triathlon

kbkat7
kbkat7 Posts: 28 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm training for my first sprint triathlon on July 26 the distances are 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3 mile run... the bike and run I have no problem with this swim however- dun dun dun!!! just wondering if anyone out there who is an average swimmer knows their half mile time? I've been trying to do 25-35 minute swims and was wondering if this should be enough to get me ready?!

Replies

  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    My average 1/2 mile is about 30 minutes, during a race I usually turn off my brain and can get it done in under 25. During training I'd try to spend at least 45 minutes in the water, then the actual race will feel shorter. I should also mention, I'm a pretty terrible swimmer and I"m built like a refrigerator. It shouldn't be too hard to be better than me!
  • kbkat7
    kbkat7 Posts: 28 Member
    awesome thank u! I'll definitely try to get some 45 minute swims in (but I honestly hate swimming so we'll see hahah)
  • Curtruns
    Curtruns Posts: 510 Member
    I have not completed a triathlon but spoke to several triathletes that struggle with the swim. I was instructed to ease into the water at the back of the pack and allow the crowd to swim ahead as it is a madhouse and difficult to get air and swim while you are getting kicked by other swimmers. Please understand that I have no first hand experience with this but I hope to soon :)
  • kbkat7
    kbkat7 Posts: 28 Member
    ^^ i total plan on letting all the crazies go wayyy ahead of me! trying to finish the race not get kicked in the head at the start haha
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
    Curtruns wrote: »
    I have not completed a triathlon but spoke to several triathletes that struggle with the swim. I was instructed to ease into the water at the back of the pack and allow the crowd to swim ahead as it is a madhouse and difficult to get air and swim while you are getting kicked by other swimmers. Please understand that I have no first hand experience with this but I hope to soon :)

    This! I was going to say for preparation swim laps through a water aerobics class while someone throws kickboards at you to learn how to navigate through the mad rush that triathlons become.

    Train for ~45 mins and try to get some open water time if you haven't already - huge difference from the pool.

    For your first event talk to others and try to find a pace buddy also helps to navigate through the transition zones if you watch where everyone is going and stay clear of packs.

    Enjoy it - multisport people are some of the best. Good luck!
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    kbkat7 wrote: »
    I'm training for my first sprint triathlon on July 26 the distances are 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3 mile run... the bike and run I have no problem with this swim however- dun dun dun!!! just wondering if anyone out there who is an average swimmer knows their half mile time? I've been trying to do 25-35 minute swims and was wondering if this should be enough to get me ready?!

    How far are you going in those 35 minutes? 900 yards (about a half mile) is about a 13 minute swim for me, but I am reasonably at the front of the pack in a short race.
  • kbkat7
    kbkat7 Posts: 28 Member
    I have a really hard time counting laps when I swim hah but think I did about 50 in 25 minutes... I'm definitely going to lengthen my swim times as much as I can and am hoping to get a few open water swims in! I did a mile race when I was super little and remember how confusing the open water got :( thank u all for u insight I'm super pumped
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    What size pool? And are you talking lengths or laps?
  • stephenrhinton
    stephenrhinton Posts: 522 Member
    There is a tremendously active and supportive Swimmers group I would check out if i were you over at
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/122-swimmers

    That being said, I am a very slow swimmer my personal best half-mile is 24 minutes. I've been swimming an hour/day for about 2 months. Started daily swimming about 5 months ago started at 30 minutes and worked my way up.

    Advice others have given is gold about getting away from the crowd and doing at least some open water training. Temperature, choppy water, no sight-guides, no turns, no chlorine ....all very different from lap swimming.

    I've been looking at local triathalons (for next year, I am way off) and for standard length 1500m swim middle of the pack time is about 30 minutes. So I figure I need to be twice as fast as I am now.
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