New guy questions
4496
Member
1645 days
kylie posted 26 weeks ago.
Hi! Knowing the distances of the swim and run would help... but here is what I've got for general info:
For a vest for the swim, it makes it much harder to have good positioning in the water. Some people use the lifeguard floaty things by pulling them behind as they swim -- but personally I don't swim open water alone. Too scary for me :)
On the swim I recommend going barefoot if you can -- or perhaps put shoes in a dry bag, keep air in it, and drag that behind you. Shoes again make positioning in the water hard, and for me makes it less enjoyable to swim.
The wetsuit question depends on the temperature of the water. Also, if you then have to run carrying it that might be a pain. It might be a good idea to pick up a pair of compression shorts (tight shorts that look a like bike ones but with no padding) -- they might work well for the swim and run.
You mention you want to start doing this workout... are you going to train up to it, or just jump in and then repeat it? Be careful of injuries if it is the second case. Also, what is your goal with this workout? While it does sound like a fun adventure, doing all of them in a row isn't the best way to get stronger/faster/etc.
3
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184 days
Fatal posted 26 weeks ago.
Well thank you for you help, The lake I would say is just under a half mile, not too far for me to swim. The run would be about a mile and a half. I was thinking that one of those life guard style floaties would be good but rather bothersome on the run back. Here is what I was looking at
I do understand how it would slow me down in the water but I just see it being easier to run with. The small vest over a floatie. I will take a look at those air bags you mentioned. What do most of you have shoes waiting on the other side or I really don't know how you guys train.
I have been working on my running and somewhat on my swimming (pool) I am doing this for possible Military branch change to SF.
85
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220 days
overcome posted 26 weeks ago.
If the lake is close enough to your house you could swim a loop. If you swim close enough to the edge of the lake you might not need any flotation device. If you are wearing a wetsuit you are very buoyant and probably don't need anything else. Then you could do either a bike or a run from there without worrying as much about equipment.
BTW the only people who run in wetsuits are wrestlers trying to get down to weight;)
727
Member
536 days
theShiba posted 26 weeks ago.
I know that I have seen an emergency flotation device designed for triathletes. I think there was an ad in Triathlete about this. Maybe some of the other regulars here know what I am talking about, and can provide a link. If you are going to be doing it alone, you might want to consider making your own "transition areas" where you can stash some of your stuff, so that you don't have to swim with shoes, or run with a wetsuit. Perhaps there's a big bush that you can stash some running gear in, then change when you get out of the water? Then you could leave swim stuff there, and go pick it up after you are done?
3354
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1413 days
RV posted 26 weeks ago.
theShiba wrote:
I know that I have seen an emergency flotation device designed for triathletes. I think there was an ad in Triathlete about this. Maybe some of the other regulars here know what I am talking about, and can provide a link.
http://www.practicaltriathlon.com/www/blog//default.asp?id=35&comments=s...
An out and back swim allows for a transition for the bike/run at your start point - much easier logistically.
Wetsuit better approach than the flotation device above.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
93
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456 days
max ping posted 26 weeks ago.
i would like to swim here across a lake, but it is going to have to wait until i can get a canoe or kayak for my son to pace me... don't want to be run down in my "prime' from a drunk redneck in a bass boat. hope you thought of that equation.
for me, in your position. i would opt for a tow behind set up which in my mind would make it more "real", unless of course you are wearing that thing deflated until necessary.
plus i would do a local tri, they are fun, filled with awesome peeps, etc.
3
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184 days
Fatal posted 26 weeks ago.
Thank you all for your advice, I will look into all these options.
4940
Member
1726 days
beads1985 posted 26 weeks ago.
Semper Fi!!
Well if you are going to swim, first see if you can get a buddy to watch you or paddle behind you. I have been known to do an open water swim solo and I have a lifeguard rescue can
http://www.kiefer.com/Kiefer/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=620043&gift=False&0=de...
Works great. If you can swim close to shore.
Check you area for tri clubs and see if they have a group workout.
Safety in numbers, and most groups are cool to noobs, especially to us jarheads.
Good luck!!
Nothing to it, but to do it
4496
Member
1645 days
kylie posted 26 weeks ago.
Typically when we train we don't do all three sports -- sometimes two back to back, but not every time. So transitions (where we change between sports) are often our cars or houses, and then we leave on the second part from there.
Since I am new I'll introduce myself before I ask questions. I am a 24 year old male on the 6th of June. I am about to be getting out of the Marine here at the end of June and returning home to Minnesota. When I get there I want to start doing my own like triathlon / Marine workout, with that said.
Here this is what I would like to do. I want to some what do my own personal triathlon swim across our lake, run the rest of the way back then jump on a bike. I will be most likely doing this unsupervised so I was thinking about getting a inflatable life vest. Good or bad idea? also any suggestions on which kinds? I was looking at the ones the military uses... but they were like 10 years old. Would it be smart to wear basic running shoes or what? Should I run in swim in shorts or a wetsuit? Please don't flame me I figured I would come here and ask some questions some might be stupid too you but! I am trying to go safety first and have respect for the people who already do this, so who better to ask. ALL comments are welcome.
Thanks for your time.