First OWS

[Bike Chick]

DH, our training partner and I finally got the nerve to join the local tri club at the lake last night for the Monday night swim. DH and partner took off with the group while I stood on the shore watching them swim away. Yes, I'm a chicken sh*t! I finally got in the water and swam out 25 yards, then back, then out a little more, then back, then a little more. One of the group swam with me and coached me through the swim as far as I wanted to go. I didn't do the full 1/4 mile but I relaxed and actually enjoyed it. They were all a great help giving us pointers and encouragement. It felt like the first night DH and I rode our new bikes 6 years ago. I got 3 miles from home on that bike and worried about making it back:D

We have all 3 signed up for our first ows tri this Sunday. I'm really looking forward to it. Wish me luck please. Any pointers are welcome.

[JennK13]

I suck at swimming, but good luck!! The one thing I remember that the OWS instructor said was to breathe back into your armpit as opposed to the side -that way you don't get slapped in the face with waves. Whenever I get smacked it reminds me to do that :p

[OakLeaf]

Yay! Good luck! All I can tell you is don't be ashamed to breast stroke. :D:p

[colby]

I agree with the breaststroke - my very first tri I swam on my swimming endurance alone without a whole lot of practice let alone in open water, and the adrenaline really got the best of me. There were so many people, it was all so new and exciting, I was overwhelmed. I breaststroked a lot more than I expected, though I did it fast and still managed to pass a lot of people. I didn't panic and the water temperature didn't really scare me, I just couldn't calm down into a race pace.

I would be prepared that you may panic a little bit, and that's okay - just take a few deep breaths and swim your own race. You can make it! You WANT to get through the swim so you can ride that sweet bike! Think about things in baby steps: reach the first buoy, swim 20 strokes, whatever it takes to just keep going.

Good luck!

[Bike Chick]

Thanks, guys. I will remember what I've been told. What worries me is that I really suck at the breast stroke:eek: Great idea, Colby, I'll just keep thinking about riding that bike! I may be the last one out of the water but I'll do it if I have to dog paddle!

[taxmuffin]

Congrats! It is all about confidence -- the more you practice, the more it will be second nature.

[sfa]

The best advice I got after my first OWS (which was not quite a disaster and complete freak-out, but pretty close) was to look at the sky when you breathe. Sure, it slows you down a little bit since you have to roll a little bit extra with each breath, but for some reason looking at the sky while doing an OWS helps me relax and, oddly, keeps me grounded.

And, yeah, breast stroke. I already do that in the pool about half the time, so doing it during an OWS is nothing different for me, but it's the stroke that makes it easier to negotiate around people.

Sarah

[roadie gal]

Just go at your own pace. Don't let the people splashing around you freak you out or push you into going faster than you want.

[GLC1968]

I agree with the breaststroke - my very first tri I swam on my swimming endurance alone without a whole lot of practice let alone in open water, and the adrenaline really got the best of me. There were so many people, it was all so new and exciting, I was overwhelmed. I breaststroked a lot more than I expected, though I did it fast and still managed to pass a lot of people. I didn't panic and the water temperature didn't really scare me, I just couldn't calm down into a race pace.


This was me, except sub in 'side-stroke' for breaststroke and you have my first OWS experience exactly. For whatever reason, breaststroke is uncomfortable for me in my wetsuit. Side-stroke felt better. :o

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine! :)

[Bike Chick]

make a plan for this-- do you breathe bilaterally, or only on one side?

I only breathe on one side. I've been practicing side breath, side breath, front breath, side breath, side breath, front breath, but I know that I may forget everything when I get in the water:eek:

I will picture all of you standing on shore cheering me on while I swim and repeating everything you've told me in my head. Breath in your armpit, look at the sky, stay calm, rotate, STAY CALM, breast stroke, side stroke, STAY CALM. Thanks everyone for all your help and encouragement!

[GabbyGirl]

One thing that I learned and helped me was to only think about swimming from bouy to bouy. It helps break the swim up into "doable" legs. Also, if you start to panic just roll over on your back and float--look at the sky and that will help calm you down. I thought i was going to panic but I didn't. I found that most of my anxiety came prior to getting in the water and once i was in there and swimming it turned out to be rather easy. You will do great. Try to relax and have lots of fun.

[colby]

This was me, except sub in 'side-stroke' for breaststroke and you have my first OWS experience exactly. For whatever reason, breaststroke is uncomfortable for me in my wetsuit. Side-stroke felt better. :o

Yes, breaststroke in a wetsuit is a new level of challenge ;)

[Bike Chick]

Oh, my! I bet, Colby. I hadn't thought of that.

This will be my mantra on Sunday...........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmyUkm2qlhA

[colby]

One thing that I learned and helped me was to only think about swimming from bouy to bouy. It helps break the swim up into "doable" legs. Also, if you start to panic just roll over on your back and float--look at the sky and that will help calm you down. I thought i was going to panic but I didn't. I found that most of my anxiety came prior to getting in the water and once i was in there and swimming it turned out to be rather easy. You will do great. Try to relax and have lots of fun.

Hey Gabby, welcome to our humble abode. :)

[GabbyGirl]

Thanks Colby

[Bike Chick]

Well ladies, my first attempt at my ows was well, how can I say, embarrassing. I was so prepared and ready to do this. I practiced in the lake before the start and went over every pointer you had given me. I was ready! The horn blew, everyone took off, I stayed back by myself but there were still bodies, bubbles and limbs everywhere. I could only swim a couple strokes at a time without stopping because of the crowd and then I hit a mental wall. I froze and couldn't swim another stroke. I breaststroked a while and tried to go on but everything in my head was saying "you are too slow, you can't do this, stop, you are so far behind (I wasn't)." I waited a while, flipped on my back, looked at the sky, argued with myself but couldn't force myself to keep swimming. My arms and legs were like lead and I couldn't get my breath. I turned and swam back to shore. My dignity was crushed and I was so embarrassed I couldn't look at anyone. I was further than I realized when I stopped--almost to the first bouy--but it was a major mind blow to say the least.

The director of the race came over to check on me, was very reassuring and told me that this happens to lots of people. He also told me to run to cross the mat to TI after the last swimmer came in. I responded that it was cheating and he told me the experience was good and I needed to finish the race. I actually had taken my chip off and tried to hand it in but they insisted. So I waited on the last swimmer to cross and I followed a bit ashamed but glad that I did. The bike and run were good and I ended up having a great time.

I learned two things today: 1) I need lots more practice on the swim---I can swim the distance, I just lack the confidence; and 2) I can come in last on the swim and still not finish last in the race. I was strong on the bike (the new bike is awesome) and good for me on the run. My total time was 1:40

It was an experience to say the least but a good one. DH and training partner did great...DH took first in his age group and training partner took second in his. They were still proud of me even though I freaked on the swim and we had a great time. Thanks everyone for your support and help.

[Alex]

Great job making lemonade out of lemons and I'm glad you got to ride your bike! I saw one of those at last weekend's race, and it looks like a party on wheels with that color scheme. :-)

You'll do it next time!

[roadie gal]

I'm glad the race director did that for you. Good for you for doing the rest of the race!

It's amazing how "mental" OWS-ing is in a race. It's much more so than the bike or run. You just can't anticipate it until you're there and see it for yourself. Now that you know what it's about and you can work on it for the next race.

[OakLeaf]

Good job getting through the swim. And great job on the rest of it ... especially on thinking of it as a good experience. :)

At the Trek Women race I did, they told everyone about their "swim sisters," volunteers who help out anyone who panics in the water. It's common enough that they recruit volunteers for the purpose at every race.

Next time you'll be doubly ready - physically and mentally. :D

[sfa]

How cool that the race director let you do that! And good for you for pulling yourself together and finishing the rest of the race. Congratulations!!

Sarah

[Bike Chick]

Alex, a party on wheels is such a good description. It feels like it when you are on it going 23 mph in the flats. Woo! Hoo!

Oak, what a cool idea. I sure could've used a swim sister yesterday and in retrospect, I've been through all the coulda, shoulda, woulda's and know what to expect next time and what I need to work on.

I really don't know what can prepare you for that except for just doing it. I signed up for the race for the experience and I certainly got my money's worth:D

Training Partner reminded me today that when we started training for our first tri two years ago, I was afraid to even put my face in the water and I overcame that, then I couldn't get past the deep end of the pool without panicing and I overcame that. I've come along way in two years and I will overcome this too. It's great to have the support of dh, training partner and all of you. Thanks everyone!

[colby]

Oak, what a cool idea. I sure could've used a swim sister yesterday and in retrospect, I've been through all the coulda, shoulda, woulda's and know what to expect next time and what I need to work on.

I really don't know what can prepare you for that except for just doing it. I signed up for the race for the experience and I certainly got my money's worth:D

The Swim Sisters/Angels/whatever is a really cool idea, the Danskin series also does it. The womens tri here just has a TON of kayaks, which is great, but they don't do as much personal support with pool noodles. ;) If I didn't race, I think I'd do that.

For my friend's first open water tri, it happened very much like you describe. She just couldn't swim, so much was swirling in her head. Someone was there to talk her through it, and that's what made her go on. She nearly did exactly what you did - and I wouldn't have faulted her for it either. It was very awesome that they let you continue the race and get the experience of your SWEET RIDE and the run.

You learned from it, and that makes it a success. Next time you'll know what to expect, you'll know how it will feel, and you'll know that you can finish the race. There really is no way to know how it'll feel until you're there, and I promise it gets easier every time. :) Congratulations - not finishing the swim but finishing the race is way better than not finishing at all which is a million times better than not starting the race. As they say, the woman that finishes the race is not the woman that starts.

[Bike Chick]

I practiced with the tri club at the lake tonight and swam all the way to the first bouy and back! 400 yds.....open water....without stopping....no panic attack! Woo Hoo!!! And I enjoyed it!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! :D

[colby]

i practiced with the tri club at the lake tonight and swam all the way to the first bouy and back! 400 yds.....open water....without stopping....no panic attack! Woo hoo!!! And i enjoyed it!

yay!

[katluvr]

Girl, I can relate! Last year for my first tri my SO sacrificed her time to swim with me. All tri's around here are open water...either lakes (murky) or the gulf or bay. Usually the are protected areas with minimal waves.
It has been helpful to read all these posts, that stopping, breast stroke or floating is all part of the swim.
K