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.
Parents
Former Member
if you're pretty good in the pool you should do fine (although pretty good is relative, so that all depends). Main thing is to save the legs and practice navigation with head up drills as mentioned earlier. A good way to make it realistic is to keep your eyes closed when your head is in the water and then open them when the head is up, although I wouldn't recommend this one in a crowded pool. Expect to be roughed up a bit the first 500 yards or so if you try to start at the front of the pack. I know Cal Triathlon teaches their athletes both offensive and defensive tactics for swim starts and I'm sure other organized tri groups do the same. There is no referee out there, so all is fair game. I was swum over the top of and punched once in a triathlon, great fun. It's all with love, to be sure.
Oh, and you probably know this but really important to practice bricks, running fast after a longish bike ride. Super hard if you're not conditioned.
if you're pretty good in the pool you should do fine (although pretty good is relative, so that all depends). Main thing is to save the legs and practice navigation with head up drills as mentioned earlier. A good way to make it realistic is to keep your eyes closed when your head is in the water and then open them when the head is up, although I wouldn't recommend this one in a crowded pool. Expect to be roughed up a bit the first 500 yards or so if you try to start at the front of the pack. I know Cal Triathlon teaches their athletes both offensive and defensive tactics for swim starts and I'm sure other organized tri groups do the same. There is no referee out there, so all is fair game. I was swum over the top of and punched once in a triathlon, great fun. It's all with love, to be sure.
Oh, and you probably know this but really important to practice bricks, running fast after a longish bike ride. Super hard if you're not conditioned.
