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

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

[OakLeaf]

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

[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 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.

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

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.

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