General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water. Rss Feed  
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2009-08-15 7:23 PM

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Kathmandu, Nepal
Subject: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.
Hi everyone! 

So, I am doing a Tri to get back in shape from a knee injury.  I love all three sports, except I am getting increasingly nervous and almost 'less-sure' of myself each day.  I have already emailed the race director three times and the race is over a month away! (hah poor guy...).

I got into the pool a few weeks ago (during the injury) and began swimming; it was going great, and I loved the water.  I could get a good rhythm going with a decent stroke that felt completely natural and do an average of a 14 min 1/2 mile, constantly improving.  However, I have a serious fear of ocean water.  I tried, really hard, to over come it.  So I swam in Niantic Bay... (when i visited home in CT).. and I was stung by jellies 3 times, ran into lots of sea weed, and became frustratingly discouraged.  The life guards were nice enough to lather my spreading rashes with numbing sting ointment but they probably thought I was crazy for going in and out of the water 3 times and pacing the beach...  I can barely swim 50 yards in the ocean without losing my rhythm, choking, eating a fish fillet... or picturing jaws!

I think I would do much better if I could swim with, well, anyone.  Just being alone in the ocean is something that adds to my discomfort, and I don' t think its that safe either!  Since I am currently Tri-friendless, I know--so sad, nor do I know many people in Mass... I was wondering if anyone does some open water swimming, or would be willing to get out into the ocean with me once, or twice..or any time before Sept 27th?  Or maybe there is a group that I can tag along with in some open water swims? I am entered in the Nantasket race.   

I know its the end of the season, but really .. mine is short and has just begun! 


2009-08-16 8:09 PM
in reply to: #2350869

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Subject: RE: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.
Hi!  Welcome to the world of tris...I just started this summer and I am loving them  I signed up for natasket also.  It will be my 4th but my 1st ocean swim.  I would be up for meeting up with you as I need some ocean practice too as all mine has been pool or lake. Keep your eye out on the Mass threads too...there have been some Nahant beach meet ups and maybe others I haven't noticed as well.
2009-08-16 9:30 PM
in reply to: #2350869

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Subject: RE: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.

Welcome.  I am not sure of my schedule next Sat, but if I am around, I will head over to Nantasket for a swim.  I will know better mid week.

2009-08-17 6:41 AM
in reply to: #2350869

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Subject: RE: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.
Hey Sarahbobo,

This too is my first season and i also entered the nantasket tri.  Looked fun.  I am free most weekends and have been trying to hook up with the nahant group for the last couple of weeks to no avail.   I know what you mean about swimming alone in the ocean.  I go to Cranes beach and just swim paralell to the beach.  Would love to hook up and swim togetherCool

Seren
2009-08-17 11:40 AM
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Subject: RE: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.
Last year was my first tri season, and this was my last race of the year. Last year, they had a "new and nervous" swim wave that went last, which was very cool. If they're doing it this year, I'd strongly recommend it.

It's a well-run and well-organized race. They have lots - LOTS - of support kayaks out there, and the people in them were very helpful. I still tend to panic in open water, and I end up doing a maddening, frustrating, wetsuit-aided dog paddle. The kayakers asked me if I was OK, made sure I was going in the right direction, and let me do my thing.

You've chosen a good race. Now, train, relax, and enjoy.
2009-08-17 2:04 PM
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Savin Hill
Subject: RE: New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water.
 I am new to the sport myself but growing up was a member of uss swim team (also from Ct and one of the most dominating teams in the area ) and ran indoor track outdoor track and cross country though high school and college in Maine. I would highly recomend dont swim alone in the ocean, if so, first get a noodle you can ask anyone on here about them they all know what they are and you can get them at ocean state job lot or bennys there cheap. If you are gonna swim alone stay in water about waiste high and if your uncomfortable with the ocean find a beach that is very sandy has great visability no rocks or seaweed, the bay side on cape cod has the best one in Dennis. Chapin beach and Mayflower beach, No jellyfish, its on the bayside so there are next to no waves something like this is the most comfortable place to start learning. Its about 1hr and 15min from the heart of Boston but well worth the trip to help ease  you into open water swimming. Last time I was there I swam from beach to beach (about a mile) and saw one rock, no animal life and could see 20 yards in any direction (cant get any better in New England).  As for jaws the waters on the bay side are about 5 to 10 degees colder so he'd rather stay on the warm side of the cape lol. Dont let your mind physc you out. As far as lossing your rhythm expect it there are no lanes in triathlons and people are every where in the water so your constantly checking for markers and swimmers and the best line. I just finished my first and finished top three in the newbies at sharon so belive me its alot diferent then a swim race but at the same time your worries (for me it was pond water and snapping turtles, I always loved the ocean) go out the window because you figure the person next to you, or the other 500 swimmers probably tastes better than you  


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » New to Tri and Mass.. and ...water. Rss Feed