Anyone had this experience?

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:25:57 GMT

Open water is great if it's available and you live in a mild climate. I practiced in Lake Michigan several times before I did my first Chicago Triathlon (back in the Mrs. T's days) and trained enough for the distance but on race day I freaked at the start. I swam about 75 yards before grabbing the wall and trying to calm down. I grabbed the wall at least 3 more times and it was only a half mile swim. Later that day I heard another participant compare the swim start to the sinking of the Titanic--total panic. While sighting is important, the key is to OW is to relax. Realize that for the first 100 yards or so you aren't going to have a chance to get into a rhythm. Take more frequent breathes, shorter strokes. Train for the chaos by swimming in a lane (circles) with at least two other swimmers--preferably with swimmers with whom you are unfamiliar. You'll learn in a hurry how to time your break-aways, when to hang back, how to negotiate around others, etc. On race day, if you're a middle of the pack swimmer, start toward the back of the pack. If you're serious about an IM, keep in mind that the swim start is usually a mass start-no waves. A buddy of mine did the Lake Placid IM and within the first 500 yards was kicked in the nose. He seriously considered calling it a day. When I did IM Wisconsin a few years later, there were 2,500 participants. I remembered my buddy's story. So at the beginning of the race I was about 25-30 yards behind the starting line. I just figured it was no big deal to add 20-25 seconds to my time, especially since I had to hang in there for 2.4 miles, hop on my bike for 7-8 hours and then run a marathon. Starting in the back really helped me relax and by the time I started catching up to people I had avoided some of the race start nuttiness. The good news is the OW swims are much less panicked because OW swimmers are usually more experienced. The starts are smoother and you won't find people crowding around the giant inflatable buoys at every turn. Best of luck.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

beireland — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:19:26 GMT

It takes some time to get used to OW swimming but many people grow to really enjoy it. Sighting is easier than it first seems. For one thing, there are a bunch of swimmers around you going the same direction. You can keep track of them without doing a full stop and sight--if you are on a different course than the pack, the odds are pretty good that groupthink is right and you are wrong. If its your first few swims, don't worry about your placing as much as work on getting comfortable sighting, swimming in a pack, doing quick looks rather than full stops as someone described above. I find that I sight best when I do a couple quick looks on successive strokes--the multiple looks give me a chance to figure out what I am seeing more easily. Good luck, and doing practice swims really is a good and necessary idea.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:17:36 GMT

Sighting: I’m slightly nearsighted. I don’t have any problems with this in the pool, but in open water it’s more noticeable. I recently bought a pair of prescription goggles (Speedo Vanquishers) specifically for open water and they’ve made it significantly easier to spot a buoy way off in the distance.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:30:28 GMT

I have Just started this year doing OW So this is the little I know. It is hard at first but the more you do OW the more you get used to it. The first one I did the same thing all pool and no Ow. Saying calm is the key, its mostly in the mind. But being in the lake or were ever helps you learn how to swim with waves or currents that you wont get in the pool. Also in the pool lift your head every six strokes to learn to sight. Doing this will help it become natural to you in open water.I have done several Ow this year and must admit every time in the first few yards I get worked up but thinking too about stroke form helps me get in the grove. Warming up before the race in the water you are about to swim calms me more too. Hope the next one goes well for the two of you.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:38:43 GMT

In my opinion, pool swimming relates to open water swimming like taking a walk related to hiking.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

orca1946 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:56:00 GMT

You need to do OW swims to get used to the head up to sight buoys.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:12:48 GMT

I'm no expert on this, but (despite the controversy on these forums surrounding him), I found Terry Laughlin's articles on ow swimming very helpful. I believe there was one in USMS Swimmer a couple years ago, and I also saw one in my region's newsletter (if I can find the link, I'll post it). One thing he talked about was "alligator eyes"--not raising one's head all the way out of the water but just enough every few strokes to see ahead. A swim coach at my pool suggested a quick "head swivel" when taking a breath--not a full lift but a quick turn of the head forward (hope I'm describing this right... others should feel free to correct). It worked well for me--that and trying when I sighted to focus on some prominent object (the buoys or such). Most of all, I found it helpful to keep my focus relaxed. Especially in your first few races, focus on enjoying the experience, don't worry too much about speed. In one race, everyone sprinted out and I did too--and then was breathless and struggling about 200 yards later... but I just did a little breaststroke, took some deep breaths, and settled in again at my more normal pace. As a swim coach I worked with used to say, "do the best that you can do. Don't worry about what others are doing." That advice has gotten me through not only a lot of swims but other things as well. Although I'm mainly a pool swimmer, I spent a lot of time as a child swimming at the beach, so I felt fairly comfortable with waves or all the other "surprises" open water can throw at you. Just getting yourself into some lakes/bays/oceans helps. After a while, you'll find it's way more fun than a pool! Good luck!

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:08:39 GMT

Thanks a ton Heidi! We def won't be there this saturday. We've got to go down to Fl. to pick up our kids from the grandparent's farm. We will definitely try and make the next one. Do you guys have a website with scheduled swims? Look forward to training with you guys. Wes

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Former Member — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:18:22 GMT

Thanks for the replies guys/girls. Yes, my first open water swim was in the race. Terrible idea. Im off on saturdays so I think my wife and I will come up to Altoona and get in some reps. I love to swim, but I have got to get out in the open. Thanks for the invite Heidi.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

hnatkin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:54:01 GMT

Wes, If you make it up to the lake, come introduce yourself. I should be in the green plaid suit and neon green cap that has a pirate and says District Team on it. I'll probably be hanging out with 2 big bald guys - Jeff and Randy. By the way, bring your cap from the tri last weekend - everyone has to wear a bright cap so the kayakers can see all the swimmers for safety purposes. -Heidi

RE: Anyone had this experience?

hnatkin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:56:34 GMT

Wes, If you are in the Atlanta area, come get some open water practices in up at Red Top Mountain (Lake Alatoona). There is an organized group that does Sat am swims there twice a month, all ability levels. Next swim is this Sat, 8:30 am. -Heidi

RE: Anyone had this experience?

ViveBene — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:07:55 GMT

Here is a recent thread on qualifying for OW swims in triathlons: Triathletes should be certified by USMS (SCAQ) - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums I'm glad you discovered early the differences between pool and OW swimming. OW clinics for tris are ever more popular. If there is not one in your area, perhaps you could start one, or ask a local US Masters Swimming group if they offer one.

RE: Anyone had this experience?

Betsy — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:27:49 GMT

Did I read this correctly that you had not practiced in open water? Your first experience was in the race? Practicing in a pool is great for learning the pace you want, but practicing in open water is the only way to become at ease. I live at a beach and the triathlon clubs and the triathlon stores have regularly scheduled open water swims for all levels of competitiors.