First Tri with a pool swim!

[luckeeesmom]

How does the swim portion of a triathlon work if it is held in a pool? I did my first tri last weekend but it was an open water swim and I'm thinking of doing a short memorial day sprint on Monday. I read that people start 15 seconds apart for the pool swim but can someone explain how it really works? Do you stay in your swimming lane the entire time and just have to pass each other?

Thanks!

[teawoman]

How does the swim portion of a triathlon work if it is held in a pool? I did my first tri last weekend but it was an open water swim and I'm thinking of doing a short memorial day sprint on Monday. I read that people start 15 seconds apart for the pool swim but can someone explain how it really works? Do you stay in your swimming lane the entire time and just have to pass each other?

Thanks!

Yes. In the ones I've been in, you are put in groups (heats) according to the speed you report--maybe 4-5 in each lane and just tap toes to pass (not that I ever do ). More civilized than ow, from what I've heard , meaning that I've never been kicked in a pool swim, but have yet to do my first ow.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Lifesgreat]

I did a pool tri last Saturday. The athletes grouped together with those who swam the distance at roughly the same time. Then we lined up and every ten seconds, one athlete crossed the timing line and jumped into the pool (I don't recommend diving as the pool may be crowded). The lanes were very full. While I liked it better than an open water swim, there was still some accidental kicking and passing collisions going on. I learned if one is a slower swimmer, there is a wide variety of strokes used and even those who will walk the distance (which is legal as far as I know). This led to "clogs" where I had to stop in the middle of the pool and wait to pass. There was an "up and back" in a lane, then I had to duck under the lane line to another "up and back" until I swam 300 meters-a serpentine. It isn't as peaceful as swimming practice laps. It was more like an open water swim.

So to sum it up, depending on the length of the pool and of the swim, there could many athletes going both directions in each lane. I could pass, but had to wait until the oncoming traffic allowed for it.

Good luck and you will have a GREAT time!

[alpinerabbit]

How do you walk the swim portion - you mean "walk" - as "on ground" ?

[Lifesgreat]

How do you walk the swim portion - you mean "walk" - as "on ground" ?

Yes, until the pool gets too deep to walk. I think USAT rules say you can move through the water in whatever way you want as long as you don't have any outside help or use any equipment to do so. Because of the clogs in the middle of the lane, I ended up walking some of it-it destroys a fast swim time

[HillSlugger]

My pool swim tri was like Lifesgreat's, with a "snake swim": up and back then under the rope into the next lane, repeat x5. I've read about one with heats where you get a half lane all to yourself, and a 10minute time limit to finish your swim. I'd find that preferable.

[Tri Girl]

Everyone described it just right.
I prefer OWS because I once had a head on collision with someone who was passing and not looking where they were going. If the lanes are wide, it's just fine. If the lanes are narrow, it can be a little tight.
Give me a lake anytime. I'll most likely swim farther than I'm supposed to, but no head on collisions, or slow people (who fibbed about their swim time) to slow me down.

It just depends on your preferences. Some people LOVE pool swims, some people hate them. You won't know until you give it a try...
Have fun if you do the tri on Monday, and tell us all about it.

[teawoman]

me. I'll most likely swim farther than I'm supposed to, but no head on collisions, or slow people (who fibbed about their swim time) to slow me down.

Yeah I think it depends on the size of the tri. Most of ours are smallish.

[teawoman]

Yes, until the pool gets too deep to walk. I think USAT rules say you can move through the water in whatever way you want as long as you don't have any outside help or use any equipment to do so. Because of the clogs in the middle of the lane, I ended up walking some of it-it destroys a fast swim time

WALKING!! That is nuts!

[HillSlugger]

WALKING!! That is nuts!

Been there, done that! When it gets really congested, it can be your only option for moving forward!

[teawoman]

Been there, done that! When it gets really congested, it can be your only option for moving forward!

I see that, but the way I read it she was talking of people who walked the whole distance!

[HillSlugger]

I see that, but the way I read it she was talking of people who walked the whole distance!

I doubt that it's anyone's plan going in, but it wouldn't surprise me at all!

[teawoman]

Ok, I can see that in the world of tri's I'm an innocent small-town gurl.

[Lifesgreat]

I see that, but the way I read it she was talking of people who walked the whole distance!

Yes, I believe one can walk the whole way, but it would get hard if the water gets over 6 feet deep I have heard of people walking the entire swim leg, but I have never done it or seen it done.


Tri Girl, if my wetsuit wasn't always trying to kill me, I would much prefer an open water swim.

[SlowButSteady]

I did a tri with a girl who walked the whole thing.

Embarrasing--she beat me.