i start to drown.

i ride my bicycle about 100-120 miles per week at medium intensity and i do yoga 3 or 4 times per week. one of my jobs also involves heavy lifting and a lot of core strengthening activity. basically, i'm in great shape (already look fabulous in a speedo) but not really confident about swimming 4 miles in open water.

should i do it? i have time in my schedule to train intensely over the next 4 weeks.

swim ~3 miles in a pool before deciding. IMHO. i think you should train for it bc it sounds awesome.

Swim-City.com - Distance Swimming Made Easy ... and Smart

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I think that lifting a barbell is probably the single most important thing that women can do to improve their body image. Lifting heavy and feeling stronger and seeing how muscle mass changes your body is a phenomenal experience. - Tamara Cohen

That's what I would do, for sure. Grab some pool time and figure out how many laps make up a mile and just crank it out until you know or you don't.

I mean, the worst case is that you end up getting pulled into a kayak and everyone still gets their money, so you know.

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****phobia: The fear that a man will treat you the way that you treat women.

do swim training at a pool, yes.
and two weeks in you'll know if you can humanly build up the endurance to do a 4 mi.

also the ocean conditions are WAY important.
it's much much harder to swim in cold water, against a current, or in choppy waters/windy day. and i mean much, much harder.
and if you'll need a wetsuit, you should also get fitted for that and practice swimming in it during your training. or at bare minimum start practicing in a rash-guard in colder water.

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i am so vain. and yet, so masochistic. how can the two coexist?
-francesca woodman

1. post pics in the speedo
2. get in the pool and train

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