26 July,[1] the date of the 43rd LIDL Balaton Crossing may seem a long way off, but it’s worth preparing for it in time. The total length of the swim is 5,200 metres, which takes 2 to 3 hours for swimmers. To be able to swim this distance, you need to reach a level where you can swim at least 3 kilometres with confidence by early summer, says an expert from the organizers, Budapest Sports Office (BSI). It is best to start training in spring, first in the pool, but after a while you should also try it in open water (lake, sea), because it feels very different from swimming in a pool – for example because of the waves, the visibility and the difficulty of orientation. A good way to prepare for the big Balaton crossing is to gain experience in shorter distance races, such as the MOL Campus Gulf Swimming which can be completed in 4 different distances on 21 June.
How much water experience you need and how to prepare
• You don’t need to be a top water athlete to swim across Lake Balaton, but confident swimming skills are essential.
• Once you’ve decided to do it, start preparing. The first step is to decide whether you want to do the half distance (2.6 km) or the full distance (5.2 km), as this will determine the intensity of your training.
• You can start your training in any swimming style, and even alternate them over time. It makes sense to choose the style that you can maintain effectively over the long term, as you will be swimming for several hours during the race.
• First, get yourself some equipment that you can swim in comfortably for long distances: a supportive swimsuit or trunks and comfortable goggles. Choose a pair of goggles that are suitable for swimming outdoors, so you won’t be bothered by strong sunlight.
• Start your swim with a few minutes of warming up on land and don’t forget to stretch at the end. A strength or cardio workout once or twice a week will also support your training. It may be a good idea to follow a pre-designed training plan. The event organisers have created free, digital training plans that you can use as a guide to help you prepare for the race.
How to stay motivated?
A longer working day, more exciting activities or even rainy weather: it’s common experience that initial enthusiasm can quickly be replaced by demotivation, especially if there are still several months to go before the event. However, continuous training is also important to gradually get your body used to swimming longer distances, and reduce the risk of becoming too exhausted or even injured.
It can be discouraging if you don’t reach your goal one day. It’s worth monitoring and logging your performance so that even if you have a less successful day, you can see the steady improvement over several weeks. Digital tools and apps can also help you keep track and stay motivated. Yettel offers a range of smart watches and sports watches suitable for swimming[2] that allow you to set the length of the pool and automatically count the distance covered. Most of these devices can already recognise your swimming style and can also measure your pace, stroke rate and heart rate underwater. With this information, it’s easy to track your progress week by week, keep you motivated and share your results with friends and family.
Yettel is a special partner of the 43rd LIDL Balaton Crossing. The mobile operator develops its network around Lake Balaton throughout the year and will provide a high-speed mobile network during the race to ensure that everyone can reach their loved ones as soon as they finish the course.
[1]The BSI organizing team will confirm the organization or possible cancellation of the event due to bad weather 2 days in advance, at noon on 24 July. Possible reserve days: 27 July, 2, 3, 9, 10 August
[2]Not all smartwatches can be used for swimming – check before you buy.