I am looking at doing my first Triatholon this June. I am a good runner and cyclist. Trying to get back into swimming. I am a decent swimmer. I just started swimming again last week after a few years off. Just put up another thread in the workout thread asking for a good workout routine. Anyway I just wanted some advice on open water swimming and group swimming if anybody has any. I am pretty good in the pool but have never really swam open water or in big packs like you would in a triatholon. I believe the swim portion of the Tri will be in a fresh water lake. If anyone has any advice and knows about Triatholons feel free to offer some advice. I would appreciate it.
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Former Member
Some things about tri swims. Theres lots of action at the start people bumping into you, feet, arms out. A frenzy. Theres no lane dividers which keep wakes down so theres waves, water in your face, the temp will be probably colder then your pool. Theres no end to the lane no place to hold onto to rest, your on your own in water over your head. So.. that sounds scary in a way but remember to just take it easy on your first tri swim and its going to be ok. Let the pack get away a bit at the start then swim at your pace. Most tri swims are not all that far and if you have been swimming laps in a pool and can swim 1/2 a mile you will be fine. One thing to practice on is sighting raising your head to see where you are at. With open water swimming currents / wakes can put you off course. Remember you will have no lap lanes to guide you. Relax its going to be your first tri and you will be just fine. Concentrate on making up time on the run or bike that you might lose in the swim. The swim is the most scary part of a tri for a whole lot of people ,lots of people can bike and run but cant swim. Just take it easy and remember that with all things experience counts and as you compete you will gain experience and confidence and after a few tris you will be in the front of the pack going for it! A good showing in the swim counts a lot overall as I said lots of people that can run/bike cant swim .
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Former Member
Some things about tri swims. Theres lots of action at the start people bumping into you, feet, arms out. A frenzy. Theres no lane dividers which keep wakes down so theres waves, water in your face, the temp will be probably colder then your pool. Theres no end to the lane no place to hold onto to rest, your on your own in water over your head. So.. that sounds scary in a way but remember to just take it easy on your first tri swim and its going to be ok. Let the pack get away a bit at the start then swim at your pace. Most tri swims are not all that far and if you have been swimming laps in a pool and can swim 1/2 a mile you will be fine. One thing to practice on is sighting raising your head to see where you are at. With open water swimming currents / wakes can put you off course. Remember you will have no lap lanes to guide you. Relax its going to be your first tri and you will be just fine. Concentrate on making up time on the run or bike that you might lose in the swim. The swim is the most scary part of a tri for a whole lot of people ,lots of people can bike and run but cant swim. Just take it easy and remember that with all things experience counts and as you compete you will gain experience and confidence and after a few tris you will be in the front of the pack going for it! A good showing in the swim counts a lot overall as I said lots of people that can run/bike cant swim .
