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Really quick swim tips...
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 2009-07-01 8:40 PM |
Extreme Veteran  406 |  Subject: Really quick swim tips...Okay, here's the situation... I'm doing my first tri in a spur-of-the-moment situation on July 4th. It's a 500 yard swim (and a really short 3 mile bike and 1.5 mile run... I know, where's my 8-year-old? Hey, it's a FREE event. I'll take it). Anyway, I SUCK at swimming. I have a 15 yard pool at my disposal (the swim is going to be in a 25 yard pool) that I can hit as often as I want. I've read TI (from the library), but it's been a while, and it's not in stock, if you will, at the library right now. I'm not totally against going to buy a copy, but I've got 3 days here. I get the theory, and occasionally while swimming, I feel it all come together where my form is good, my roll is good, my stroke count gets low and it feels relatively effortless... but that doesn't happen often. So, what I'm looking for is this: What tips or good advice could you give someone who's just trying to figure out this whole swimming thing? Just a quickly-implemented tip that has the potential to turn on a light bulb overhead? Anything, and I mean anything, would be helpful. I hope. Thanks! |
| 2009-07-01 8:53 PM in reply to: #2257224 |
Veteran 277  Syracuse, NY | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... 1. Get a friend with a video camera 2. Video tape yourself swimming several laps 3. Post it here so we can see what we can do to help you! |
| 2009-07-01 9:01 PM in reply to: #2257224 |
Expert 2547  The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... wow...in 3 days...hmmmm.... push the water in the opposite direction that you want to go. ...And keep your head down. Good Luck. |
| 2009-07-01 9:02 PM in reply to: #2257244 |
Expert 1123 Falls Church, VA | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... steves_training - 2009-07-01 9:53 PM 1. Get a friend with a video camera 2. Video tape yourself swimming several laps 3. Post it here so we can see what we can do to help you! all before Saturday too. |
| 2009-07-01 9:44 PM in reply to: #2257259 |
Extreme Veteran 406 | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... Bioteknik - 2009-07-01 8:02 PM steves_training - 2009-07-01 9:53 PM 1. Get a friend with a video camera 2. Video tape yourself swimming several laps 3. Post it here so we can see what we can do to help you! all before Saturday too. This is a possibility. I could have something by tomorrow afternoon. |
| 2009-07-01 11:52 PM in reply to: #2257224 |
Elite 5316 Alturas, California | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... Well, you don't have to worry about how fast you go as I don't think you are looking for a podium finish. In that case you are just looking to survive. What stroke is your best? My first sprint tri I did the breast stroke. It was stronger than my freestyle and it got me through the swim. The bike and the run were not a problem, not fast, but not a problem to complete. So, given that, decide what is the best stroke for you to finish the distance and then worry about learning freestyle later. It takes more than 3 days to learn freestyle. |
| 2009-07-02 12:36 AM in reply to: #2257452 |
Extreme Veteran 378 Seattle | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... Baowolf - 2009-07-01 9:52 PM Well, you don't have to worry about how fast you go as I don't think you are looking for a podium finish. In that case you are just looking to survive. ... It takes more than 3 days to learn freestyle. x2. I know what you mean when you say you're looking for a "lightbulb moment," but I think 3 days is stretching things a little as far as picking up anything meaningful to do with technique. I would get some swimming in for sure, but focus more on the mental aspect. 2 things in particular... 1. Nice and steady at the start. There's nothing like the start of the swim to get your adrenaline going, and when the starter counts you down your body is going to be screaming "GO GO GO!" Try not to go out too hard. 2. Don't panic if you feel short of breath, especially near the beginning. Swimming is my one strong point and I always have a couple of moments of worry right after the start of any race. If you're aware it might happen, you can accept it and relax. Just get 4 or 5 steady laps under your belt, and before you know you'll be in a rhythm and the rest will flash by. Good luck! Just relax as much as possible, try to have fun and you'll be fine! |
| 2009-07-02 12:53 AM in reply to: #2257224 |
Member 60 | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... My advice would be as much as you want to, Do not start of fast or you will die in the end. Try to make a good pace and if you fill good pick it up half way through but you don't want to try to hammer it at first espically with not much prepare time. |
| 2009-07-02 6:06 AM in reply to: #2257452 |
Expert 1123 Falls Church, VA | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... Baowolf - 2009-07-02 12:52 AM Well, you don't have to worry about how fast you go as I don't think you are looking for a podium finish. In that case you are just looking to survive. What stroke is your best? My first sprint tri I did the breast stroke. It was stronger than my freestyle and it got me through the swim. The bike and the run were not a problem, not fast, but not a problem to complete. So, given that, decide what is the best stroke for you to finish the distance and then worry about learning freestyle later. It takes more than 3 days to learn freestyle. yeah.. don't forget, that as a new swimmer, slower is faster, slower is faster. If you start out too slow, you can speed up after you're half-way through, but if you jump the gun and start out too fast, your whole race can be more difficult than you expected. |
| 2009-07-02 6:23 AM in reply to: #2257224 |
| Extreme Veteran 745 | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... So, you're not really going to improve in 3 days. But here goes |
| 2009-07-02 6:26 AM in reply to: #2257259 |
| Veteran 277 Syracuse, NY | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... Bioteknik - 2009-07-01 9:02 PM steves_training - 2009-07-01 9:53 PM 1. Get a friend with a video camera 2. Video tape yourself swimming several laps 3. Post it here so we can see what we can do to help you! all before Saturday too. Whoops - I missed that =/ Relax and have a great race! |
| 2009-07-02 7:32 AM in reply to: #2257554 |
| 95 | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... bwingate - 2009-07-02 6:23 AM So, you're not really going to improve in 3 days. But here goes X2 When I first started swimming, I had no idea what I was doing. I picked up these same tips and saw immediate results. I wouldn't say I became "fast" or anything, but it helped me go from gasping for air after 25 yards to being able to do 400 yards without stopping right away. |
 2009-07-02 8:16 AM in reply to: #2257224 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2009-07-02 10:44 AM in reply to: #2257224 |
| Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: Really quick swim tips... baldmanrunning - 2009-07-01 6:40 PM What tips or good advice could you give someone who's just trying to figure out this whole swimming thing? Just a quickly-implemented tip that has the potential to turn on a light bulb overhead? Anything, and I mean anything, would be helpful. I hope. Thanks! It's gonna sound smartazz (And it is, maybe a bit), but in 3 days, only one thing: Don't drown. By that I mean just get through the swim any way you legally can.  John |
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