Pool swim versus Triathlon-Teaching Methodology

I absolutely agree with this.  Although I would insert "not likely to be":

I'm starting to think that a high school or college swim coach is not the same person at all as a triathlon swim coach.

Very different goals.  

 

The average adult onset triathlete swimmer who is just trying to prepare to do a triathlon can get by with time in the pool, working on form, and I personally say that using a pull buoy is not the worst.    I used one to simulate the buoyancy I would feel with a wetsuit on and it helped me get the time in and work on other priorities. 

Edited by BikerGrrrl 2017-06-16 11:50 AM

Can you find a Total Immersion swim coach in your area. There is debate, but I taught myself to swim as an adult and it was awful. Finding a TI coach helpful in learning to swim in the most energy efficient way so that you can go the distance. Mine works with triathletes and gives advice on waves and sighting. Felt skeptical about some of their literature, but think my swimming is improving.
It is different if you are racing 100 meters full out or are doing a mile and have to be ready to bike and run after. For example TI encourages a two beat kick.

Mitzi

Edited by MuscleMomma 2017-06-16 12:23 PM

 

FWIW, every triathlon swim coach I know who has even half a clue would agree with the majority of that.  If everything a "coach" told you contradicted all of that, I'd question that coach's level of expertise.

 Edited to add:  Fast swimming is fast swimming.  The basics that underlie a good pool swimmer and ows/triathlon swimming are identical.  Triathlon swimming/ows just layers on a set of skills specific to the demands of the events (sighting, dealing with waves/chop, etc), just as pool racing layers on a different set of skills specific to the demands of those events (starts, turns, etc.)

 

Edited by TriMyBest 2017-06-16 12:16 PM

I personally don't think long swims are all that important in training. I do, however, believe long SETS are important. If my goal is to maximize my performance at the mile distance, I believe I get more training value for out of swimming 30 X 100, 20 X 150, or 15 X 200 at mile race pace on short rest (~15-20 seconds) than I do swimming one mile at race pace, or something longer than a mile at slower-than-mile-pace. Once every month or so, I'll get out there and do a 1650 yard time trial, just to remind myself what it feels like to go continuous. The rest of the time, I'm aiming to get ~twice the race distance at the race pace in a workout, and that requires breaking that distance into shorter segments with short rests in between.

As a year 'round competitive swimmer, and only part time triathlete, I work mostly on sprint and middle distance swim training in the winter and early spring, then flip to distance swim training ahead of summer triathlon season. I still keep some sprint sets in my workout schedule during tri training season, though. Long sets build endurance, but short and fast is what builds (or maintains) power. Both are helpful to have, whether you're racing a 200 in a pool or the swim leg of a HIM.


It's a no-brainer to say that if you plan to race in open water, you would benefit from practicing some in open water. I can't imagine any coach that knew triathlon was your objective would discourage you from doing that if/when you could.


Agreed. It's good technique, but you can be fast without it. If pulling deeper lets you get a better catch, and hold it longer, go with it.

I disagree. Build technique first , then strength, then speed, then endurance.

Not loving snorkel but 1 breath 25s to work on stroke while keeping head steady.

Really great insights...thanks everyone!

Fast swimming is fast swimming, does not matter if you are outside or inside.

Swimming in a tri is longer distance so you have to train for long distance swimming not sprinting. However if you can't swim fast for a short distance you certainly won't swim fast for a long distance. Your technique changes some for distance swimming just like runner a marathon vs running a 100meter dash. Distance swimmers breath more, and kick less that does not mean you should not kick. The kick is helps your body position in the water.

You have to develop some extra skills for open water such as sighting, and dealing with waves so its helpful to do some training open water.

As for the pull buoy, it is a major issue for many triathletes relying on it. If all your races are wetsuit legal, the wetsuit will be similar to using the pull buoy. However there are many people who have decided to use the pull buoy all the time and when they have to swim without it and without a wetsuit they can barely swim a couple hundred yards.

Learn proper technique, do not use these aids(buoys, paddles, boards,.. ) more than 30%-40% of the time, or your setting yourself up for failure.