How long do you warm up for the swim start?

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How long do you warm up for the swim start? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2007-06-01 1:15 PM

User image

Extreme Veteran
514
500
Perkasie, PA
Subject: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
I noticed that it takes about six 50 meter laps in the pool for me to really start to warm up -- Get the kinks and any aches and pains worked out.

So at the start of my sprint race in 3 weeks (if I understand correctly, it's a water start) how long should one warm up in the water?

Do you swim around for 2 minutes? 5 minutes? If you then have to wait 5 or 10 minutes for the start, is that a waste of time?

2007-06-01 1:20 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Expert
994
500100100100100252525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
It depends on how long I have to wait for my wave to go off, but if I know the water is going to be particularly cold or unappealing, I will get in for a few minutes just to break the seal. Usually it's not too much of a real warmup because I've yet to go off in the first wave.
2007-06-01 1:21 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Expert
994
500100100100100252525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
And I did not mean urinating by "break the seal"
2007-06-01 1:30 PM
in reply to: #825893

Member
50
2525
Memphis
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
Depends on the swim distance.  For a sprint, I'll get in and warm up 5 or 10 minutes.  For an Olympic or longer, I figure I'm going to be in there pretty long whether I warm up or not, so I usually don't.
2007-06-01 1:30 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Expert
789
500100100252525
Lake Forest, Illinois
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
I have only done a few races but getting in and doing a few hundred seems to work for me.  I want my shoulders to be warmed up and I will usually keep that "readied" feeling for about thirty minutes.  So far I have felt better off doing this then just going in cold.
2007-06-01 1:50 PM
in reply to: #825893

New user
501
500
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
No warm-up. I just get in, and go!

2007-06-01 2:15 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Extreme Veteran
514
500
Perkasie, PA
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
LOL Sebastian!

"And I did not mean urinating by "break the seal" -- maybe you should say that -- I bet it will keep people away from you in future starts!

Thanks everybody. I think I will try to warm up for 5 minutes if I get the chance.
2007-06-01 2:45 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Master
1790
1000500100100252525
Tyler, TX
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?

In the pool I like to swim an easy 500 meters (about 10 minutes) before starting the workout, though I'm sure a bit less would be OK.

Before a race I also need 5 to 10 minutes in the water, in part to get the shoulders feeling ready, but more importantly, to get used to the cold water.

I'm a fairly good swimmer, but that cold water can really mess me up (hyperventilation) if I don't prepare myself mentally and physically.  I need to get in the water, swim around and get into a regular breathing pattern, get used to freezing water on my face, get used to not seeing for more than about 12 inches, etc.  Then I can start a race confidently!

I'm always surprised how few people actually warm up in the water before a race.  I'll warm up for 10 minutes before the race, even if I have to wait an hour for my wave to start!

2007-06-01 3:20 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
the harder/faster my pace will be for the race, the more I warm up (i.e sprint/Oly) otherwise, 5-10 min easy swim is enough for me.
2007-06-01 3:23 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Expert
902
500100100100100
Wylie, TX
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
200 meters
2007-06-01 5:15 PM
in reply to: #825893

User image

Champion
9407
500020002000100100100100
Montague Gold Mines, Nova Scotia
Subject: RE: How long do you warm up for the swim start?
Like Jorge, if I want to swim as fast as I can, a longer workout is best. I've had my best 1000mTT after warming up for around 1500m first. However, that's a lot of swimming before a sprint/oly start so typically it will be around 10' if I can get it.

Anything longer and I am only going to get in and make sure my wetsuit is on properly, goggles are good and that I've had my head in the water (about 5' of swimming).

Shane

Edited by gsmacleod 2007-06-01 5:16 PM

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How long do you warm up for the swim start? Rss Feed