Is it wrong to do the breast stroke?

FWIW....

I went into my first tri with the same plan....I did finish the swim, back stroke, FASTER than I had ever swam the breast in the pool and I payed for it when the run came around. (Think backstroke style making snow angels, so the same "kick" as the breast stroke.

If this is the only way you'll finish your first DO IT that way.  Just finish the first!!!!  It's VERY fun.  But keep working on the freestyle.  Now that is the only way I swim in the pool.  I force myself to keep working on it.

So yes you can swim that way to get it done but you'll probably work very hard to avoid doing it during your second as I am.

Good luck and have tons of fun like I did and will again.

Let me add to the chorus of "Do whatever gets you from the start to the finish"!

My first tri, I got through one lap of freestyle, managed to swallow half the pool, near panicked and then flipped over and backstroked the rest of it, no problem.

Have a great time!!

I've done two HIM swims doing mostly breast stroke as I was not a very strong swimmer when I started out.  As I have progressed I've gotten better and will only do it a few strokes to sight occassionally and the rest as freestyle.

Do whatever it takes to get you through the race, just be careful of others when you are kicking.  Nothing worse than getting a swift kick to the nutz from someone breast stroking as you are trying to pass.

If at all possible...Do an OWS BEFORE the race.  I didn't and freaked a bit.  I grew up swimming in open water and still do, but not competitively.  It's completely different.  Plus you're already a bit nervous.  I honestly was not but still 100yds in...freak time.   Just did the back stroke. 

Just remember this...your goal is to FINISH...that said relax do whatever stroke you want and KNOW you are not going to drown.

Good luck and most of all enjoy it.

Thanks for the input...I am preparing for the worst and just being realistic about all to expect.  I will not have an opportunity for an OWS which I know will be a disadvantage.  Talking to as many people as possible and reading sure has helped with gathering all the "reality" of what's to come.  I am so grateful to have this opportunity to challenge myself mentally and physically-which makes everything(no matter what) WAY worth it!  I couldn't imagine going into this without the homework! 

For some people it IS that difficult. I breast stroked all of my first THREE races, one of which was a half iron.

Two years later I'm going to KONA.

Do what you whatever is the most comfortable. Swimming freestyle in a race takes time

Good luck!

Thanks for the reassurance...I could not believe how difficult freestyle was for me- I gave it the valiant effort.  The amount of exertion and water intake(leading to frustration and panic) made me realize that I would not be realistic (given my training time frame)to choose this as my stroke for now. 

With this, it has taken a lot of pressure off and has given me hope of conserving the energy needed to give it all in the remainder of the race!

What a great thread to read!  I'm a 'closet breast stroker'.  Glad to hear that someone did a half ironman with breast stroke.  My breast stroke is actually faster than my front crawl.  I *am* working on my front crawl, though.  And it is definitely harder to breast stroke wearing a wet suit.

Tracy

whatever it takes... it also gives you a chance to take a breather or do some sighting..

for your first couple of races I would let the wave go for about 10-20 seconds and then start swimming...

it allows them to spread out a bit if and when you catch up to some of them and it also allows you to start in a nice rhythm...

good luck...