Just had to share: Last nite went to a local lake that I swim in occassionally. Smaller lake, 730 yards from one end to the other (GPS is great). As I was getting ready to go, a local Tri-guy was finishing his swim. I noticed that he was wearing a wet suit. Water temperature was about 81 degrees! I say," isn't it a little warm for a wet suit?" (I would be smothering), he says "Well, there are a couple of cold patches out there!" (probably gets down all the way to 80 degrees for 30 seconds) LOL.
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Former Member
Yes it is a bit strange. I have swam many open water races over the years and have had my share of "experiences", like the first time someone used my body as a wall to push off as we rounded a tight buoy. Don't get me wrong I have no problem going stroke for stroke in open water inches apart from another swimmer. I definitely have no problem with someone touching my feet (too many years of too many swimmers in one lane during swim practice), although if someone grabbed my ankle and pulled it to get past me my elbow might find it's way to a body part.
The strangest part is that triathletes, and I am one as well, are not fast swimmers. I am routinely one of the first out of the water and I wonder what the hubbub was at the start. Personally at tri races I start on the outside and ignore everyone on my way to the first buoy. I try to negative split the swim. Meanwhile everyone else is in the middle flailing about to be in the lead of a group that will take 30 minutes to swim a mile. Go figure. In true open water races I would be hesitant to employ that strategy because a group could get away and I would no chance to tag along.
Yes it is a bit strange. I have swam many open water races over the years and have had my share of "experiences", like the first time someone used my body as a wall to push off as we rounded a tight buoy. Don't get me wrong I have no problem going stroke for stroke in open water inches apart from another swimmer. I definitely have no problem with someone touching my feet (too many years of too many swimmers in one lane during swim practice), although if someone grabbed my ankle and pulled it to get past me my elbow might find it's way to a body part.
The strangest part is that triathletes, and I am one as well, are not fast swimmers. I am routinely one of the first out of the water and I wonder what the hubbub was at the start. Personally at tri races I start on the outside and ignore everyone on my way to the first buoy. I try to negative split the swim. Meanwhile everyone else is in the middle flailing about to be in the lead of a group that will take 30 minutes to swim a mile. Go figure. In true open water races I would be hesitant to employ that strategy because a group could get away and I would no chance to tag along.
