I was asked today by one of my kids' coaches to join her in a triathlon team on the swimming leg. I'm trying to work up the guts to say yes. :blush:
They Hyvee triathlon, held here in Des Moines, is in September. I've never been a distance swimmer, but have been working lately on improving my endurance. I've been swimming 500s (technically 600m as it's a 30m pool) during my workouts and doing all my flip turns on them. Don't laugh, it's a big accomplishment for me. :p
Anywho, I know I'd need to do some OW training as well as increasing my distance endurance. I'm going to look into the local training groups for the tri around here - I know there are plenty. Does anyone have any tips on preparing? Or am I crazy for considering it? :D
Of course you aren't crazy! I think the big thing is to get comfortable swimming in open water. It's just different at first and tends to spook those who aren't used to it. Learn how to site well. You shouldn't have to stop and look up. As far as training, pacing is the most important thing. Learn the feeling of the pace you can maintain. There's probably going to be lots of thrashing and jockeying for position at the start of your race. Don't get caught up in. Just swim your own race at a pace you know you can maintain.
One last thing. There's really no need to train a lot in open water. I do nearly all my training in a pool but still do well in OW swims. Once you get used to the feel of swimming and navigating in open water you'll be fine.
Of course you aren't crazy! I think the big thing is to get comfortable swimming in open water. It's just different at first and tends to spook those who aren't used to it. Learn how to site well. You shouldn't have to stop and look up. As far as training, pacing is the most important thing. Learn the feeling of the pace you can maintain. There's probably going to be lots of thrashing and jockeying for position at the start of your race. Don't get caught up in. Just swim your own race at a pace you know you can maintain.
One last thing. There's really no need to train a lot in open water. I do nearly all my training in a pool but still do well in OW swims. Once you get used to the feel of swimming and navigating in open water you'll be fine.
