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2013-10-01 4:38 PM


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Subject: swimming and winter
i'm debating about swimming this winter. I'm new to triathlons i've just done a small traithlon indoors last year. The thing is i hate swimming with the cold. do most of you swim all winter in freezing minnesota??



2013-10-01 5:00 PM
in reply to: newbie1975

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: swimming and winter

Originally posted by newbie1975 i'm debating about swimming this winter. I'm new to triathlons i've just done a small traithlon indoors last year. The thing is i hate swimming with the cold. do most of you swim all winter in freezing minnesota??

Well, yeah but indoors of course.    I go to LA Fitness and fortunately they keep the pool a nice temp all winter so it's not too much effort to get in and out.  Although the hallway between the pool and locker room can be a bit drafty!

I regularly took long breaks over the winter and then start back swimming more seriously around April.    I can't recommend this for successful swimming, but it's enough to get by.  Although, I had built up a fair swimming base before I started doing that.  If you're new to swimming or have any dreams of improving in the swim, you'll have to keep at it.

2013-10-02 9:29 AM
in reply to: newbie1975

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Subject: RE: swimming and winter

Originally posted by newbie1975 i'm debating about swimming this winter. I'm new to triathlons i've just done a small traithlon indoors last year. The thing is i hate swimming with the cold. do most of you swim all winter in freezing minnesota??

I plan on swimming all winter through.  I'm also pretty new to the Tri world.  Because of that, I've got a lot of improvements to make in my swim stroke and what better time to drill than winter?

If you think that you'll have trouble with motivation, do what you can to improve that.  Work out in a group setting, set up little rewards for yourself, etc.  Maybe do a few of the indoor triathlons held during the winter if you do better with a race in front of you.  Figure out what's going to work for you.  

Will power only works for so long (in my experience).  So if you cannot find some enjoyment or other driving force, you'll have a hard time sticking to it.

2013-10-02 1:05 PM
in reply to: newbie1975


8

Subject: RE: swimming and winter
Thanks yeah i dunno. going to think about it some more. I LOVE swimming but more so in warmer weather. In the winter i kind of like to hunker down and exercise either indoors at my house or dress for the weather and go skiing or show shoeing. With swimming it's so unmotivating. get into your winter jacket lug it around to the gym, get my hair wet. i would prefer to wash and dry my hair at my house but if i do that it also is more cold going out to the car and the drive home. more like freezing.

i looked into nearyby masters swim classes and the ones i looked at were at 6am which doesn't work for my schedule. I'm thinking i will wait till late winter/early spring when i'm bursting at the seams for warmer weather.

thank you! Your right if i'm not motivated it won't work. I think i will wait.
2013-10-02 1:58 PM
in reply to: newbie1975

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Subject: RE: swimming and winter
I recently signed up for a Masters group so I could swim through the winter.
2013-10-02 4:39 PM
in reply to: jlruhnke

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Minneapolis, MN
Subject: RE: swimming and winter
I know quite a few people that only get in if they hit the hot tub first. Personally I might go in the hot tuba after.

Most improvements in triathlon are little bit over long time of effort,so the winter is a great time for training


2013-10-03 5:40 AM
in reply to: newbie1975


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Subject: RE: swimming and winter
My motivation for swimming was up and down last winter. I think variety was one thing that helped me. Doing time trials of different lengths every so often was something that kept me motivated. Example: Once a month I would do a 1500 time trial, I would treat it like a race.
2013-10-07 5:56 AM
in reply to: newbie1975

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Bloomington, MN
Subject: RE: swimming and winter
Masters group is a great way to go. Helps with the motivation and you can get some great tips on form and swim workouts.
2013-10-13 10:00 AM
in reply to: Buckshot

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Subject: RE: swimming and winter
Agreed - I signed up for a Masters swim class earlier this year, and it made a huge difference in my swim this past season. Finding a good coach is key as well - Peg Sorenson was the Masters swim coach at LifeTime Plymouth, but she's since left. I'm hitting the pool again 2x/week starting this week (well, that's the plan, at least).

The Tuesday evening open swim at Lake Nokomis was the BEST confidence booster for me, at least. Helped me overcome my fear of swimming in open water, and changed everything about my last two races.
2013-10-19 5:28 PM
in reply to: newbie1975


8

Subject: RE: swimming and winter
I've decided to stick with swimming this winter. twice a week hopefully. i found a masters class that you can go once a week on saturday which will work better with my schedule. thanks everyone for your advice. i will just make sure to blow dry my hair instead of throwing it in a hat!
2013-10-29 12:47 PM
in reply to: newbie1975

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Lakeville, MN
Subject: RE: swimming and winter
I am planning on hitting the pool several times/week this off season. I have let my swimming fitness (the little that I ACTUALLY had) get away from me, so I am paying dearly to get it back, but nevertheless, I will get it back or it will be the death of me. I have been realtively invisible on BT for the past couple years as my love for racing took a back seat to way too many projects. Now that those are off my plate....it is time to get my groove back!!


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