Catch a wave...Or the swimming thread

[kacie tri-ing]

Hello!

I just finished my first sprint last weekend and loved it!

I really was training for the 600 m swim, but it felt so much harder than I expected. The bike went faster than I had planned, and the run was right on target.

I tried to calm myself down so that I could pace myself in the swim, but I started WAY too fast anyway. Then I felt claustraphobic in the lake (it was my first open water swim).

Any suggestions for endurance/fear/anxiety in the open water. I am sure that the first suggestion will be practicing the open water swim....if so, where do you practice? How do you do it? How do you not get run over by boats? (I live in atlanta, so our lakes have become smaller by droughts!)

Thanks so much!!!

[jesvetmed]

I just finished my first sprint last weekend and loved it

Congratulations Kacie! It sounds like things really went fine for you... the swim seems to always be what people are freaked about. I asked several people at the stores around here to see where to swim OW. If your local running store people don't do tri's, they know people who do and can usually direct you... unless you are lucky enough to have a tri store or tri club in your area.

KSH: Just saw your post tonight.

So, are you planning on breast stroke during your tri? Have you practiced some in your wetsuit? Have you swam close to that far in a wetsuit?

If not, I encourage you to get it in the pool and swim in it. I know for me the wetsuit changes my stroke some. You might also find it's not easy doing breast stroke in it.

I've also found that a wetsuit constricts my chest cavity and makes me feel like I can't breathe. It's a feeling that you have to get use to.

I'd like to say that I don't plan to do breast stroke, but in reality, it's how I catch my breath when I'm tired swimming. No, haven't swam in the wetsuit yet... that is my plan for next week! I'm heading to Coeur d'alene with a friend and will do a "mini tri" there. If I can get a short "get to know you" swim in earlier than next week around here, I will. Maybe I'll just go to the lake and float around and try some things out -- not really comfortable heading out for a swim across the lake alone.


Overall, had a great swim today -- first time I can say that. I felt stronger and smoother. Just attitude, probably. Got in 1700m today.

[kelownagirl]

How do I store my (dry) wetsuit- inside out or outside in?

[HillSlugger]

How do I store my (dry) wetsuit- inside out or outside in?

I store my right side out, on a hanger in the closet. I'm interested to hear what others do.

[Wahine]

I let mine dry inside out then flip it right side out for storage.

[teigyr]

I got a catalog in the mail last night and saw this:

http://www.finisinc.com/products-tr-...mfulcrum.shtml

Since swimming is mostly about form, does anyone think this would be beneficial? I know my form is sloppy no matter how hard I try. My mentality is to force through it which is wrong, I know. Even though this is a fairly simple toy, I wonder if it could help?

There's also something in there about a device that assists with rotation and core strength.

Does anyone use anything like this?

I've taken lessons and *can* swim, I just tend to forget important things and revert back to my Red Cross swimming days. Then I get tired

[alpinerabbit]

Well, you can use toys all you want except don't do it more than say 10% of your total distance.


There are loads of drills out there that do the same for you, and it would be good to incorporate some tech drills into your swim sessions from now on until the end of time.



Speaking of which.



Last night I had an introduction to TI - our partner club trains that way and I'm joining their training, so I got to go through the whole sequence.

My bottom line is they teach you the same form in the end, splitting it up which is good. Emphasis on body rotation which is fine but not *really* done by the pros (they mostly rotate from their hips if I trust mine eyes on TV), and no emphasis at all on underwater catch and push-thru which gives you power once you have mastered technique.

So a good way to learn but then you have to go on?

What are the opinions out there?