Sunday was my first open water swim.
I was definately fit enough to take on my a one mile swim, 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run in kingston on the Hudson river. For the past 4 months I have been training hard first 2 months one mile swims 2 to 3 times a week in 25 yard pool. Next month One mile swims followed by 2 or 3 hard 200 swims. Last month a 100 warm up, hard 200 meter swim, followed by a mile swim under 35 minutes and then 3 to 4 100's strong pace under 1:45 30 second rest. I thought I was ready, but found I had numerous problems. One I did not wear a wetsuit and paid for it creating to much drag. Second after 80 strokes I felt uncomfortable and could hardly see 2 feet ahead of me in the Hudson. I wanted to go back and quit, but a guy in a wave runner helped turn me around. I still couldn't keep track of the 1st marker. I wound up at the second marker 200yards or so down river. This was a mistake most made by most the race, but because of my slow start I was!
forced to swim 250 yards up river alone. I finally lined my self up straight up stream for the marker and went for it after a jurk in a Kayak said he though I was going backwards, It was then I just went for it Looking up less and putting together a bunch of long hard strokes. My biggest problem with swimming in open water is keeping direction and feeling that I need to look after 20 strokes or so to stay on corse. Any suggestions on what to do.
Ps Took 40 minutes to swim up river on the Hudson plus 20 out and 15 back. A friend did the swim last year the swim took 20 minutes this year he did it in 38.
Former Member
:) Hello Bobby: My name is Maria, l live in Crown Point, IN. l am not claiming to be an expert in the subject of open water swimming but l have done several Triathlons and this is what works for me.
When you are in the pool ( this was the advise of a friend of mine) try to swim with your eyes closed for about 10 strokes. This would be difficult at first because you are so used to having them open but dont give up. After the 10th. stroke or so, lift your head out of the water for a bit to kinda look ahead and then close your eyes again and keep going. Soon you'll get usded to it. Then try to go to a Lake to practice this. The trick is to try to spot land marks like trees or rocks or buildings, anything to kinda guide you along. Also, the markers they put along the course are usually easy to spot because they are bright orange, so the day of the race, get familiar with the things that are around this markers and once you are in the water, keep them in your sight at all times. l hope this will help you in your next Triathlon. Good luck, have fun and never give up! Maria:)
Thanks for the tip. I guess I am where I am supose to be. Yesterday the organizeers of the tri. Offered everyone who did the a discount of the same race next year, because the current was so strong.
