General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3? Rss Feed  
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2017-02-28 7:02 PM

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
My last two races were HIM's. But, I had shoulder surgery on 12/14 and haven't swum since early Nov.

I'm using bands now to mimic swimming, but I'm just starting with that. I may or may not get in the pool in the next few days. It's gonna be dependent on how the shoulder feels.

So, I'm signed up for Chattanooga 70.3. I AM NOT A SWIMMER....lol. My times in my last two were 36:xx (lake) and 29:xx (downstream). Both were wetsuit swims. Chattanooga will most likely be wetsuit legal. I have NO delusions of grandeur. With my recent medical situation, I'd be taking it really easy.

I've really only been swimming for a year and a half or so. I have no idea how the layoff's gonna affect me. Hence my question....


2017-02-28 8:50 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Ventura, California
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?

I would say just get in the pool asap. Even if your shoulder is abit sore, just shorten your stoke and go easy. Change it up, focus on kick sets to offset the weaker shoulder. Swim with one arm. Just look to Jason Lester for inspiration whom did Ultraman with one arm, yes that is a 6.2 mile swim!

Even dog paddle, just get in the water and get wet you will figure out what to do from there. You know where you need to be for a 70.3, so just get down to that pool and jump in.

 

Jason Lester:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1192706-jason-lester-never-let-disability-stop-him-from-becoming-an-ultra-man

 

 

 

2017-03-01 6:01 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
Not sure if it would help with a sore shoulder and YMMV, but I found it useful when I had an elbow injury. I've also done this occasionally when I've had a cramp or muscle strain that makes doing or finishing a workout otherwise painful or impossible:

Fins (the flexible kind) take some strain off the arms (by giving your legs more propulsive force) and make it possible for you to go through the range of motion with less pressure on the arms. You could start by gradually building yardage with fins (if that works, and actually causes less soreness, and your ankles can tolerate them), and then slowly increasing the percentage of each workout that you are doing without them.
2017-03-01 10:36 AM
in reply to: Hot Runner

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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
That's exactly what I was thinking (start with fins).

Honestly, unless someone tells me differently, I may do mostly all of my swimming with fins.......PB.....then core shorts. My race will be WL. I don't see the down-side (and it'll keep a load off my shoulder).

2017-03-01 2:56 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Overland Park, KS
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
When I fractured my collar bone I swam for a while with one arm. That actually helped my stroke overall as body position was improved. I didn't swim more than 100 yards at a time but doing things like 10x100 and 20x100 is what you should be doing anyhow.

If I had a set of say 12x100 I would use the PB every 4th swim. I would still push the pace but I still got a "rest" of sorts out of it and the 100 swim right after that was faster than #3 before the PB.
2017-03-01 9:42 PM
in reply to: #5214700

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Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
Chattanooga is an easy swim. 300-400 meters up river before you turn and go down river to the finish. I was in a similar position as you...broke my collarbone Aug 2015 and didn't really start swimming much until Nov/Dec 2015. I swam it 30 seconds slower this past year versus 2015...so about the same. I did what others have mentioned...swam a lot of one arm and did some kick sets until I got clearance to swim normally. It may take some time to hit your prior paces so try to be patient. What you do need is endurance; otherwise, your bike and run will suffer. You'll want to build your main sets up to say 10-15 x 200 on short rest.


2017-03-08 2:12 PM
in reply to: rjcalhoun

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DC
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
Wetsuit friendly? I too can barely swim to save my life (two-time IM finisher though) & don't do enough to change it, i.e., hit the pool. I have reserved to accept that I'm just a "fast" biker. Point is, you're NOT alone!
2017-08-30 10:19 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
When I was at my peak in swimming I focused mainly on form! Correct form will take you way way further than hours in the pool pushing the pace and getting sloppy with form. Swim fresh and get in short intervals (like 50yds and 100yds) focusing on form. Definitely try a few longer swims (maybe once a month) just to make sure you feel okay by the end and not worn out. You should finish your swim still feeling fresh and really just warmed up. But shoot for frequent shorter swims focusing on form. As far as minimal... I'm actually facing the same question now. I'm hoping to do a HIM next summer and I'm going to try and get away with two swims per week. Time will tell how that works out! Good luck with your shoulder.
2017-08-30 3:50 PM
in reply to: nc452010

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Birmingham, Alabama
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
Originally posted by nc452010

So, I'm signed up for Chattanooga 70.3.


Hey, me too. My understanding is that it's an easier race for swimmers since it's mostly a downhill swim. Great race for strong cyclists, but I'm doing it any way.
2017-08-30 3:51 PM
in reply to: marti038

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Birmingham, Alabama
Subject: RE: Minimal swimming to get ready for 70.3?
Originally posted by marti038

Originally posted by nc452010

So, I'm signed up for Chattanooga 70.3.


Hey, me too. My understanding is that it's an easier race for swimmers since it's mostly a downhill swim. Great race for strong cyclists, but I'm doing it any way.


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