Open Water Swim Anxiety & Queries
RaeN81
Posts: 534 Member
Hello,
I know this is lame, but I have my first open water swims this season and they are causing me some anxiety. I have a wetsuit and I know that this increases buoyancy so that helps me feel a little less nervous but the idea of being out there with the fishes and the waves still makes me apprehensive. I have been pool training for the first couple of races that are pool based. I will need to train a few times in a lake soon though since I have an open water swim in early July. My questions are as follows:
How do you train for an open water swim?
How do you track the distance for an open water swim?
Is there a watch or another device that you would recommend for tracking the swim? (Preferably reasonably priced--though I know trigear is usually expensive!)
I know this is lame, but I have my first open water swims this season and they are causing me some anxiety. I have a wetsuit and I know that this increases buoyancy so that helps me feel a little less nervous but the idea of being out there with the fishes and the waves still makes me apprehensive. I have been pool training for the first couple of races that are pool based. I will need to train a few times in a lake soon though since I have an open water swim in early July. My questions are as follows:
How do you train for an open water swim?
How do you track the distance for an open water swim?
Is there a watch or another device that you would recommend for tracking the swim? (Preferably reasonably priced--though I know trigear is usually expensive!)
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Replies
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I was born and raised in Florida. I have been in and out of water all my life....playing....not necessarily swimming. Last year, I joined my first Tri group. I was crazy anxious over swimming out to buoys. My coach had me swim with a floatie looking bean thing. I tied a long light weight cord around it and at the end I attached a D ring clamp. The D ring clamp allowed it to hook around my waist and the length really did not impede training. I used it quite a bit in the beginning, our group affectionately termed it my blankie. Lol. At the 4th weekend, coach took it away. After hyperventalating a moment, I was fine. perserverence and determination! 0 -
How do you train for an open water swim?
How do you track the distance for an open water swim?
Is there a watch or another device that you would recommend for tracking the swim? (Preferably reasonably priced--though I know trigear is usually expensive!)
- Can you swim where your tri is going to be held? Is there a lake nearby?
- Pick a landmark that you use for sighting. Usually, in a tri, you can sorta swim from buoy to buoy!
- Don't worry about tracking distance; instead, train by time when you do your open water swims.
On my final open water swim before my Ironman race, I had two friends in a canoe next to me with my Garmin. I swam til I reached the distance I needed to do for that.0 -
If you can, train in the water where your tri will be a few times. This gets you comfortable to your surroundings. The wetsuit gives great buoyancy, I love it. If you ever feel threatened in the water, you just roll onto your back and you can float with no energy at all. There's also lots of people watching in the water either in boats or on boards with you looking for anyone who gets in trouble. You can always grab hold of these for a few seconds to calm yourself.
I have no answers for your other 2 questions. I just try to swim to a certain landmark then back, it's always about getting comfortable to the open water.0 -
How do you train for an open water swim?
How do you track the distance for an open water swim?
Is there a watch or another device that you would recommend for tracking the swim? (Preferably reasonably priced--though I know trigear is usually expensive!)
- Can you swim where your tri is going to be held? Is there a lake nearby?
- Pick a landmark that you use for sighting. Usually, in a tri, you can sorta swim from buoy to buoy!
- Don't worry about tracking distance; instead, train by time when you do your open water swims.
On my final open water swim before my Ironman race, I had two friends in a canoe next to me with my Garmin. I swam til I reached the distance I needed to do for that.
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Don't worry about the bouyancy. I'd made sure the sharks and pirahnas are not tailing you.
Swim fast! 0 -
Train in the water your OWS will be in if possible, if not, get in the nearest lake or ocean and swim. Don't worry about the distance, just swim. Don't worry about the fish as much as you should worry about the current. The open water is brutal compared to the pool and the feeling of exhaustion from swimming in open water is overwhelming at first. In your pool training, swim about twice the distance as your OWS to get used to the tired feeling you'll have near the end of the OWS.
Fish and other animals are almost always scared of you as long as you are moving & splashing, don't worry.0 -
Fish and other animals are almost always scared of you as long as you are moving & splashing, don't worry.
It is the “almost” part that has be nervous of nature.0 -
Fish and other animals are almost always scared of you as long as you are moving & splashing, don't worry.
It is the “almost” part that has be nervous of nature.
LOL, that is totally where I am at.0 -
Don't worry about the bouyancy. I'd made sure the sharks and pirahnas are not tailing you.
Swim fast!
More motivation, right?0 -
Are you in a tri club, or is there a tri club near you that you can join? Most tri clubs offer group OWS's during tri season, with kayakers and watchers. Plus there will be tons of people there to give you all sorts of friendly helpful tips, many of which will probably end up being specific to your particular event.
This is the best advice I know to give you. Sorry.0 -
Swim about twice the distance in the pool, Pool swims are much different than OWS's. The best thing to do is stay calm, keep your mind on the race and bouy's in sight. Be careful not to start too quick. Once the horn goes off you'll most likely forget about those things like fish. Find someone to hang with for a little extra security and safety. If you do get into trouble know the signal for the lifeguards so they can assist. OWS's can be fun so just have fun and you'll be fine.0
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I would also recommend that you understand how the start will work. Is it a mass start? Do you start in waves by age group? Many beginner friendly tris start out two by two according to your reported swim pace. Just relax if you bump into someone. In my experience, people are friendly and share your fears. Will you be in the ocean or freshwater? If it's ocean, make sure that you breathe on the side away from incoming surf. Have fun and good luck.0
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