What is marathon swimming?
More than 116 million participate in open water swimming — diving into lakes, rivers, seas, and oceans. But for marathon swimmers, it’s about doing more than just a couple hundred yards or swimming the perimeter of your local lake.
Marathon swimming has gained popularity over the years, attracting athletes and adventure enthusiasts seeking new personal challenges. Endurance swimmers from around the world test their physical and mental limits by taking on iconic open water swims like the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan Island Marathon Swim.
As the name implies, marathon swimming involves swimming long distances. But unlike running events, the “marathon” does not mean covering 26.2 miles. Open-water events can range in distance from 6.2 miles to 50 miles but there are challenges that can take a swimmer farther.
The conditions for these swims, whether it’s a training session or an organized event, are in unpredictable, and sometimes adverse conditions. Swimmers don’t have the comfort of lane markers or the controlled conditions of a pool – they navigate through tides, currents, and varying water temperatures.
Perhaps the most defining characteristic of marathon swimming is not just the physical task of swimming long distances. Swimmers have to have the mental endurance and strength to complete these hours-long swims.
Training for a marathon swim
If you’re inspired by “NYAD” on Netflix and the dedication and resilience of Diana Nyad, you can begin your own endurance swimming journey. The training will not only focus on building your physical endurance but developing the mental strength and specific skills to navigate open water conditions.
Assess your current swimming abilities
It is crucial to have a solid foundation in swimming and be comfortable in open water. Before you start training for a marathon swim, you need to have an honest look about your current swimming abilities. Among the considerations are your fitness level, comfort with open water swimming, and whether you are injury-prone.
Whether you work with a coach or mentor, this swim assessment will help you identify areas that need improvement, set realistic goals, and develop a comprehensive training plan to prepare for the challenges of the event.
Develop a training plan
Whether you are training for a short-distance pool event, a long-distance triathlon or marathon swim, a well-structured training plan is crucial for your success.
The demands of the plan will largely depend on the length of your marathon swim. If you are signed up for a longer swim, such as a 20-mile or even 50-mile event, you should expect to be training 10 to 20 hours a week. A shorter event, such as those in the 6- to 10-mile range, will require 5 to 10 hours of swimming per week. The plan will often include phases — phase, peak phase, and tapering — to help you build the fitness and endurance you need for a long-distance open-water swim.
There are training plans available online but you can also work with a swimming coach to develop a more personalized schedule.