Any other triathlon newbies?
BecomingMoreAwesome
Posts: 151 Member
Anybody else training for their first triathlon?
A few friends and I are doing a Supersprint in February (pool, but outdoor-brrrr!). My goal is just to finish. I’m not too worried about finishing the ride or run (only 5 miles and 2 miles, respectively), but I really need to improve my swimming technique in order to finish the swim. Right now in the pool I’m like the couch25k newbie who sprints every run, but I literally can’t figure out how to slow down without running out of breath in the pool.
A few friends and I are doing a Supersprint in February (pool, but outdoor-brrrr!). My goal is just to finish. I’m not too worried about finishing the ride or run (only 5 miles and 2 miles, respectively), but I really need to improve my swimming technique in order to finish the swim. Right now in the pool I’m like the couch25k newbie who sprints every run, but I literally can’t figure out how to slow down without running out of breath in the pool.
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Replies
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not a newbie - but a triathlete - if you have any questions, ask away - there are a few of us on the board1
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I would love to do a triathlon, but I don't swim well. I also live in a rural community where access to a YMCA or other facility to learn to swim better isn't a good option.1
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Congrats on deciding to enter a triathlon. Its a great sport.
When swimming, just think "bubbles, bubbles, breathe" as you exhale bubbles in time with your arm cadence. That will help you slow down and find your balance in the water. And if you have any other swimming questions, just ask @deannalfisher, because she's a fish, lol!!1 -
deannalfisher wrote: »not a newbie - but a triathlete - if you have any questions, ask away - there are a few of us on the board
Thanks! I’m poking around on the US Masters Swim site for more info, and my husband who swam competitively in high school is going to (try to) give me tips. When I breathe every other stroke I feel like I’m hyperventilating, when I breathe every 4th I feel like I’m running out of breath, and when I try every 3rd I get water up my nose (I don’t like breathing on the left). Lol I think I’m breathing out too quickly.0 -
garystrickland357 wrote: »I would love to do a triathlon, but I don't swim well. I also live in a rural community where access to a YMCA or other facility to learn to swim better isn't a good option.
For a while I was taking lessons with someone who primarily teaches kids in her home pool. She runs an adult class, but doesn’t advertise it. Maybe try contacting whoever teaches the local kids to see if they’ll do adult lessons?2 -
I think swimming sounds nice but, this is going to sound stupid, but I don't really know how to swim. I can swim around like for fun, but I don't know how to do the "strokes" or whatever they're called. I'm always afraid I will look like a fool.0
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I think swimming sounds nice but, this is going to sound stupid, but I don't really know how to swim. I can swim around like for fun, but I don't know how to do the "strokes" or whatever they're called. I'm always afraid I will look like a fool.
This is where I was before I started lessons, but clearly I missed something important!0 -
I think swimming sounds nice but, this is going to sound stupid, but I don't really know how to swim. I can swim around like for fun, but I don't know how to do the "strokes" or whatever they're called. I'm always afraid I will look like a fool.
Have you seen the getup we wear??? Looking like a fool is a given.4 -
I think swimming sounds nice but, this is going to sound stupid, but I don't really know how to swim. I can swim around like for fun, but I don't know how to do the "strokes" or whatever they're called. I'm always afraid I will look like a fool.
Have you seen the getup we wear??? Looking like a fool is a given.
@jjpptt2, Why would you say that??
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BecomingMoreAwesome wrote: »garystrickland357 wrote: »I would love to do a triathlon, but I don't swim well. I also live in a rural community where access to a YMCA or other facility to learn to swim better isn't a good option.
For a while I was taking lessons with someone who primarily teaches kids in her home pool. She runs an adult class, but doesn’t advertise it. Maybe try contacting whoever teaches the local kids to see if they’ll do adult lessons?
Did agree with this - find a teacher who will get in the water with you and help you; masters is great if you have a solid grip on strokes/pacing (make it a goal to aim for if you want)0 -
Congrats on deciding to enter a triathlon. Its a great sport.
When swimming, just think "bubbles, bubbles, breathe" as you exhale bubbles in time with your arm cadence. That will help you slow down and find your balance in the water. And if you have any other swimming questions, just ask @deannalfisher, because she's a fish, lol!!
Not sure if I should like or woo this....1 -
deannalfisher wrote: »Congrats on deciding to enter a triathlon. Its a great sport.
When swimming, just think "bubbles, bubbles, breathe" as you exhale bubbles in time with your arm cadence. That will help you slow down and find your balance in the water. And if you have any other swimming questions, just ask @deannalfisher, because she's a fish, lol!!
Not sure if I should like or woo this....
Anyone with your swim endurance is a "fish", and that is high praise in open water swimming.
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deannalfisher wrote: »Congrats on deciding to enter a triathlon. Its a great sport.
When swimming, just think "bubbles, bubbles, breathe" as you exhale bubbles in time with your arm cadence. That will help you slow down and find your balance in the water. And if you have any other swimming questions, just ask @deannalfisher, because she's a fish, lol!!
Not sure if I should like or woo this....
Anyone with your swim endurance is a "fish", and that is high praise in open water swimming.
We’ll see - my butt has to get back in the water next week...1 -
Well done on having a go with triathlons.
When starting i first simply focused on my buoyancy, namely floating to get familiar with water placement and water confidence to be relaxed. Without this, you'll be breathless within a length due to an inefficient drag. I then introduced stroke skills and technique, focusing on the forward reach, catch and return; not to mention correct breathing, learning driving propulsion from the hips, pointed toes and appropriate leg kick. It sounds a lot but essentially its relaxed buoyancy and technique. More importantly have fun and enjoy!
Having a coach in the first instance is a great idea to learn good swim skill and technique. if you intend to go open water swimming, you may need a coach who can hekp with the additional skillset for the chop, swell and spotting (navigation).
It might be also worth looking up your local Tri club, as there are generally coaches attached to a club, who may offer training may be included into your membership.
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I was on a sprint relay team in Sept, I did the swim leg. The next week I bought my first bike in 30 years and plan to do an individual sprint (at least one) next summer.
My advice is to breathe every other stroke on your preferred side. You need to breathe out bubbles on every stroke and you have to figure out how to slow down. I strongly urge you to take adult lessons or get into Master's Swim class. Swimming is ALL technique. I could swim, but started Master's about 8 months ago and I can't even tell you how much it has helped. There are so many little things that make a huge difference.
If you're female, check out the Women for Tri Facebook page.
And we look really COOL!
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I was on a sprint relay team in Sept, I did the swim leg. The next week I bought my first bike in 30 years and plan to do an individual sprint (at least one) next summer.
My advice is to breathe every other stroke on your preferred side. You need to breathe out bubbles on every stroke and you have to figure out how to slow down. I strongly urge you to take adult lessons or get into Master's Swim class. Swimming is ALL technique. I could swim, but started Master's about 8 months ago and I can't even tell you how much it has helped. There are so many little things that make a huge difference.
If you're female, check out the Women for Tri Facebook page.
And we look really COOL!
Thanks for the advice! Also, woah, in that last shot you look exactly like a cousin of mine. I’m trying to think of the least creepy or revealing way to ask whether you’re my cousin. If you have an older cousin Tina in Chicago, I’m her daughter.0 -
BecomingMoreAwesome wrote: »
Thanks for the advice! Also, woah, in that last shot you look exactly like a cousin of mine. I’m trying to think of the least creepy or revealing way to ask whether you’re my cousin. If you have an older cousin Tina in Chicago, I’m her daughter.
Nope!0 -
BecomingMoreAwesome wrote: »
Thanks for the advice! Also, woah, in that last shot you look exactly like a cousin of mine. I’m trying to think of the least creepy or revealing way to ask whether you’re my cousin. If you have an older cousin Tina in Chicago, I’m her daughter.
Nope!
Oh phew! MFP and family life colliding would be too weird.
I swam again today and managed 500 yards (with a whole lotta breaks). I slowed down a lot and that helped, and I also made peace with just flipping over to backstroke when I felt like my breathing was annoying.0 -
Also, I don’t actually know how to do breast stroke. I just pretend I’m Kermit the frog whenever I need a breathing break and don’t want to backstroke.0
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BecomingMoreAwesome wrote: »Also, I don’t actually know how to do breast stroke. I just pretend I’m Kermit the frog whenever I need a breathing break and don’t want to backstroke.
Do you side stroke? That's my go-to alternate. I did open water last summer and it was uncomfortable doing breast stroke in a wet suit.0 -
BecomingMoreAwesome wrote: »Also, I don’t actually know how to do breast stroke. I just pretend I’m Kermit the frog whenever I need a breathing break and don’t want to backstroke.
Do you side stroke? That's my go-to alternate. I did open water last summer and it was uncomfortable doing breast stroke in a wet suit.
No, but I’ll give it a try next time I’m in the water. Sunday is a bike day, and my next water day is Tuesday. Right now we’re doing two swim days/week instead of two run days like the plan calls for, because we’ve all felt confident that we can walk the 2 miles if we need to, but not so confident about swimming 16 lengths. Now that we’ve actually done it (and more! But again, with lotsa breaks), we’ll probably switch back to doing the training program as written.0 -
I’m still chugging along! The race is in about 3 weeks, and I’m doing better with my swimming, but still can’t do 400 yards without a break. This is a very newbie-friendly race though, and the race director says that taking breaks is fine as long as we let people pass.
I’ve been practicing at the Y, which doesn’t allow outside coaches but also has a 2+ month waitlist for adult coaching. Maybe my turn will come up before the race.0 -
Sounds like you're making great progress. Can't wait to hear your race report. Go get 'em!!1
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Keep it going!1
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I’m not a triathlete but I swam competively for years. For stroke work, think about when you bring your arm out of the water to lightly drag the tips of your fingers along the top of the water as you bring it forward. It will help with ease of motion and conserving energy. Then when you put your hand in the water at the top, think about making half a keyhole with your hand as you bring it underneath you in the water.
Breathe when your comfortable in the beginning. Start adding an every other stroke breath every couple yards or so.
I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon but live somewhere that doesn’t have much water and I can’t get myself to get in our nasty “lake” and I use that term loosely.
Good luck!1 -
I’m not a triathlete but I swam competively for years. For stroke work, think about when you bring your arm out of the water to lightly drag the tips of your fingers along the top of the water as you bring it forward. It will help with ease of motion and conserving energy. Then when you put your hand in the water at the top, think about making half a keyhole with your hand as you bring it underneath you in the water.
Breathe when your comfortable in the beginning. Start adding an every other stroke breath every couple yards or so.
I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon but live somewhere that doesn’t have much water and I can’t get myself to get in our nasty “lake” and I use that term loosely.
Good luck!
Thanks for the tips!
Fortunately, this race is in a pool. I’m definitely not up for an open water race yet. It’s actually meant as a sales pitch for their athletic center, so I may try to see if I can get a guest pass for coaching there.1 -
I did the super sprint triathlon and met all of my goals!
finish +
less than an hour and a half + (I was 1:07)
not last +
My friend who talked us into this wants to do a sprint triathlon in September, and I’m super nervous but I’ll probably let her talk me into it. I mean, what else will I do with these shorts?1 -
You know Triathlon’s are like pringles - you can’t do just one
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