Sprint: Practice swim or no?

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Sprint: Practice swim or no?
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Yes, I always participate in the practice swim!38 Votes - [60.32%]
I sometimes participate; depends on air temperature, wave time, etc.18 Votes - [28.57%]
I never participate in the practice swim; save it for the race!7 Votes - [11.11%]

2009-07-15 10:44 AM

Extreme Veteran
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West Windsor, NJ
Subject: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I am a sprinter..and typically in the past I have not participated in the practice swim. My main thinking is (1) save it for the race, (2) I dont want to stand around cold and wet waiting for the start, and (3) not sure how much of a benefit it provides for a short race. I am wondering if I should change that thinking. What do you do for sprints?

2009-07-15 10:46 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Expert
1139
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Austin
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I haven't done any practice before a race before, but I do plan to hop in for a few laps for a pool swim tri I'm doing in October.
2009-07-15 10:48 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
If you can, you should always do a good warm-up for a sprint.
2009-07-15 10:49 AM
in reply to: #2286834

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?

I always get in and go about 100 yards.  Not challenging, but I need to get over the initial shock of entering the water.   I didn't do this for a race on a cold day, worrying about being too cold.  I regretted that.

2009-07-15 10:52 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Pro
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Libertyville, IL
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?

Warm up for sure, especially if the water is colder to get that initial shock to the face, chest and undercarriage.  Helps spare some of the HR start from the shock.  Plus I am a crummy swimmer and need to get the gunk out of my stroke before the race.

2009-07-15 10:55 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Master
1324
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Rochester, NY
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?

The shorter the race, the more I want to warm up.  Endurance isnt the issue.  Speed is.  You're faster if warm.

2009-07-15 11:03 AM
in reply to: #2286859

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Triathlete Nation ~ Texas!
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Ridgelake - 2009-07-15 10:55 AM

The shorter the race, the more I want to warm up.  Endurance isnt the issue.  Speed is.  You're faster if warm.



Totally agree, and it reduces the chance of injury... a good warm up run or bike, then a some time in the water... good and ready for the speedy, higher HR start to the sprint.

2009-07-15 11:03 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I have only done one OWS Tri. At that race I did not do a warm up. I very quickly learned... I need one.

I plan on warming up in the future more for the calming/nerves issue rather than the actual warm up. Sure the warm up it beneficial but right now I need to experience to calm my nerves. I am a strong swimmer but that first tri running in with 200 people jolted me.

SO for me, the answer is Yes!
2009-07-15 11:12 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Master
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Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I always warm up in the water before a race.  I used to worry about burning too many matches before the start, but now I make it a habit to do a short run and swim warm-up before a race.  I'll do a short bike warm-up also when I can. 

Brian
2009-07-15 11:14 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
JohnAgs3 - 2009-07-15 10:44 AM

I am a sprinter..and typically in the past I have not participated in the practice swim. My main thinking is (1) save it for the race, (2) I dont want to stand around cold and wet waiting for the start, and (3) not sure how much of a benefit it provides for a short race. I am wondering if I should change that thinking. What do you do for sprints?


By practice swim, do you mean the warmup?

I always do a warmup for a sprint. It usually takes me around 800-1000 meters to really start feeling good in the water. I'm a strong swimmer, so it's not that I need so I can complete the swim... but I'll do better if I get a warmup beforehand.

If I'm doing a sprint tri, I will get in the water and warmup if I can.
2009-07-15 11:15 AM
in reply to: #2286829

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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I'll second or third the note, the shorter the race the longer the warmup should be.

Yes, do a couple laps to warm up.

2009-07-15 11:16 AM
in reply to: #2286859

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Champion
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the colony texas
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Ridgelake - 2009-07-15 10:55 AM

The shorter the race, the more I want to warm up.  Endurance isnt the issue.  Speed is.  You're faster if warm.


ditto..

I honestly can't think of a reason not to warm up.. I've done short sprint races where my usual 600 yd swim warm up is longer than the race

unless you are asking about a practice swim the day before the race that some Race directors have,,
for those if I don't know the course set up and it fits my schedule i'll go
2009-07-15 11:50 AM
in reply to: #2286859


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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Ridgelake - 2009-07-15 10:55 AM

The shorter the race, the more I want to warm up.  Endurance isnt the issue.  Speed is.  You're faster if warm.



Yep. In a longer race, you sort of warm up as you race, sprints you need speed right out of the shoot.
2009-07-15 12:29 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Champion
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Ames, IA
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Like others have said I always warm up for a sprint distance.  I'm never on top of my form at the beginning of any of my pool workouts so logically I won't be as ready for a race if go in cold.

Although there was one race where the water temp was so cold I didn't want to get in before hand and have to get back out.
2009-07-15 12:31 PM
in reply to: #2286829

Extreme Veteran
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West Windsor, NJ
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Just for clarification: By practice swim, I mean "warmup swim" day of the race.

I usually warm up...I just typically do it on land. May change this next race. Thanks for the input!
2009-07-15 12:56 PM
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Veteran
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The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I'm a back of the BOP swimmer, but I've found that spending a few minutes in the water before the race really helps calm my OWS swim jitters, and helps me concentrate on swimming for the first few minutes of the race rather than fighting OWS swim start anxiety.

2009-07-15 1:09 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Expert
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Austin, TX
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Maybe it is because I am in the old fart category (40-44) but I need a good 20 minute warm up run before a sprint.  Just an easy jog to work up a good sweat.
Ideally I get it done in time for a short swim before they clear out the water.

FWIW, I usually finish sprints at the top of my AG and the top 10% OA.  So the warm up does not take it out of me.

Also, check out the time trial at the Tour de France in a couple fo days.  You'll notice they all spend time on the trainer getting the legs warmed up before their start.

Edited by Bumble Bee 2009-07-15 1:10 PM
2009-07-15 1:42 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
is "practice" supposed to be right before the race?

My sprint is having a "practice swim" 3 weeks before the event!

I just plan on doing it, 'cause I don't have access to swim-able open water near me, and I don't want the race being my first real OWS
2009-07-15 1:44 PM
in reply to: #2287211

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
JohnAgs3 - 2009-07-15 1:31 PM Just for clarification: By practice swim, I mean "warmup swim" day of the race. I usually warm up...I just typically do it on land. May change this next race. Thanks for the input!


Maybe I should learn to read....

anyways - I plan on doing that kind of "practice" swim too.  I never even though of the anxiety which may follow an OWS until I heard everyone  here talking about it.  Now I want as much OWS as possible before the race! :-p
2009-07-15 1:44 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Expert
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Berkeley, Calif.
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I wouldn't dream of skipping the swim warmup before a sprint tri. I *need* to warmup, first to get over the inevitible OW panic, second because it always takes me a couple hundred yards to get up to speed on my swim (which still sucks, heh).
2009-07-15 1:55 PM
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Master
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Charlotte
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?

I always go warm up the water before the start of a race.  Wink

2009-07-15 2:27 PM
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Pro
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Norwalk, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
i always warm up, couple hundred meters at least, need to get the heart rate to spike and then settle. I would bet it is more important in a sprint VS a longer race where you do not go all out for 1.5 hours.

2009-07-24 12:49 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Veteran
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Bucks County
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
I would suggest I nice warmup swim to the babba-bouy at the 1st turn and then back to the swim start. Try throwing in some accelerations too just to simulate the swim start and get the HR spiked a little.

I forgot to mention - I def would if you are in a later wave and will be standing around for a while.
2009-07-24 12:51 PM
in reply to: #2286829

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Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
If your warmup slows you down in the race (i.e., save it for the race), you're either warming up too hard or not in as good shape as you thought.  Warmup should contribute to your race, not detract from it
2009-07-24 2:57 PM
in reply to: #2286829

Veteran
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Vicksburg
Subject: RE: Sprint: Practice swim or no?
Definatly get a warm up swim.  It takes me 400 to 600 yards before my arms and shoulders start feeling good.
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