My wife and I did our first triathlon(sprint distance) yesterday. I gotta say, I am addicted. However, I freaked out a bit in my first open water swim(500 yds). I was able to calm myself down each time I became nervous but to be completely honest, the swim SUCKED! Ive always been a decent swimmer in the pool and found out saturday how different ow is. Only similarity was that I was wet on both occasions. I completely abandoned my pool technique and for all intensive purposes I dog paddled 500 yds. When I did freestyle, I swam with my head out of the water the whole time. Have any of you accomplished swimmers experienced this? I got nervous and let it ruin my swim. I found a new love in competing and would like to work up to an olympic/half ironman distance, but ive got to get past this unknown fear. Will this come with time and more ow training? Thank you guys a ton for any response.
Wes
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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!
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.
