MIMS Tracking Page

Here is the tracking map: 

Cathi forgot to start the tracker until half way up the East River.  Sorry friends!  Thankful for folks who called to ask
her to get that tracker turned on!

How far is it?

Circumnavigation of Manhattan Island for this race starts at the south end at Battery Park, and heads counter clockwise.  Starting with the East River, up to the Harlem River, continuing up near the northern end of the island, and then down the Hudson River southerly back to Battery Park.  

The total distance is approximately 28.5 miles.  However this is a swim that is current assisted.  So the swim cannot be compared to a 28.5 mile swim in a lake with no current.  The race is timed to use the tide and currents to the advantage of the swimmer. 

How much did it cost?

• Swim: When I submitted my application, NYCSwim requires full payment up front.  It was $2,550.
• Airfare: I paid for Cathi, Lucy and myself to fly from SLC to Newark, NJ: $432 per round trip ticket
• Hotel: One night in Manhattan:  $329, One night in Newark: a little over $100

What did you have to do to qualify to enter this race?

Given the demand by many marathon swimmers worldwide, and the lack of opportunities to swim this race, as well as to ensure that all swimmers are experienced and will be safe, this race requires participants to qualify.  In my case, the English Channel and Catalina Channel crossings both satisfied the qualification.  It isn't required to have already swum EC or CC, but it certainly make a statement.

What was the water quality like?

From the first moment I jumped in at the start, the water tasted a little like diesel fuel.  It resumed all the way up the East River, but in the Harlem it seemed to dissipate to an almost neutral taste.  Then in the Harlem it resumed back to a diesel taste.

The water was so rough in the Hudson that I ended up drinking probably a quart of river water accidentally.  I had a little sore throat that night, but the next day was fine.  Never got sick at all. There was some rain the day before, and had received a last minute email from NYCSwim announcing that the water quality was just beyond the threshold of what is normal and that the quality was compromised, saying that we had an opportunity to back out if we wanted.  Heck NO!  I'm all in baby!  

The water quality was just fine.  I wouldn't hesitate to swim there on a regular basis if this were my turf. 

How did it compare to English Channel or Catalina Channel?

For reference, here are my Catalina Channel FAQ and English Channel FAQ pages.  I will provide an update here once I swim MIMS.  But keep in mind that the same swim course is difference one day to the next, so when I compare my swims, it's from my own perspective on the given days I swam.  They likely would all be completely different had I swam them on different days.

The wind picked up pretty strong in the Hudson, and it was ROUGH.  The whole distance down the Hudson for me was simply humbling.  3.5 hours of getting the crap beat out of me and rushing to the finish due to a miscommunication between me and my crew and I was swimming scared.  Due to my experience in the Hudson, MIMS was the toughest swim for me than both the English Channel and Catalina Channel.  Read my detailed MIMS report for more information.   

Why is MIMS doing three fields of swimmers instead of just one like years past?

Being a race director myself I totally understand the complexities of organizing a race (not that any of the Utah races pale in comparison to the complexity of MIMS, I can only imagine the overwhelming nature of organizing and executing something like this), the number of volunteers needed for a very large field of swimmers is just not available.  From online meetings with NYCSwim, it was revealed that this will be the last year that this will be a race with more than 5 swimmers.  The future of MIMS is headed in the direction of providing solos like EC and CC.  No more humongous fields of swimmers in a race format.  

Which doesn't bother me in the slightest.  In marathon swimming a majority of swimmers care very little on how fast they went.  If they went fast, great, that's a bonus, but the big thing is to finish.  

What's next for you?

For now, I'm focused on being a coach for my kids.  They've been neglected as potential swimmers and I am determined to change that.  I will be coaching them early in the mornings and helping them to get to the point where they can decide whether to pursue swimming in a serious and competitive manner, or be satisfied with just being able to get across to the other side of the pool.  

I also hope to be the best support I can be for Chad Starks, who is planning to swim the English Channel July 2015.  I'm looking forward to being on his crew and helping him conquer the channel and live his own dreams.   Also supporting Michele Poole in her Anacapa Crossing in September 2014.

Some other swims that I have on my bucket list that I'd like to swim (in no particular order), starting in 2016:

• Strait of Gibraltar (Anticipating this with Joelle in 2016)

• Lake Tahoe Length Solo

• North Channel (2017)

• 2nd Ice Mile (2015 attempt?)

Getting a send off from my GSL

This morning I met Goody, Lisa and Liz out at the Marina at 0600.  Lisa and I swam a horned Gridley Strait.  The water was pure glass.  Not even a ripple.  It was awesome.  I could see the bottom clearly about half the time.   By far my favorite training swim this year.

A little worried about my shoulder.  It's not a muscle or tendon.  I went to see Dr. Richards for it a few months back and he said I have a bony end on my Clavical that is enlarged and needs to be shaved off.  It's not a big surgery, he said he had it done on himself.  It's getting painful again.  I have an appointment to see him tomorrow morning.  It's just too painful now and I only put 1 1/2 hours on it this morning. This will be my last BIG swim of the year, and the rest of the swims this year are frosting.  I'm probably gonna need a cortizone shot for the time being, but when I get back I'm gonna need that surgery to shave that thing down.

This morning I realized this is my last swim until MIMS.  This evening I have a couple of online webinars with NYCSwim to go over some race information and procedures.  Looking forward to that.

Total: 3.1 miles in 1:31

Reasoning with an angry bear

This morning I didn't swim cause I was coaching South Davis Masters, but I had a situation that I just have to blog (I'll swim at Bountiful Lake on the way home).

I was about 15 minutes into the workout with my swimmers when an old muscley guy was standing next to lane 1 looking like he was about to get in.  I came over and said, "Hey, how are you.  Are you here to join the Masters group?"

He kinda went off.  He shook his head and looked at me gruffly and said, "You know, I had surgery a few months ago and I'm just trying to get back into shape, and you guys are constantly kicking me out.  When it comes to anyone just coming in to swim a few laps, this place sucks!  I don't mean to take it out on you, but this place is just awful."

I smiled and said, "You know, I agree with you.  This pool is highly overbooked,  but if you're looking for a way to get back in to shape, with some friendly guidance and encouragement, that's what Masters is all about."

He said, "So what is this Masters thing?  I'm just an old guy and can't swim fast at all."  I told him Masters simply means its for anyone 18 years or older and that we have all sorts of levels of swimmers and lane 1 would be perfect for him to swim in.  He said, "Is there a an extra fee to swim Masters?"  I said "Technically, Yes, but just give it a try for a few times and see if it works for you.  We can help you overcome some of those injuries and help you get more efficient and stronger in the water."

It was like melting butter.  He apologized and said, "OK, what do you want me to do?"  I sent him off on a warmup of his favorite strokes.  He did sidestroke, some sort of breast stroke and then front crawl.  I gave him a couple pointers to help him, cause he was out of breath.  Told him to make sure to exhale completely underwater, and after he tried that he agreed that made a big difference.

I encouraged him to come again, and I'm pretty sure he will.  Once he finds value in the group, and get him introduced to other swimmers, I bet he'll be hooked.  He told me was a fighter and wasn't about to give in to age, with a walker and everything.  I loved it.  Gave him a fist bump and I bet he'll be excited for Wednesday.  He apologized for his gruff behavior, and told him I'd been in his shoes.  Sometimes you just want to swim, and the facility has the lanes overbooked making it difficult for people to just come in and get their workout in.   He complained that the "VA lap pool was too dang hot.  Like a jacuzzi." and that this pool was a decent temperature.

Kindred spirit this man.

Another two laps in Bountiful Lake

On the way home from work I stopped at Bountiful Lake and swam two full laps around the perimeter with my Swimmer Buddy with GPS in tow.

2.20 miles in 1:05

Getting excited for MIMS

2014 Josh Green Open Water Race

I mentioned to Josh a few weeks ago, that it would be nice if someone hosted a race out at Bountiful Lake, and before I knew it he had a facebook event with a date to run an informal race where people just come out and race the loop around the two islands.

Thing is, Josh and Sabrina had a surprise arrival from Porter and he was unable to come since he was in the hospital with Sabrina.  So I helped organize it.

We had 13 people race:  Me, Sarah, Chad, Joelle, Liz, Jake, Sam, Michael, Martie, Jill, Catherine, Esther, and Rachelle.  I was REALLY hoping Wes would show up.  In fact I was counting on it.  It's lame that when we have a race like this and we can't get a really fast swimmer out here.  I can think of about 10 local guys that could easily beat the record.

Kelley showed up and set up the timing equipment and we got that all settled.  Earlier in the day I got a call from Bailey, a Fox13 reporter.  She wanted to meet Joelle and me out there to talk about MIMS.  I was hoping to get some exposure for the GSLOW race, and even for this race.  We answered questions about all of it, but the final result was basically about MIMS.

We started the race about 10 feet from the water's edge, cause to rush into the water from the boat ramp is a little dangerous.  It's not the easiest place to enter the water with all the large boulders.  We started off and I wanted to see if I could break the record I set last spring: 17:22.  I didn't even bother with bilateral breathing. I was in a dead sprint for what felt like the whole swim.

It seemed to take longer to do the lap, just cause I was hurting and wanted it to be over.  My body wasn't achy, I was just pushing it way harder than I like. When I got out, I stopped my watch and Kelley's time confirmed it, I had just broke the record by 20 seconds: 17:02.

Pretty dang cool.  I'd love to get under 17 minutes next time.  Or better yet, get either Will Reeves, James Jonsson, Wes Johnson, Matt Chamberlain, or Dennis Tesch out there to kick my trash. I would gladly hand over the trophy.

When I got out I looked back and there was another swimmer less than 100 yards back.  I assumed it was Sam, but when they got closer, it was Sarah.  What the heck!  I'm thinking she may win first place in the GSLOW race this weekend!  She got 17:55

She jokingly asked about a female trophy.  Well, now that there is actually more than just 2 or 3 people to actually participate in this thing, when I got home I went online and ordered a trophy for the female record holder.  Hoping it gets here before I leave for NYC, so I can hand it over.  Her 3 year old is pretty concerned about her mom's swimming legitimacy without some bling.

Here's the official results.

I went to the hospital to pick up something for the race this Saturday and Josh gave me a belated birthday present.  Paul Newsome and Adam Young's Swim Smooth book.  I looked through it. What a treasure of swimming information.  Looking forward to tearing into that awesome resource.

Here's the news story that showed from Fox 13:

Kirsten's IM Workout

You know your race is soon,
when you'll be done before the milk expires.

This morning I got in 1800 yards before masters, and then did Kirsten's workout:

200 free
100 back drill

400 IM
6 x 100's pull on 1:30 (got 1:07 on all)
300 IM
4 x 75's breast
200 IM
6 x 50's back
100 IM
6 x 25's one arm fly

400 kick
100 easy
2 x 100's strong on 1:22 (1:15)
50 easy

5,200 yards total

Time Warp

Kris about to blow out her Birthday Candles after workout.

It's amazing how time seems to breeze right by both in the long term and short term sense.  This morning I coached a "40" themed swim workout, celebrating South Davis Masters head coach Kris Edward's 40th birthday.  It was a tough workout, but they all seemed to enjoy it.

Afterwards, had a short coaches meeting then I met Sarah out at Bountiful Lake for a swim.  She already swam thousands of yards at the pool.  I swam 7 Josh Green laps, and she said when we started she was going for 4.  Once we got started, we got separated which isn't a big deal, it's a short 1/2 mile course around the islands and it was a calm morning.  The time just flew by for that swim.

Can't believe it's now June, the same month of my big MIMS swim, and only have two weeks before the race.  I'm getting excited!  Time has flown by.  Good thing I've trained hard and am ready for this thing.  I'll be starting to taper the end of next week.

Later this evening I took Cathi to join the team at the theater for a showing of "Malificent".  What a great movie.  I liked it.

Crazy day next Saturday being the GSLOW race.  I'll have a busy day!

Total: 3.75 miles

Sick

Oliver turns 7, and promises to
take swimming seriously once I get
back from MIMS

I noticed a few days ago I was starting to show symptoms of a cold, and sure enough, I've got one.  I'm trying to get healed up ASAP, taken all the zinc oxide and washing my hands, etc.

I took the last few days off swimming because I needed to get to work early in order to get off work early to perform some pretty important fatherly duties:

• Oliver's birthday at Layton Surf N' Swim with all his buddies.
• Austin's High School Graduation for Clearfield High.

This morning I swam 1800 yards prior to Kris' masters workout:

Warm-up: 100 Free

Austin Graduates from HS

3 x 50’s IM Order Drill

100 Kick

2 x 50’s Free Drill 

100 Free Pull

1 x 50 Build to 90%

Warm-up Set: 4 x 100’s @1:30-1:45

#1 Free-Fly-Free-Fly by 25

#2 Free-Back-Free-Back

#3 Free-Breast-Free-Breast

#4 Free-Choice-Free-Choice (400)

Main Set:         Freestyle Pyramids

Pyramid #1         Pyramid #2         Pyramid #3 

1 x 25 Kick @.30-.40 1 x 50 Kick @.60 1 x 100 Pull @1:45-2:00

1 x 50 Free @.45         1 x 100 Free @1:20         1 x 200 Pull @2:45

1 x 75 Free @1:00         1 x 150 Free @2:00         1 x 300 Pull @4:00

1 x 100 Free @1:20         1 x 200 Free @2:45         1 x 400 Pull @5:30-6:00

1 x 75 Free @1:00         1 x 150 Free @2:00         1 x 300 Pull @4:00

1 x 50 Free @.45         1 x 100 Free @1:20         1 x 200 Pull @2:45

1 x 25 Kick @.30 1 x 50 Kick @.60 1 x 100 Pull

1 Min. Rest 1 Min. Rest 1 Min. Rest

Cool Down: 200 EZ, 200 kick

Total Yards: 6,000 yards total

25K Birthday swim

Last night I set my alarm for 0320.  I woke up twice in the night cause I was really looking forward to this swim.  I woke up at 0300 and said OK, 20 minutes left and went back to sleep.  I heard the alarm, but looked over and it was 0500!  It was Cathi's alarm going off and not mine.  I looked over and I had set the alarm, but didn't turn it on!  I was so mad.  I told Chad I was going to be there at 5, and now I wouldn't even get there till like 6.  I hurried and woke up Jonas (who had agreed to come and time me for a 10K postal), and we rushed out the door.

When I got there Chad was waiting for me in his truck.  Oops.  Kinda felt dumb, but hurried in and got changed.  I noticed that they opened the outdoor pool at 0600 instead of 0630 like normal.  Yes!

Sarah, Josh and Goody also showed up to swim.  We chatted for a while and they enjoyed the morning watching the sun come up.

Got in and did a 1,200 warmup, and then had Jonas time me for a 10K.

Aftewards I did:

1000 kick, 5 x 200's IM/free, 1500 pull, 300 backstroke

For the last 10,000 I did:

2 x (1000 kick, 5 x 200's IM/free, 1000 pull large paddles, 1000 no equipment, 1000 small paddles)

25,000 Meters in 8:10

Clinic #2 at Bountiful Lake

This morning it was overcast and had very light rain.  Josh, Sarah, Jill, Jim, and Liz.

Wow, not the best turnout.  Looks like these free clinics aren't in demand.  We discussed a few things and then went in and did a Josh Green Loop, with a slightly enlarged northwest attachment.  Water temp was 61 degrees.

Total Distance: 0.9 miles in 30 minutes.