Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

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2012-01-05 2:04 PM


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Subject: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

I'm trying to work on my weaknesses this winter, but my biggest weakness is pack swimming.  In smaller races where I can get 1500m of clear water I can finish the swim in ~21-22 minutes, but put me in a bigger race where I'm in a group and it plunges to 28-30.  I have no results in between, either good when it's empty, or not as good when it's crowded.

So is there any good way of practicing being in a pack?  Being bumped and worrying about bumping, having water in my face, going around people, etc, are what slow me down, and it does it every time.

Any advice or good ways to get over it?

2012-01-05 2:22 PM
in reply to: #3973105

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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

Here's a thread with some good suggestions on how to practice in a pool:

http://ns1.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=268467&mid=3686047

You might also want to work on your drafting skills in open water if you can find a friend to go with you.

2012-01-05 2:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

here is a good video on how to practice a tri swim start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk

 

(yes, it's time to re-post this video, I haven't seen it on this forum in months)

2012-01-05 2:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

If you can swim 1500 meters in 21:xx, start at the front and go!  You won't be in the way for very many people and not too many people will get in your way at that pace.  Clear water ahead!

2012-01-05 4:37 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
noobers - 2012-01-05 12:04 PM

I'm trying to work on my weaknesses this winter, but my biggest weakness is pack swimming.  In smaller races where I can get 1500m of clear water I can finish the swim in ~21-22 minutes, but put me in a bigger race where I'm in a group and it plunges to 28-30.  I have no results in between, either good when it's empty, or not as good when it's crowded.

So is there any good way of practicing being in a pack?  Being bumped and worrying about bumping, having water in my face, going around people, etc, are what slow me down, and it does it every time.

Any advice or good ways to get over it?

Isn't this something you just have to learn to deal with?  I'm teaching my son to get over that by plugging his nose and blowing bubbles. Smile 

2012-01-05 7:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
pga_mike - 2012-01-04 3:35 PM

If you can swim 1500 meters in 21:xx, start at the front and go!  You won't be in the way for very many people and not too many people will get in your way at that pace.  Clear water ahead!

This! If your are that fast start in the front and go! No pack. If you start in the pack your slower times are from you weaving around slower swimmers.


2012-01-05 7:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
morey000 - 2012-01-05 12:33 PM

here is a good video on how to practice a tri swim start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S0wu4Zbfk

 

(yes, it's time to re-post this video, I haven't seen it on this forum in months)

Yes, this is really the only way to practice triathlon swim start.

2012-01-05 8:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
Thank you for sharing this informative video! My friends will be very enthusiastic about helping me with my OWS.
2012-01-06 12:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
I do usually try to start towards the front and to the side, but often if there are waves ahead of me or the sprint starts while I'm on lap 1 I still get hit with a pack.  Is it just a matter of getting used to it and doing it more?
2012-01-06 4:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
noobers - 2012-01-05 1:17 PMI do usually try to start towards the front and to the side, but often if there are waves ahead of me or the sprint starts while I'm on lap 1 I still get hit with a pack.  Is it just a matter of getting used to it and doing it more?
Yes. You just have to get used to it. Also just except that sometimes you are going to have a hard time getting thru and don't let it get to you. Frustration can be a distraction.
2012-01-06 4:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

noobers - 2012-01-06 12:17 PM I do usually try to start towards the front and to the side, but often if there are waves ahead of me or the sprint starts while I'm on lap 1 I still get hit with a pack.  Is it just a matter of getting used to it and doing it more?

In your case start as wide as you can.  You lose a lot less distance than you might think and you will certainly benefit from less people to weave around.

Color me surprised that you are really losing 7 minutes due to moving around people.  Are these massive races?  Have you done enough races to know that it isn't some odd coincidence of distances being long/short at the same races that you are hitting pileups?  Tri swims are notoriously off on distance.  You really have to slow down a lot to lose that amount of time.

2012-01-06 4:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?

Try swimming in the lanes with the floaters and aqua-joggers? If your not rubbing, your not racing!

2012-01-06 5:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
sand101 - 2012-01-06 3:42 PM

noobers - 2012-01-06 12:17 PM I do usually try to start towards the front and to the side, but often if there are waves ahead of me or the sprint starts while I'm on lap 1 I still get hit with a pack.  Is it just a matter of getting used to it and doing it more?
due to moving around people.  Are these massive races?  Have you done enough races to know that it isn't some odd coincidence of distances being long/short at the same races that you are hitting pileups?  Tri swims are notoriously off on distance.  You really have to slow down a lot to lose that amount of time.

I'm pretty sure it's not a matter of longer/shorter courses, because the top times and average times have been roughly the same, and I've been able to compare myself to the same people in several of them, and they haven't been fluctuating as much.

2012-01-06 5:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Practicing pack swimming without the pack?
Swim with a couple of labs.
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