Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

2011-07-20 2:34 PM

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

So, after many triathlons, I will encounter a "first" at my race on Sunday. The swim is a time trial (3 second) start and we cannot get in the water prior to the race (eek!). It's in the Mississippi, ewww.... Getting wet before the race has been my sure fire way to avoid panic, so I am concerned about this.

I will wear my wetsuit and I am more than prepared for the distance, but the start makes me nervous.

What advice do you have to accomplish this with the least amount of trouble? I assume we're jumping in, I cannot recall any beach access at the start. I know I am going in feet first. Is it okay to get off to the side a little and take my time to get going? I think that trying to jump and swim, all at once, is making me nervous. This is probably very simple, but I thought I would ask.

abier

2011-07-20 2:46 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Veteran

480

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Eww is right, and you're closer to the head waters. Old Muddy has half the midwests' crud in it before it gets down here, no way I'll swim in it.

On your start, I imagine they'll have you alternate left/right to space it out a little more. I'd say jump in, take a few strokes to avoid getting pounded, then take a second to get your bearings and head out. Sounds fun except for the nasty water part!

abier

2011-07-20 2:46 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Veteran

480

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Eww is right, and you're closer to the head waters. Old Muddy has half the midwests' crud in it before it gets down here, no way I'll swim in it.

How does that double post thing happen?

Edited by abier 2011-07-20 2:47 PM

dukekern

2011-07-20 2:55 PM

in reply to: #3606673

Member

112

Madison, WI

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

double post? That never happens to me

dukekern

2011-07-20 2:55 PM

in reply to: #3606673

Member

112

Madison, WI

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

double post? That never happens to me

brigby1

2011-07-20 3:20 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Master

10208

Northern IL

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Most places would highly encourage feet first, or even require it. Get in, take a few strokes to get out of the way and then get your bearings. Any idea what might cause anxiety or know anything else you might experience? They usually don't like people to step to the side, they want to get people in and moving. It's not bad, don't think, just do it.

halfmarathondon

2011-07-20 3:40 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Veteran

648

St Louis, Missouri

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Where is it, if I may ask?

I just did a Tri in the Tennessee river. That would be very cool to do one in the Mississippi. Especially since the Mississippi is too treacherous here in StL to even wade in.

ubersteiny

2011-07-20 3:42 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Extreme Veteran

655

Victoria

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

for time trial starts are you allowed to go in the water first to let the water in the suit? or do you have to do that once you jump in?

2011-07-20 3:44 PM

in reply to: #3606878

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

ubersteiny - 2011-07-20 3:42 PM for time trial starts are you allowed to go in the water first to let the water in the suit? or do you have to do that once you jump in?

We cannot enter the water until we are actually shoved in to get started

2011-07-20 3:44 PM

in reply to: #3606872

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

halfmarathondon - 2011-07-20 3:40 PM

Where is it, if I may ask?

I just did a Tri in the Tennessee river. That would be very cool to do one in the Mississippi. Especially since the Mississippi is too treacherous here in StL to even wade in.

St. Paul, so pretty close to the top

2011-07-20 3:46 PM

in reply to: #3606886

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

I am hoping the chance to swim on my own, and not in a mass start, will make up for the anxiety caused by the fast start. I think my biggest worry is getting too flustered trying to keep up the schedule and feeling like I am being shoved into the water. I still plug my nose when I jump into water, aside from the 4 foot lap pool

kziemer

2011-07-20 3:49 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Extreme Veteran

837

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

I might suggest doing a bike or run warm up before the race so you are at least warmed and ready to go. If you can jump in the day before to get your bearings, maybe try that.

Otherwise, in the TT swim starts I've done, I scuttled down the embankment, waded in a bit and took a soft belly flop/dive into the water to get out of the way. After a few hard strokes, I took it down to my normal race pace.

It will feel frantic because there's a lot going on, but once you get past the first 50m, you should be fine.

halfmarathondon

2011-07-20 3:57 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Veteran

648

St Louis, Missouri

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Thanks!! I'll be there next year!

Chattanooga was a TT start. We slid into the river feet first off a dock 10 at a time, then waded to the start line. The water was 82 so no wet suit. But had it been wet suit legal, you would have had time to get some water in your suit.

Good luck, you'll do just fine.

jford2309

2011-07-20 4:16 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Pro

5761

Bartlett, TN

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

My next race is a TT start (every 3 seconds) and we start off a dock, so everyone, well not everyone< but a lot of us dive right in and start swimming. No need for a wetsuit here in Memphis either.

In the past, there have been cannonballers, divers and just step offs into the water. There should be plenty of room to not get on the racer in front of you. I wouldnt worry about it that much, once in the water, it is like any other tri swim.

**If you do dive in, make sure the goggles are on tight**

2011-07-20 4:22 PM

in reply to: #3606967

Champion

10020

, Minnesota

Bronze member

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

Thanks everyone - I feel better after getting it off my chest. I can promise I won't dive in, unless pushed and taken off guard, but I will keep my hands on my goggles just in case

2011-07-20 4:45 PM

in reply to: #3606975

Subject: ...

This user's post has been ignored.

colinphillips

2011-07-20 10:00 PM

in reply to: #3606640

Master

2563

University Park, MD

Subject: RE: Time trial, jump in, swim start advice

I had the same recently in the Washington DC Tri. I expected major ewww in the Potomac, and was concerned about not being able to splash about a little to relax before the start. But it turned out to be just fine. First, you just don't have much time to think about it, so you have to just jump in and go. Second, the advantage of a TT start is that you don't get so much of the congestion at the start that you get in a wave start, so that makes it a bit easier to get your bearings in the first couple of hundred yards. You may see more traffic later in the swim, because the faster and slower swimmers don't sort themselves out so well. But overall it was rather better than I had expected.