I just swam my first open water event this past weekend, and have learned a few lessons the hard way.
I was wondering if anyone else has some tips or things that swimmers need to remember for an open water race.
The following is what I have so far.
1. Know exactly where the finish line is and what markings it will have.
I ended a short warm up race (500m) by swimming to the wrong boat ramp, about 20 feet away from the actual finish line. The finish line had the electronic sensors.
2. Know the course layout.
The course I swam was a rectangle with 3 large buoys on each of the long sides. For some reason during the swim I was sure there were only 2 on the back side. After the 2nd buoy, I started to cut over toward the finish line until I suspected that something was amiss. An extended look showed me my error. I hated myself for this error.
3. Don’t get kicked in the head.
If the race is sufficiently long, and you are an average racer, I think a clean start is more important than a fast start. I started to the far left of the pack, which was smart. Unfortunately, I cut in prematurely within the first 100 yards and was kicked in the goggles. I believe I really should have stayed wide and stayed safe for the first ~800 yard straight-away, angling slightly toward the last buoy.
Things I did right.
4. Make sure the ankle bracelet and timing chip are securely attached.
I had trouble removing it after the swim. A good problem.
5. Brought and wore dark goggles.
I usually swim indoors with clear goggles. The dark tint or mirror is a nice addition outside, even on an overcast day.
6. Lots of swimmers are nervous.
It helps me to know that I was not the only swim with butterflies.
What am I missing?
My next event is Labor Day weekend.
Thanks.
I just swam my first open water event this past weekendCongrats!
...and have learned a few lessons the hard way...
If the race is sufficiently long, and you are an average racer, I think a clean start is more important than a fast start. I started to the far left of the pack, which was smart...You made a smart choice to start wide. I'd argue that you can get a clean and a fast start almost always by starting at one extreme (right or left) of the field. I consider myself a pretty fast starter and, whenever I can, I try to be the last person on one side of the starting field. Doing this guarantees me that I've only got one side to watch out for, both in terms of not getting kicked and in terms of getting ahead to clean water.
What am I missing?
These might be personal preferences, but I also like:
Warmup pre-race on the race course if at all possible. For some reason, I go to OW races and see loads of people just jumping in and racing cold. With (generally) a fast start, this is a recipe for pain. Know ahead of time if you'll be able to warmup at the event. If you can, great. If you can't, try to do a pool warmup as close as possible before you head over to the race. If it's too cold, do lots of dynamic stretching, etc. to get yourself warmed up.
Wear your goggles under your cap: less chance of another competitor accidentally knocking them off.
Try to get a pair of goggles that are sleek with a good field of vision. I see lots of people aiming for clunky goggles (e.g., www.aquasphereswim.com/.../67) that, while having great field of vision, also offer greater surface area upon which a competitor can accidentally kick or whack you. I prefer to race open water in the same pool racing goggles I use -- www.swimoutlet.com/.../2929.htm -- because they seem to hold their antifog forever, offer great sun protection and fit snugly so that even an errant hand or foot to the eyepiece won't knock them loose.
I'd be happy to hear suggestions for warm ups when the swim starts as a jump off of a water taxi -- can't get in the water first. The swims I am doing this year are all like that. Last year I did a lot of stretching and stuff while lining up but it certainly wasn't like a swim warm up. Anything you can do while treading water and waiting for the horn?
Former Member
Dadis,
Congrats on the first swim. I did my first open water race a few weeks ago.
I agree with Patrick, try to swim the course as a warm-up if possible. Another point that I found out the hard way, don't try to over do the start of the race. When my race started, I was so anxious to get out to the front, that I went out too hard. The rest of the race hurt. Try to start strong but with control.
Anything you can do while treading water and waiting for the horn?Streamline dolphin kicks. I also like pushing myself straight down with a vertical upsweep of straight arms, then doing an underwater *** pull & kick to bring me back to the surface. Anything to keep me moving, but going vertical in those situations.
Lots of good advice here. I would add:
Before the race starts, ask if others have done the race before, and if they have any tips. In my experience, people are very willing to be helpful. Usually the most important piece of advice to get is what to "sight" on -- this may *not* be the finish line for most of the race, as the finish line may not be visible from the start. It could be a building or a mountain or some other landmark.
I use Vaseline on exposed areas to prevent suit rubbing and to pretend that it's keeping me warmer. (not sure that it does).
Wear a silicone cap or other cap underneath the cap they give you to keep your head warmer. But don't do what I did on Saturday and use a cap that slowly creeps off your head. :shakeshead:
Know that you're going to swallow water and miss a breath or two. No biggie.
Be prepared to change your stroke. For longer races, I find it helpful to switch periodically between longer, slower strokes and shorter, faster ones, because I think you use slightly different muscles. Waves or chop may require higher arms and shorter strokes.
Learn how to sight without interrupting your breathing.
Draft off of someone a little faster than you who seems to be swimming a good line. But be careful, because if you pick the wrong person, you may swim off course if they do or swim slower than you could be. And if you do draft, don't be a jerk and touch their feet. At all.
Be sure to have nice warm clothes waiting for you at the finish. Celebrate your job well done. Exchange your war stories with other swimmers.
Former Member
1. Get there EARLY. Gives you a chance to see the course, figure out the layout (not just from a map), ask questions, see conditions, warmup, prepare mentally, etc. If feedings are needed, get that worked out too.
2. Take several pairs of goggles. Have them on the ready. One dark/mirrored, one light tint, one clear. You should have worn all...not NEW goggles.
3. Scope the competition. Try to find folks, if you can, that you know you are close in speed to. Try to know where the fast folks are, where the slow pokes are.....avoid the pokes!
4. Use body glide or similar substances.....it helps!
Those are just some of mine from my experience.
Former Member
My moms favorite tips for me were:
1 - Have fun!!
2 - Don't drown
:D
My opinions regarding the Noodler at the NYC Tri would better be expressed on a completely different thread.
As far as starting position, the longer the swim distance to the first turn buoy, the less it matters, I would guess. My open water swim on Labor Day weekend will be as the swimmer in a Tri relay team (Hy-Vee tri in Des Moines). The distance to the first buoy is considerably shorter than my swim this past weekend.
You have all given me a great deal to ponder.
I will weigh my options carefully.
Check out the noodler in this video
‪NYC Tri 2011 swim‬ - YouTube
:eek:
I have never seen *anything* like that. And I'm not just talking about the noodler, though the noodler does take the :cake:.
