What You Need
1.
Garmin 305
2. zip-lock plastic freezer/sandwich bag
3. Goggles
4. Hat (swimming variety - neoprene preferably)
5. Wet-Suit (optional)
6. Lake (or other open water body)
Preparation
1. Go to the lake
2. Don wetsuit (
preferably over swimming trunks)
Instructions
1. Turn on the
Garmin and switch to "Other" in the Running/Biking/Other menu.
2. Preselect Training - Training Options -
Autopause - Custom Speed - 0.5 km/hr
3. Place
Garmin in zip-lock bag.
4. Place zip-lock bag in rear of swimming hat and place swimming hat on head making sure to set the
Garmin facing forward so that you know the Start from the Lap button.
5. Put on goggles using the straps to secure the
Garmin under the swimming hat while making sure that they don't cross over the Stop/Lap buttons.
6. Enter lake, press the start button and begin swimming.
7. Exit lake, remove goggles, swimming hat and
Garmin and press the Stop button.
Nothing to it really!
Results
1. Leaking goggles. A couple of mid swim
adjustments were necessary.
2. An intermittent beeping sound coming from the back of my swimming hat - this was reassuring on three counts
A. It proved that the Garmin was still there
B. It proved that it was still functioning and
C. It proved that I must have pressed the correct button as I concluded (after wondering what the f*#k was all the beeping about) that the autopause function was kicking in, which was borne out by the beep when I stopped to adjust my goggles and the second beep when I resumed swimming - although there were more virtual stops than real ones.
3. 1,232 yards in 20:50 = 29:46 minute miles. The best track of my swim is below.
4. While the surface was a bit choppy and my head bobbed about a bit the elevation profile suggests a very undulating course.
I conducted the above experiment at lunchtime today in
Inniscarra Lake with Connie and Pete (The
Jedward of triathlon - so
enthusiastic) although they were more observers than participants. Connie was very supportive though saying - "I don't mind, it's your
Garmin".
In case you thought i'd lost it completly I was following in the footsteps of
others.
.
AS I CAN'T SWIM MORE THAN 25M WITHOUT TAKING A REST i'M ALWAYS MASSIVELY IMPRESSED WHEN SOMEONE DOES AN OPEN WATER SWIM. cause I'd never make it to the other side :[
ReplyDeleteYes interesting graph, looked like a good place to go surfing dude!
interesting! I might try that.
ReplyDeleteI used my 301xt for the lost sheep last year. Was wearing it on my wrist. However it kept buzzing and beeping during the swim saying it had lost gps signal... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/13173614
As you can see i swam the latter stages at speeds over 60mph at over 100ft under the surface.
That's quite some elevation profile. I guess I must have missed the news item that reported a series of tsunamis on Inniscarra Lake.
ReplyDeleteActually, I might be tempted to do the same next time I brave the open water. I'm a bit worried about my 305, though.
Derek, having the unit on your wrist probably causes it to lose signal during the downstroke. At least when it's under your hat it is more or less on or above the surface of the water and with the 301xt you don't have to worry about the zip-lock bag - I wouldn't recommend using it like this for a race unless you don't mind adding a few seconds to your transition times. Your 60mph pace is very impressive indeed.
ReplyDeleteThat's clever! Great idea to practise 'straight' swimming. Well, afterwards you can see how zig-zaggy you were!
ReplyDeleteNo good for me though - I haven't got #1 or #5... but we don't need #5 down here in summer. The water is too hot ;)