Time Trial swim start advice?

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2012-08-03 10:49 PM

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Subject: Time Trial swim start advice?
Just got the Althlete Guide for Rev3 Wisconsin-The Dells and noticed that the swim is a time trial start. 3 second between starters and 15 min between the Half and Olympic.

I have never done a time trial start in my life, any advice? How much traffic does a TT start create compared to a wave start?
Thanks in advance.

2012-08-03 11:36 PM
in reply to: #4346567

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Nashville TN
Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
The last Tri I did was a TT start. Really they made it a "rolling start" because of the launch. I did not like it. There was no room between yourself and the person before and just made for a cluster in my opinion. If done differently I'm sure it would be okay. Also many people undershoot their times and then they run folks over, thus defeating the purpose of the TT start. Key is to be honest about your swim time when signing up. Good luck!
2012-08-03 11:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?

After doing several 1,000+ mass starts, I cannot imagine that a time trial start could be that congested.  Granted, I've never done a TT start but i just don't see how that would be more unpleasant than even a large wave start.

2012-08-04 12:01 AM
in reply to: #4346567

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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?

It's not congested at all.  The only issue you may have is finding some feet to draft.

In my experience, people over estimate their swimming prowess and end up acting like sea anchors.  Not really a problem as they're easy to get around, but just a FYI.

Now, a TT start in a pool tri (which I know you are not doing) is a little different... if you aren't accurate on your swim time estimate you really can get held up or hold others up.

2012-08-04 2:27 AM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
It's a lot less congested, but you have fewer people to sight off of and draft.  You will end up passing a lot of folks, and a lot will pass you (kinda feels like the run).  Just pace yourself and you'll be fine (no need to sprint away from the crowding at the start or traffic jam at the buoys).
2012-08-04 7:14 AM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
Water view of the TT start from Rev3 Half Full in Maryland 2010:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FIAYG7bLaU&feature=youtube_gdata_playerCompared to all the wave starts I've done, it looks pretty easy!John

2012-08-04 7:18 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
Elkhart Lake has done this style and timing. There will be people around the whole race, but never crowded. It was nice. Kind of like later swim conditions, but the whole way around.
2012-08-04 12:41 PM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
My last tri was a time trial swim start, they started people by age group, and then each swimmer every 5 seconds.  I loved it personally.  A lot less congested, and pretty easy to navigate around the other people you wanted to pass.
2012-08-04 2:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
Just did a TT last weekend in an oly.....easier than a crowded wave start.....our race had people.line up behind signs with your expected swim time so that made it better also.....so got get it.
2012-08-04 3:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Time Trial swim start advice?
I do a race every year that does a time trial start due to the size of the "lake," (more of a pond really), and I really like it.  It certainly isn't more congested than your typical OWS.  If you aren't the first one into the water, it is kind of a lovely sight to see all of the swimmers spread out across the water.  The best advice I can give is to swim your own race, and you'll be just fine.
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