Another Noob OWSwim question

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2009-08-05 2:04 PM


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Subject: Another Noob OWSwim question
I was reading another thread down below and it got me thinking.

I am BRAND NEW to this Tri-thing.  I've been running to get back into shape for the last 6 months or so.  A friend mentioned just a couple of weeks ago about a mini (sprint) triathlon she was doing next year.  Her husband was going to try for one this fall.  Both will be their first.  So I started checking around and there is one in about two months that I'd like to try for.  I'm not trying (yet) to be competitive. Just want to get out there and see how it goes before getting serious.  Like I said, I've been running regularly for six months or so and I'd like to find something new.  I hate running, but it works.

Anyway, i've never been a 'lap'/'stroke' swimmer.  I spent my time in the water as a kid (open lake water for the most part) but never swam laps or any long distances.  Needless to say the swim portion of this thing is going to be the most 'daunting'.

I jumped in the pool yesterday to see if I could do 400 yards without stopping and this is what I found; I can do 400 yards in a pool without stopping (as in 'standing'), BUT I can (at this point) only go about 25 yards freestyle without flipping over on my back for 25 yards to 'rest'.  In fact, i did the 400 yards (may have been meters, I don't know how the pool is measured) in 12 minutes by going 25 free, then 25 modified back-stroke-something-or-other then back to free & so on.  The main problem is that I haven't learned to breath properly in the freestyle stroke.  So basically I'm keeping my head above water and breathing both sides, every stroke.  This is tiring me out so I need to rest.  But it's not to the point where I'm in any trouble.

I will keep practicing my breathing (I have 2 months) to see if I can improve that.  I am not uncomfortable at all in the water (even open water), but I have trouble with the proper breathing technique.

So, I guess my question is this.  If I'm OK going for it and doing this event knowing that I may look like a dork out there swimming with my head above water and flipping over on my back for half the swim (this assumes that I don't make much improvement in the pool over the next 2 months), but I have no fear for my own safety; is that OK with the general racer population in a typical mini-sprint-triathlon?

It might be better to wait a few more months, but I've checked and there aren't many more of these events coming later until next year (even then it's more in the early summer).  I'd like to get one under my belt soon so I can be excited about 'training' to be more competitive later down the road.

Any thoughts?

2009-08-05 2:09 PM
in reply to: #2330040


4

Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question
if your about to black out in the lake do breast instead of back, youll get lost doing back and look really out of place
2009-08-05 2:29 PM
in reply to: #2330040


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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question
There will be people doing all sorts of strokes, so don't worry about flipping over on your back.

I think two months is plenty of time to get your breathing down to the point where you can do the whole thing freestyle.  The first time I went to swim I was exhausted after 25 yards, but I watched one or two videos that showed me how to breath and it made a world of difference.  Within a month I could go over 1,500 meters without a rest.

If you are able to take one or two lessons in the next week or so, that would benefit you greatly.
2009-08-05 2:39 PM
in reply to: #2330040

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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question
SunBum - 2009-08-05 2:04 PM I was reading another thread down below and it got me thinking.

I am BRAND NEW to this Tri-thing.  I've been running to get back into shape for the last 6 months or so.  A friend mentioned just a couple of weeks ago about a mini (sprint) triathlon she was doing next year.  Her husband was going to try for one this fall.  Both will be their first.  So I started checking around and there is one in about two months that I'd like to try for.  I'm not trying (yet) to be competitive. Just want to get out there and see how it goes before getting serious.  Like I said, I've been running regularly for six months or so and I'd like to find something new.  I hate running, but it works.

Anyway, i've never been a 'lap'/'stroke' swimmer.  I spent my time in the water as a kid (open lake water for the most part) but never swam laps or any long distances.  Needless to say the swim portion of this thing is going to be the most 'daunting'.

I jumped in the pool yesterday to see if I could do 400 yards without stopping and this is what I found; I can do 400 yards in a pool without stopping (as in 'standing'), BUT I can (at this point) only go about 25 yards freestyle without flipping over on my back for 25 yards to 'rest'.  In fact, i did the 400 yards (may have been meters, I don't know how the pool is measured) in 12 minutes by going 25 free, then 25 modified back-stroke-something-or-other then back to free & so on.  The main problem is that I haven't learned to breath properly in the freestyle stroke.  So basically I'm keeping my head above water and breathing both sides, every stroke.  This is tiring me out so I need to rest.  But it's not to the point where I'm in any trouble.

I will keep practicing my breathing (I have 2 months) to see if I can improve that.  I am not uncomfortable at all in the water (even open water), but I have trouble with the proper breathing technique.

So, I guess my question is this.  If I'm OK going for it and doing this event knowing that I may look like a dork out there swimming with my head above water and flipping over on my back for half the swim (this assumes that I don't make much improvement in the pool over the next 2 months), but I have no fear for my own safety; is that OK with the general racer population in a typical mini-sprint-triathlon?

It might be better to wait a few more months, but I've checked and there aren't many more of these events coming later until next year (even then it's more in the early summer).  I'd like to get one under my belt soon so I can be excited about 'training' to be more competitive later down the road.

Any thoughts?


Wow, I had to re-read that to make sure I hadn't written it.
You swimming with your head above water is exactly what I just did last weekend in my first tri. It was a pool swim and I made it in 11:54, with only limited swimming. I could care less what anyone thought, I just wanted to get the 500yds. in. I would do whatever it takes to get from point a to b. You can then work on the proper breathing, etc.
I am planning on doing another tri Labor Day weekend and will probably swim the same way again. I will then focus on swimming, breathing, etc. the proper way over the winter.
Good luck.
2009-08-05 2:40 PM
in reply to: #2330040

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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question
You will not look out of place if you do a modified backstroke.
I've seen people doggy paddle, breast stroke, back stroke, side stroke, tread water, float aimlessly... whatever it takes for them to finish the swim. All are legal and you'll see a little bit of everything.

I might suggest trying to put your head IN the water though... that will do wonders for your stroke and time.

Keep at it!
2009-08-05 2:47 PM
in reply to: #2330040

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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question

Take a couple of swim lessons.  My guess is you'd be breathing properly within an hour if you had someone to show you how and critique you doing it.  Then all ya gotta do is practice.

I've had one month of swimming to prepare for my first Tri.  I started lessons on July 7 and the race is this weekend.  I was like you... perfectly comfortable in the water but did not know proper technique.  After one lesson with a lifeguard, I pretty much understood everything I was doing wrong and how to correct it.  After that.. it was practice, practice, practice!!!

Yes, I did have to use breast stroke for a few laps in the beginning.  But I'm already doing the whole thing freestyle with proper breathing and no breaks.  Two months is plenty of time.

2009-08-05 3:15 PM
in reply to: #2330040


17

Subject: Thanks for all the thoughts!
I think I will go for it.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I can do the breaststroke fairly easily, but I found this modified backstroke thing that I can go a little bit faster with and still 'catch my breath'.  I'll practice the freestyle breathing thing until the race though.

Thanks again!
2009-08-05 3:46 PM
in reply to: #2330040

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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question

SunBum - 2009-08-05 2:04 PM I was reading another thread down below and it got me thinking.

I am BRAND NEW to this Tri-thing.  I've been running to get back into shape for the last 6 months or so.  A friend mentioned just a couple of weeks ago about a mini (sprint) triathlon she was doing next year.  Her husband was going to try for one this fall.  Both will be their first.  So I started checking around and there is one in about two months that I'd like to try for.  I'm not trying (yet) to be competitive. Just want to get out there and see how it goes before getting serious.  Like I said, I've been running regularly for six months or so and I'd like to find something new.  I hate running, but it works.

Anyway, i've never been a 'lap'/'stroke' swimmer.  I spent my time in the water as a kid (open lake water for the most part) but never swam laps or any long distances.  Needless to say the swim portion of this thing is going to be the most 'daunting'.

I jumped in the pool yesterday to see if I could do 400 yards without stopping and this is what I found; I can do 400 yards in a pool without stopping (as in 'standing'), BUT I can (at this point) only go about 25 yards freestyle without flipping over on my back for 25 yards to 'rest'.  In fact, i did the 400 yards (may have been meters, I don't know how the pool is measured) in 12 minutes by going 25 free, then 25 modified back-stroke-something-or-other then back to free & so on.  The main problem is that I haven't learned to breath properly in the freestyle stroke.  So basically I'm keeping my head above water and breathing both sides, every stroke.  This is tiring me out so I need to rest.  But it's not to the point where I'm in any trouble.

I will keep practicing my breathing (I have 2 months) to see if I can improve that.  I am not uncomfortable at all in the water (even open water), but I have trouble with the proper breathing technique.

So, I guess my question is this.  If I'm OK going for it and doing this event knowing that I may look like a dork out there swimming with my head above water and flipping over on my back for half the swim (this assumes that I don't make much improvement in the pool over the next 2 months), but I have no fear for my own safety; is that OK with the general racer population in a typical mini-sprint-triathlon?

It might be better to wait a few more months, but I've checked and there aren't many more of these events coming later until next year (even then it's more in the early summer).  I'd like to get one under my belt soon so I can be excited about 'training' to be more competitive later down the road.

Any thoughts?


I too am new.  As of a couple of months ago, the only swimming I had done was cannon balling into the deep end.  So take this with as much weight as you wish.

My wife and I both started training for our first tri a few months ago. Both had never swam a single lap. I too had the "I'm really going to die or pass out" feeling when we started swimming.  We swam 3 times a week for about 5 weeks just working on getting comfortable and putting our head in the water not above it.  We had our first race at the end of June.  I won't say our swim was pretty but we finished.  However, in the few weeks following that race, we both have gotten better and I would wager both of us could swim any sprint/oly distance.

All that said here is my encouragement/advice:

 

  1. Everyone starts exactly where you are at some point....stay positive
  2. You will get better with time AND you have enough time to make significant improvement
  3. However you can safely finish the swim distance, go for it.  As mentioned, you will see all kinds of stuff in the water.
  4. Total Immersion swimming DVD and/or You Tube were/are a big help for newbies.  Although we didn't follow TI exactly, it did give us an idea of what "real" swimming looks like and some handy drills to practice.  Helped the whole, keep head in water, make it easier on yourself, help build endurance up stuff.
  5. Practice in open water whenever you can (be safe when doing so).  No matter how much lap swimming you do, until you hit open water, and more precisely, open water in a race, you really haven't a clue what to expect and things have a way of feeling/looking different your first race. 
  6. Specifically with regards to getting your breathing down:
    a) breath out ONLY under water  
    b)breath in above water Wink
    c)your whole body rolls to get air, not just your head.

    Until I got comfortable, I over exagerated my roll to breath like I'm was going into a back stroke, take a breath, then roll back to stomach....
  7. You're doing great...keep it up.


Edited by platdaddy 2009-08-05 3:47 PM
2009-08-05 4:24 PM
in reply to: #2330040

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Subject: RE: Another Noob OWSwim question
I think you should sign up for the race.  The breathing will take some practice.  It took me about a month and once you get it down you can go forever(or so it seems).  You will see people out there doing every stroke so at least you have some back up if you get tired w/ freestyle. I would suggest some lessons ...correcting form early on will save lots of time later if you find you want to do more tris.  Good luck!
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