First Sprint Tri

Joanna2012B

Hi all! I have registered for my first sprint tri this summer. I am very confident in the cycling and running part of it. The swimming is another story, I have started swimming lessons. I think I am a fairly fit woman, but still get very winded swimming 25m. I presume this will get easier the more I train? I was also wondering can I wear one "outfit" that will get me through all legs of the race?

lorrpb

I’ve done a few tris! Great that you signed up for swim lessons. Swimming is all about technique. Every triathlete struggles with it to some degree. It will get better as you improve your technique and build swimming specific fitness.
You can get a tri kit to wear throughout the race. They are expen$ive. The alternative is tri shorts and sports bra for the swim, then add a jersey for bike and run.
Check out Women for Tri Facebook page. Tons of info tips and support.
Have fun!
PS After you’re confident in the pool, you need to get in at least a few open water swims before your event. Preferably at the event venue if it’s nearby. I was already a decent swimmer but open water was a much different experience for me!
PPS Find out if you can use a wetsuit for the swim. It depends on the water temp. Usually they aren’t allowed above 78 degree water. These are also expensive but you can find used ones. Must be a tri wetsuit, not surfing or diving which are heavier bulkier and stiffer.

lemurcat2

It will definitely get easier. A huge part of swimming is technique, so the lessons will help.

I'm a longtime, confident swimmer, but just always figured I wasn't very fast (but can go forever) until I joined a coached swimming group that was part of a olympic tri training group I joined, and it made a big difference in speed (I'm still not fast, but faster than I was and I feel more comfortable).

One thing I still find difficult about tri swimming is (assuming you are in open water) is spotting so as to go where you want without swimming extra distance going in the wrong direction. If your lessons don't include that, some open water swims and practice with that would be helpful. And yes, open water experience is really helpful, especially if you can try the water in which you will be swimming (some venues are more apt to have waves, be crowded, etc., than others, so being prepared for that will make you more comfortable).

I've never used a wetsuit (they do help if the race is the right temp for them, but I just haven't gotten one partly because I wanted to prove to myself I would do enough races to make it worthwhile I tend to be sporatic). As for other clothes, I mostly wear the same thing for all legs (I've not done a sprint, but the same would apply).

I wore basically a tight sleeveless shell thing (typical tri gear) which zipped up the front with a sports bra and some tri shorts (like bike shorts but with less padding) for the swim and bike and run. I dried off during the bike. (One exception was the one half ironman I did where the run was around midday and it was in cornfields with no shade on a hot day. I managed to get burned on the bike despite sunscreen and so exchanged the shell for a shirt that covered my red shoulders. I would have extra stuff like that available even if you don't plan to use it.

Djproulx

Congrats on registering! That's the hard part, the rest is easy

As an adult onset swimmer, I can tell you that "yes" it does get easier with training and I believe you're approaching it the right way by taking lessons. Swimming is all about form and breathing. As you slow down and focus on form and breathing, you'll do less gasping for breath. That will reduce both your discomfort and uneasiness - it just takes some time.

Regarding what to wear: I'd guess that roughly 90% of triathletes wear a two piece tri suit during races. The suits are tight fitting (to reduce drag) and are made of spandex or similar material. The tops are either sleeveless or short sleeved, and the shorts have a thin chamois to provide some cushioning while on the bike. There is also typically a small pocket that is just large enough to hold a gel or similar item. There are lots of options for tri kits from many different manufacturers.

You can wear the tri suit under your wetsuit or as your swim suit. Other options include a one piece tri suit, or simply a pair of compression shorts and a dri fit style top. I wear my tri kit under my wetsuit, then just peel off the wetsuit and throw on bike shoes (no socks), helmet and shades at the first transition, then swapping out bike shoes and helmet for run shoes and my numbered race bib at the second transition. Easy and fast.

deannalfisher

congrats @Joanna2012B for making the plunge into the wonderful world of triathlon - as @Djproulx can likely confirm - triathlons are like pringles, you can't do just one

i think people have touched on the swim stuff pretty good - but adding my thoughts - most adult swim learners struggle the most with the breathing - you should breath every 2-3 strokes. i've seen lots of "swim teachers" encourging not breathing for 5-6 strokes and horrible swim form coming out of it. focus on pushing all the air out of your lungs before taking in a new breath - that way you get a good amount of air, otherwise you are trying to use older air to breath

re: race day kit - you can buy a race specific kit - but if i look way back when, my first trithlon - i swam in my swim suit and then threw on bike shorts and a t-shirt (for a sprint way back in 2007)...so don't feel like you need top drop tons of money for your first time. i do support the race belt idea though for your number

Joanna2012B

Wow...thank you all for such great suggestions. It'll be a while before I can do any open water swimming, but definitely plan on it when the weather warms up. I will certainly check out the Facebook page! The lessons I am in are geared for Triathlon training and my instructor is great. I made the mistake of taking 5-6 strokes before a breath, he encouraged me to take one every 2nd stroke. It is much better, but I still have a lot to improve.

Djproulx

deannalfisher wrote: »

congrats @Joanna2012B for making the plunge into the wonderful world of triathlon - as @Djproulx can likely confirm - triathlons are like pringles, you can't do just one

@deannalfisher - I thought I would stop after one CAN of pringles, no??

i think people have touched on the swim stuff pretty good - but adding my thoughts - most adult swim learners struggle the most with the breathing - you should breath every 2-3 strokes. i've seen lots of "swim teachers" encourging not breathing for 5-6 strokes and horrible swim form coming out of it. focus on pushing all the air out of your lungs before taking in a new breath - that way you get a good amount of air, otherwise you are trying to use older air to breath

@Joanna2012B - My friend @deannalfisher is a fish, who I intend to draft behind in our next IM swim .;)

BrianSharpe

Good call on taking swimming lessons, the swim is the hardest part for many triathletes. With improved technique you'll be more relaxed in the water. I didn't swim that much until a few years ago and it was hard, having a good coach and encouraging clubmates made a huge difference and I've participated in both sprint & Olympic tris (hope to do my first half-iron this year) as well as a couple of 3km swimming races.

My swim coach encourages bi-lateral breathing (every 3rd stroke) to get you comfortable breathing on either side. You never know if it's going to be a bit choppy on race day.

As far as gear goes check out tri specific shorts. They're like cycling shorts with a lighter chamois, you can swim, bike and run in them (check out Chamois Butt'r) and they dry quick quickly.