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Beginner swimmer needs advice
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 2009-05-21 1:10 PM |
 18 |  Subject: Beginner swimmer needs adviceI would like to sign up for a tri in Sep, 09 but I don't know how to swim. I will start private swimming lessons on the weekends but it is going to be one lesson for one hour every week. I will have 15 lessons with an instructor till the race date. is that enough? I don't have any swimming experience. |
| 2009-05-21 1:24 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Champion 8766       Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice safina - 2009-05-21 1:10 PM I would like to sign up for a tri in Sep, 09 but I don't know how to swim. I will start private swimming lessons on the weekends but it is going to be one lesson for one hour every week. I will have 15 lessons with an instructor till the race date. is that enough? I don't have any swimming experience. Once you get some good technique from the instructor I think you should start adding in a few of your own practice swims during the week. One swim per week might be enough to "complete" the swim section of a sprint...but really, you should swim several times a week if you want to improve. |
| 2009-05-21 3:17 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Extreme Veteran 3177 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice The instructor/trainer should be able to give you some drills to do. take 1-2 days a week and go and practice drills for as long as you can keep them fresh in your mind. 20 minutes on Drills will make a big difference if you come back to class having mastered that particular skill you will be able to move forward a lot faster. Should be plenty of time. I would suggest doing one of those drills workouts within a day or so of when you have the class just so it is fresh in your mind still. Good Luck! |
| 2009-05-21 3:49 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Extreme Veteran 375 Middleville, MI | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice I could barely swim when I started training for my first tri last year, that was the first of June and the tri was late July. I starting swimming just about every day but never took a lesson. I finished the 1/2 mile swim, not fast but I finished. If you can work 2-3 times a week by September, you will be just fine. |
| 2009-05-21 3:53 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Pro 4189 Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice Everyone above is right. You're going to need extra pool time to augment your lessons and practice your skills. Lessons are great, but like any educational endeavor, you've got homework  . What kind of swim is your tri? Pool? Lake? Ocean? |
| 2009-05-21 4:03 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Extreme Veteran 660 Texas | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice I agree with all the previous posters! Get in some practice time outside the lessons. I was also pretty much a non-swimmer in January, but hit the pool 2 and sometimes 3 days a week. Fortunately, my 1st tri was a super sprint so I only had to do 200 yds, but it wasn't a problem. It also helped that I had an alternate stroke to use when I felt winded with my freestyle (sidestroke). Also, if it's an OWS, it's very important to get in an OWS practice before race day. |
| 2009-05-21 11:19 PM in reply to: #2166753 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice phoenixazul - 2009-05-21 4:53 PM Everyone above is right. You're going to need extra pool time to augment your lessons and practice your skills. Lessons are great, but like any educational endeavor, you've got homework . What kind of swim is your tri? Pool? Lake? Ocean?it is pool. |
| 2009-05-21 11:20 PM in reply to: #2166748 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice CraigT - 2009-05-21 4:49 PM I could barely swim when I started training for my first tri last year, that was the first of June and the tri was late July. I starting swimming just about every day but never took a lesson. I finished the 1/2 mile swim, not fast but I finished. If you can work 2-3 times a week by September, you will be just fine. but how did you learn swimming? I heard about total immersion DVDs. can I just learn how to swim from these DVDs? |
| 2009-05-21 11:22 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice Thanks for the replies. Of course, i will practice a lot. My point is if I take lessons once a week, and practice 2-3 times a week, will I be ready for a tri? I am nervous and might cancel the idea. |
| 2009-05-21 11:32 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Champion 5522 Frisco, TX | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice How long is the swim. Since it is a pool swim, I would guess it is shorter (300-500 yds). If less than 800 yds, it should be no problem. I am using the 0 to 1650 plan right now and feel I am making good swimming progress finally. Talk to your instructor, make sure they understand your goals and if they are any good, they will guide you down the right path and training to get there. |
| 2009-05-22 10:14 AM in reply to: #2166312 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice it is
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| 2009-05-22 10:40 AM in reply to: #2168046 |
Extreme Veteran 330 Addison | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice safina - 2009-05-22 10:14 AM it is
I would suggest taking the private lessons first b/c you don't have a swim background. Get the one on one private lessons first to learn technique. In a group class setting there might be multiple students to one instructor and you might not get the individual attention you need. Once you have a good base down, then move on to the group classes. Also, I think the private lessons would be much more beneficial to you right off the bat b/c swim classes and group swim workouts can be intimidating. Good luck and you will do great! |
| 2009-05-22 11:31 AM in reply to: #2168135 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice thank you so much. Much appreciated  |
| 2009-05-22 1:03 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Veteran 236 San Diego, CA | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice safina - 2009-05-21 11:10 AM I would like to sign up for a tri in Sep, 09 but I don't know how to swim. I will start private swimming lessons on the weekends but it is going to be one lesson for one hour every week. I will have 15 lessons with an instructor till the race date. is that enough? I don't have any swimming experience. You CAN do this. However, it will be a mental exercise as much as physical. You will have to focus a good amount of time on getting your swim down. Lots of pool time, practicing drills, and studying videos. It sounds like you've already got the lessons scheduled, so that's a good step. You will have ups and downs between now and then but keep at it and you will be fine for your race. If you have a good instructor you will likely be swimming in a month. Then it's a matter of ironing out the kinks and flaws in your stroke, and you can start building in yardage and eventually intervals. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! |
| 2009-05-22 1:18 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Extreme Veteran 542 Pauls Valley, OK | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice When I got lessons to learn how to swim properly, my coach allowed me to do only drill work as a workout. His thinking was that swimming would just re-enforce bad habits that he was trying to break. With no 'swimming' I was worried I wasn't going to be in shape for the upcoming season. Once he decided I had the techniques down during drills (2 months later) he allowed me to start doing the whole stroke. That was only 1-2 weeks before my first tri. He assured me that you could drill yourself into shape. He was right, I swam a 450m in 7:05. So my advice from my own personal experience is to work on the drills he is giving you alot. You will learn how to swim correctly and get into shape at the same time. Good luck - Ray edit - by the way, my coach taught the Total Immersion philosophy, I had the book and video to supplement my lessons. Edited by ray6foot7 2009-05-22 1:19 PM |
| 2009-05-22 1:41 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
Expert 774 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice You'll be fine ... do it! |
 2009-05-22 1:45 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
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| 2009-05-22 2:04 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
| Pro 4360 Baton Rouge area | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice In January I started lessons. Could not swim 25 meters (heck I couldn't swim 15 meters, literally could not swim). Took lessons and swam 3 days a week. Did my first Tri in March (500 meters with wetsuit) and did okay (12 minutes for 500meters). If you practice 2-3 week you should be fine for a 440 yard pool swim. FYI, tell your instructor that you are going for a Tri. If he/she has experience training triathletes she can go over a couple of things for you that will help in your tri. |
| 2009-05-22 4:19 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
| Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice Be sure your instructor is good. Not all are equal and some are better at teaching adults how to swim. Others are more Y swim teacher that teach with noodle and do stuff that makes comfortable in the water but not how to swim independently. Ideally you will have a coach who swims well and has been coaching folks like you for many years. With good instruction and dedication you can do a tri in September. |
| 2009-05-23 11:48 AM in reply to: #2166312 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice thanks, guys. I have to say that I have another problem. I don't know how to bike. never been on a bike before. I have the same issue here. there are some free group biking classes that will start next week and there is a good PT who can offer me some private lessons. what should I do? as far as running, I can run on the treadmill. I know that I have to take my running outside. with no experience in almost swimming, biking and a bit of running, am I a good candidate for a tri in Sept? I have to say that I am nervous. Edited by safina 2009-05-23 11:49 AM |
| 2009-05-23 12:48 PM in reply to: #2166312 |
| 18 | Subject: RE: Beginner swimmer needs advice how do you hire a swim coach ? I have found someone with these qualifications: |
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