General Discussion Triathlon Talk » "Average" Swim Time Rss Feed  
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2010-07-30 10:55 PM

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Subject: "Average" Swim Time

I signed up for an Olympic distance race this weekend.  It asked what my swim was like and I said "average".  Being average put me way back in the back.  My open water swims have been few and far between and since there are no distance markers I really have no idea what my open water swim time is.

So assuming spotting goes well and no major issues I would expect to finish 1500M in a pool around 28-30 minutes.   I don't do flip turns in fact I probably have the slowest turn in the world.  Very small push off the wall so that I can get one extra stroke in as well.  So is this about average?  Should I expect my times in open water to generally be slower or faster based on the fact I don't have to turn around?



2010-07-30 10:56 PM
in reply to: #3015279

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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
Sounds like me. I swim 1:59/100m in a pool over 1000-1500. I swim maybe 5 seconds faster/100 in OW from my few sessions.
2010-07-31 5:20 AM
in reply to: #3015279

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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
I think 1500m in 28-30 minutes, is above average personally.
2010-07-31 8:14 AM
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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
Only 2nd yr of tri, but scanning past couple years' results from sprint/Oly events I've done 2'/100M seems a little above ave.  FWIW- for batlou's upcoming Oly (which I'm entered also) ave swim last yr was ~32min.

Re pool training vs OWS paces I think it's hard to generalize. Many more variables in OWS (e.g. weather (wind,chop,current), other athletes (drafting vs obstructions), actual OWS distances, timing mats distance from swim exit, etc.). 
2010-07-31 8:42 AM
in reply to: #3015279

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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
That is weird, that the didnt ask for your actual expected swim time.  Every race that has asked, has asked me for a time.
2010-07-31 9:51 AM
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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
I'm like you and swim 1500 meters around 28-30 minutes in the pool (though that includes flip turns).  In my first triathlon, I completed the swim in 26 mins and some change.  I think the wetsuit made a much bigger difference for me than I expected.  With that swim time, I was in the top third overall on the swim leg.


2010-07-31 10:12 AM
in reply to: #3015279

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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
I've never actually swam 1500 straight in the pool, but my basic long distance set (4-500 yd) pace is ~1:55-2:00 (no flip turns). 

In races, in open water with a wetsuit, I've done 1:40/100 over 880 yards, and 1:50/100 in my Olympic length Tri (30 minutes).  The wetsuit definately makes me faster.  These times put in in the middle of the pack on the swim.

is it a wetsuit swim?  If so, I'd say you'd be faster than your pool pace.  If not, then you ought to be about the same, unless there is panic or other issues to deal with.
2010-08-01 1:52 AM
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Subject: RE: "Average" Swim Time
Impossible to tell from pool time! I was averaging 27 to 28 minutes for a 1500m in the pool, but my flip turns helped me too much. In a real tri, my swim time was 34:39 or so. Part of that was nerves and getting stuck in a pack of tough women who trampled me :-) The rest was lack of skill in OWS...the water wasn't choppy, and the course was really heavily marked with buoys. I just kept zig-zagging. The lifeguards were probably laughing at my expense lol!

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » "Average" Swim Time Rss Feed