Pacing in open H2O?

I just finished my first, so take this for what it is worth... I came from a competitive swimming background, so the swim is the strong suit for me. My biggest concern was that I would go out too fast. My solution to the problem was to count the swim simply as a warmup. speed was not a consideration, just keeping a nice easy opening warmup pace. This would set the bike and run up well.

In my case this worked out great. I did the 600m swim in about 12 minutes and still had plenty left for the other legs.

I wish I haad something more tangible to offer. How about doing breaststroke every 25 strokes of freestyle to allow yourself an opportunity to sight and to tone down the pace some?

Good luck , I am sure it will turn out great!

I know this sounds a little weird, John--but I sing. I have a song that I use that has a certain rhythm and tempo and I use that for the first three hundred yards or so.

Works for me!!

Dana

another strategy is to do swim sets that are all out in the early part of the set, simulating the swim start--there's no avoiding the hysteria.

Ex: 3 x 400 with 1st 100m all out, relax the last 300m of each.


As for pace, focus instead on doing whatever you can to have a clean, full stroke. Swimming hard in the pack won't help if your stroke isn't complete. Pace will take care of itself.

Actually, Scott's right. I do like to sprint at the beginning. And I train for that as well (as much as I'm able, poor swimmer that I am!) But then you have to remember to back off before you deplete yourself...

D

Thanks everyone for the advice. Pretty much what I expected to see but still some goods tips I can experiment with. Hey Dana, maybe I could try the Rocky theme song. If I can keep that tempo, I would be gold. :-)

I haven't done a tri yet, however, I have it already planned that I will use the Rocky theme song throughout the race! Especially the first few notes! ;-)

ok, I have to ask......what song? (c'mon, you knew SOMEONE would!)

Eye of The Tiger by Survivor. :-) :-)

I'm afraid my church-y side comes out, and I sing worship songs, Ellen.

Both because that's what I know, and that's what I like.

This past races 'mantra'... Open the Eyes of My Heart.

Believe me--it kept me going!!

Dana

Hey your tips really are helping. I tried the 300-400 meter interval w/ sprinting the first one hundred and settling into a pace for the remaining portion. It really helped. Basically, it showed me how much I was overswimming at the beginning. On my open water swim, I really took off sprinting and before I knew what was going on, I was winded. Then throw in nerves, first open water swim, fear of the unknown bottom(or loss of the comfy black stripe) and whamo.....you got one pooped puppy! Anyway.....Thanks again!!