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.
The tips about lifting your head straight ahead and the bumping other swimmers are good ones!
When it comes to bumping into other swimmers, I believe this is to be expected, especially in open water, so I am not one to stop and yell at a bumper or stop and apologize to a bumpee. A few years ago, I ran over a female friend of mine in an open water swim and my hands went places that would otherwise be inappropriate. In that case, we did recognize each other in the water, and I did apologize to her afterwards - we got a good laugh out of it.:joker:
One thing I like to keep in mind with the swim portion is that this is the only portion of the race where I am using my arms. Therefore, when it comes to my stroke, I definetely work my arms pretty hard. With my legs, I don't let them hang by any means, but do keep a light kick going to warm them up for the bike and run.
The tips about lifting your head straight ahead and the bumping other swimmers are good ones!
When it comes to bumping into other swimmers, I believe this is to be expected, especially in open water, so I am not one to stop and yell at a bumper or stop and apologize to a bumpee. A few years ago, I ran over a female friend of mine in an open water swim and my hands went places that would otherwise be inappropriate. In that case, we did recognize each other in the water, and I did apologize to her afterwards - we got a good laugh out of it.:joker:
One thing I like to keep in mind with the swim portion is that this is the only portion of the race where I am using my arms. Therefore, when it comes to my stroke, I definetely work my arms pretty hard. With my legs, I don't let them hang by any means, but do keep a light kick going to warm them up for the bike and run.
