How much do triathlete need to learn about swimming?
Former Member
I do not mean this as a heartless criticism of triathletes. I actually enjoy the sport. But many of them start doing triathlons with almost no knowledge or experience in swimming. Here are a couple of choice comments to the thread I linked below. Thank goodness I knew how to ride a bike and run before I started doing tris - but not well. Give them credit for taking it on, but I do think they should learn to swim before entering one.
"The swim is short ( 150 yards ), and I can make it..not without stopping a couple of times at the end of the pool."
"A lot of pool sprints are so newbie friendly that they let you get through the water any way you can. I have seen people water walk the 300 meters in a pool swim in my area."
"My wife did an indoor tri a few months ago and I think 1/4 of the people walked the swim."
I recommended that the person do breaststroke.
www.beginnertriathlete.com/.../thread-view.asp
Parents
Former Member
I've done quite a few tris over the years and I sorta agree with you. However, the bluster is usually not on par with the actual training.
lol. So true of many, but in the older (50+) AGs I think we have a more realistic view of what we've put in, and what we can expect back.
I also think MOP and BOP are two terms that need to be banished. I don't know why they are used so often, other than to simply annoy me.
I absolutely agree, but I think they need to add RUF (Right Up Front) so I can boast about my swim results.
I've done quite a few tris over the years and I sorta agree with you. However, the bluster is usually not on par with the actual training.
lol. So true of many, but in the older (50+) AGs I think we have a more realistic view of what we've put in, and what we can expect back.
I also think MOP and BOP are two terms that need to be banished. I don't know why they are used so often, other than to simply annoy me.
I absolutely agree, but I think they need to add RUF (Right Up Front) so I can boast about my swim results.
