Just did my first sprint tri -- got 'blocked in' in the swim!

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2009-07-20 4:41 PM


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Subject: Just did my first sprint tri -- got 'blocked in' in the swim!
I had a great first triathlon -- thanks to a lot of the advice I have heard here. Thanks! 

I was all prepared for the OWS. No panic, started at an even pace, etc. When I was ready to speed up, 2 interesting things happened:

1. I couldn't really 'see' how far along I was in the race. I was sighting, but didn't count the buoys ahead of time, nor note where things were on the beach.  I had kind of planned in my head to swim in hard, starting at about half-way. But couldn't gage where 'half way' was!

Next time, count buoys ahead of time, check to see if there is a lifeguard chair on the beach or something tall near the halfway point of the swim

2.  I had someone to the left, front and right of me that were all swimming at exactly, EXACTLY, my same pace. I was waiting for an opening to make my break... and it really never came. I kept popping my head up to see if perhaps I could get inbetween somebody, and before i knew it, I was at the last buoy. 

So, next time...I'm not waiting for that opening!  But do I just plow through? I didn't really want to get physical -- I would have definitely touched someone, maybe even pushed someone, if I had tried to get through. Is that what I'm supposed to do?

2009-07-20 4:54 PM
in reply to: #2297074

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Subject: RE: Just did my first sprint tri -- got 'blocked in' in the swim!
Good lesson on the first point, yes, count the buoys before the race.  It's a tip you don't see often here

As for #2.  Just be polite.  If you can squeeze between a couple people, fine, but try not to just plow through.  If these people were slowing you down, if you can't get between them (and touching is fine, no pummeling), just slow down a bt and get around the outside.

Funny thing is, though, when you are drafting well, it may get a lot harder when you go out on your own

Congrats on the first tri!
2009-07-20 4:58 PM
in reply to: #2297098

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Subject: RE: Just did my first sprint tri -- got 'blocked in' in the swim!

ChrisM - 2009-07-20 2:54 PM Good lesson on the first point, yes, count the buoys before the race.  It's a tip you don't see often here

As for #2.  Just be polite.  If you can squeeze between a couple people, fine, but try not to just plow through.  If these people were slowing you down, if you can't get between them (and touching is fine, no pummeling), just slow down a bt and get around the outside.

Funny thing is, though, when you are drafting well, it may get a lot harder when you go out on your own

Congrats on the first tri!

x2  If it's crowded on the swim, and the people around you are going "your pace", tuck in on someone's feet if you aren't already there and enjoy the easy ride back to T1.  You won't save much time pushing out on your own, but you'll sure feel much better once you get to T1 if you put out a lot less effort on the swim.

2009-07-20 4:59 PM
in reply to: #2297074

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Subject: RE: Just did my first sprint tri -- got 'blocked in' in the swim!
ChrisM is exactly right on the second point---if you are having a smooth "easy" swim but NOT being really slowed down just stay put and use that extra energy on the bike/run---you can have to tap a lot more effort then you think to "get through" or go around.
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