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Competitive Triathlon

Dawn P.
Dawn P. Sendmail

Open water training

posted 12 months ago | Report

I'm gearing up for my second triathlon and first open water swim. I will have to train primarily in a pool and am looking for tips, suggestions, resources. Any help is greatly appreciated!

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  • Tricia
    Tricia Sendmail

    Hi Dawn--the tri bug will get you! I don't have many tips for you..have done a couple of sprint tri's and am suppose to do my 1st open water swim tri next week if I can get over this groin pull...ugh! Anyway, would love to follow your training, hear the tips, and encourage/motivate.

    posted 12 months ago

  • Dawn P.
    Dawn P. Sendmail
    in reply to what Tricia said:Hi Dawn--the tri bug will get you! I don't have many tips for you..have done a couple of sprint tri's and am suppose to do my 1st open water swim tri next week if I can get over this groin pull...ugh! Anyway, would love to follow your training, ... read more

    thanks tricia, hope you heal up! if you're able to compete let me know how the swim goes!

    posted 12 months ago

  • Gretta M.
    Gretta M. Sendmail

    1. wear a swim cap it makes you more visible if there is a bad situation with yourself or other swimmers 2. Swimming tends to be most tri athletes weakest area. One weak swimmer can easily pull another swimmer down. 3. every three or four strokes you need to do a face out of the water stroke so you know where you are going. Practice this while training. It is really easy if you don't take a head up stroke like this to go way out of your way. 4. Have Fun!

    posted 12 months ago

  • Dawn P.
    Dawn P. Sendmail

    thanks gretta!!

    posted 12 months ago

  • Mike K.
    Mike K. Sendmail

    1. Above all, position yourself at the start relative to your swimming skills. If you are not sure, start closer to the back of the pack. If you are not a strong swimmer and new to open water swimming, the worst first experience can be having a stronger swimmer climb over you back and force you to sink, swallow water or panic. Remember, the swim is the shortest section of the race - don't be afraid to start further back on your first time out to stay safe and feel comfortable. You can make up time in the other two activities.

    2. Try to get some practice swimming open water before the race. Remember, in the lake, there are no lines on the bottom to guide you. There are waves, weeds, other swimmers. Try to pick a visual reference to check every few strokes to swim a straight line. If the course goes along the shore, use the shore for reference. If you swim at a pool, try even going when they have an aquafit class on - if there is a lane swim at the same time, the action from the class can almost create wave like conditions.

    3. Use whatever stroke you need to feel comfortable. If swimming is not your thing, consider breast stroke - easy to see where you are going and not as energy consuming.

    If you want a great swimming resource, check out Total Immersion - I went from a regular breast stroker to efficient freestyler in no time after using this program. It focuses on being more efficient, not working harder.

    Best of luck!

    posted 12 months ago

  • Dawn P.
    Dawn P. Sendmail

    thanks for all the great tips and information Mike! i'm excited but also quite nervous. i'm a decent swimmer, i consider it my strongest of the three disciplines however i have never done open water...i will have to think about my positioning going into it. thanks again!!!

    posted 12 months ago

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