Here is a variation on a common question in this forum about marathons: What about long walks? Stated another way, is walking the kind of exercise divers should avoid?
I am training to walk a half-marathon in early May. I have a 2-week dive trip planned for the first two weeks in April. My training regimen calls for me to reach my peak (i.e., walk the longest12 miles) during this period.
I am looking for a strategy that will allow me to (a) dive and (b) train as best I can without creating significant DCS risks. Here are some facts:
About me:
65-year old male
Good physical health
Walked half marathon last year under 3 hours (avg speed 4.5 mph)
Currently walk 3X per week
Flat course 6 milesheart rate never exceeds 120 bpm; average is lower
Steep hill repeatsheart rate never exceeds 150 bpm; average is much lower
Advanced diver1,000 plus dives
Main dive activityunderwater photography
Usually dive Nitrox
Never go into deco
No history of medical problems related to diving
About the Dive Trip
11 possible dive days
We plan to dive 9 of them, 2 days off
Profiles for each 2-tank dive: Deep to 100, shallow at 35-50
Diving usually in the morning to early afternoon
Nitrox not impossible to get, but takes planning (and expensive: $17 per tank)
Beautiful Caribbean island, but no chambernext island over
Warm water and air temps
About the Training
Started in January: 3-4 milesavg speeds 3.6 4.1 mph
February (to date): 4 6 miles same speeds
March schedule: Mixture of 3 8 miles
Dive weeks (first two weeks in April):
May 5: race
Besides the obvious hydration precautions (and probably springing for Nitrox), can anyone suggest a way to have it all?
I am training to walk a half-marathon in early May. I have a 2-week dive trip planned for the first two weeks in April. My training regimen calls for me to reach my peak (i.e., walk the longest12 miles) during this period.
I am looking for a strategy that will allow me to (a) dive and (b) train as best I can without creating significant DCS risks. Here are some facts:
About me:
65-year old male
Good physical health
Walked half marathon last year under 3 hours (avg speed 4.5 mph)
Currently walk 3X per week
Flat course 6 milesheart rate never exceeds 120 bpm; average is lower
Steep hill repeatsheart rate never exceeds 150 bpm; average is much lower
Advanced diver1,000 plus dives
Main dive activityunderwater photography
Usually dive Nitrox
Never go into deco
No history of medical problems related to diving
About the Dive Trip
11 possible dive days
We plan to dive 9 of them, 2 days off
Profiles for each 2-tank dive: Deep to 100, shallow at 35-50
Diving usually in the morning to early afternoon
Nitrox not impossible to get, but takes planning (and expensive: $17 per tank)
Beautiful Caribbean island, but no chambernext island over
Warm water and air temps
About the Training
Started in January: 3-4 milesavg speeds 3.6 4.1 mph
February (to date): 4 6 miles same speeds
March schedule: Mixture of 3 8 miles
Dive weeks (first two weeks in April):
- 3-6 miles some at race pace
- hill repeats (6 miles)
- One 12 mile
May 5: race
Besides the obvious hydration precautions (and probably springing for Nitrox), can anyone suggest a way to have it all?
