Swimming at odd hours

**adriand** · March 14th, 2016, 05:39 PM

Hey everyone! This is my first forum question, about nutrition and rest, hopefully in the right thread.

At the end of the week I'll be swimming in a 24h team marathon. In short, 8 team members swim 30 minutes in 6 cycles during 24h. My scheduled entering times are 3.30pm, 7.30pm, 11.30pm, 3.30am, 7.30am and 11.30am. The team that covers the most kilometers wins.

What I'd like to know is:

what would be a good food strategy in the 3.5 hours I have between events, especially before and in between the last events when I'll be dead tired from lack of proper sleep?
sleeping, no sleeping, how much?
any other advice is much appreciated!

Many thanks.
Adrian

**ForceDJ** · March 15th, 2016, 09:00 AM

For me, swimming on full stomach isn't a big issue. IMO, for me, I would "try" (emphasis "try") to do it like this:

Eat my significant lunch around noon-ish.
Swim at 3:30pm
Snack between swims as needed
Swim at 7:30pm
Eat a meal immediately following 7:30pm swim (before 10:00pm)
Swim at 11:30pm
Sleep
Swim at 3:30am
Sleep more as needed
Swim at 7:30am
Eat a meal immediately following 7:30am swim.
Swim at 11:30am

Dan

**orca1946** · March 15th, 2016, 03:21 PM

ForceDJ seems to have a plan. Eat what you have eaten before , nothing new to your system. Energy-protein bars seem to be ok for me between swims along with bananas

**adriand** · March 16th, 2016, 06:49 PM

Thanks to both. I have an additional question concerning coffee. It seems that it will be needed in fair amounts before those early swim sessions. I've read that coffee gives a strong sensation of dehydration and it doesn't always take effect immediately to feel it during the race. Can I exchange it with something that will act faster? Organizers are giving glucose tablets, which I know are post race supplements.

**ForceDJ** · March 16th, 2016, 08:51 PM

I don't know how much of a coffee drinker you are, but if you're not...then I wouldn't drink it during this event just to use it as some sort of booster. When I was in the Navy I drank coffee almost 'round the clock (black). Now I'm more of just a morning coffee drinker. But I've never felt that it dehydrates me. Just make sure you're also drinking enough water. If you are a coffee drinker...I'd be more concerned with it making me have to pee during one of the swim intervals. BUT, each swim is only 30 minutes. So, if you've just recently drank a cup you should pee right before you get in the water and I think you'd be OK for 30 minutes.

Dan

**FreeChamp** · March 17th, 2016, 04:27 PM

Coffee is fine if you normally drink coffee. Just do not do anything that is new for your system for a competition. I agree with Dan, except just pee in the water.

**Sojerz** · March 17th, 2016, 05:36 PM

Adding to Dan's suggested schedule, you might want to take in some fluids and carbs after "sleep" but before you swim (1 hour before if possible, but less is ok too), but no proteins at those points.