Just concentrate on gliding through the water. And, honestly, don't worry too much about the swim. For many people, the swim is a mental game. It takes technique and fitness and everything, but if you're comfortable, then you'll do fine. Just don't worry about going fast and stuff, and just try to make your way smoothly through the water.

Good luck. Let us know how the trek towards a mile goes.

I was in the same spot this January. I felt comfortable on the bike and run and considered myself to be in pretty good shape, and then I got in the pool. As I was struggling through the water the lifeguard actually said, "You're a runner aren't you, endurance out there doesn't mean endurance in here." It took me about 8 weeks to go from 1 lap to 42 laps (1.2 miles). Biggest advice I have is don't let the frustration set it. Keep your mind on the goal and get back in the pool tomorrow. Focus on technique and like someone told me, "Stop kicking so much."

Right. I definitely felt like I was kicking like a mad man. I actually read somewhere that to save energy you should stop kicking and just use your arms. But I couldn’t stop. I felt if I stopped kicking I would sink. I guess I’m just so used to using my legs when I bike.

Yes, it is open water. I can imagine open water will be totally different than the pool. Finding a group sounds like a good idea. I think I will also sign up for a coaching session to help with my technique. I'm not really sure I even used a technique... I think my technique is try not to sink and make it to the other side of the pool.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

I did my first tri on May 1. On my first swim at the end of November I was only able to do 1 lenghth of the pool before I had to stop. It's a different way of breathing and you need to get comfortable in the water. I began swimming 3 times a week and by January I was swimming a mile without stopping. My first Tri I swam the .9 mile in 33 min. Not great, but I had more then enough for the bike and run.

The advice I can give is to keep hitting the pool and you'll see your time improve, you'll become more comfortable and you'll begin to learn how to breath.

Good Luck
D

Give it some time... Remember when you first tried to run a mile, or 6? Biked 20 or 30mi? Don't get so discouraged after just one day, you can do it!

Getting a lesson is a good way to go, but don't be too hard on yourself. Just relax and build up your endurance, slowly. Running/biking endurance doesn't translate very much at all; I am a decent/above average swimmer and am a really slow runner, and I've been helping a friend with swimming who is having trouble and he is a much faster runner than myself. Be patient and you'll get there!

We all suck at something in our sport. It is called a limiter. We ask ? like you did to get better. You can do it!

+1
Definitely take it SLOW if you're having trouble. If that plan is too much too soon, try breaking the distances down. For instance, do the sets in increments of 25 and do the recommended total for the day.

OTOH, the swim lessons will probably be a great kick start

+1 on getting a coach. Swimming is about 90% technique and 10% endurance and strength, as opposed to biking and running. The fittest athletes can struggle in the pool with poor technique. Also, kicking, done incorrectly, can actually detract from your stroke and cause you to sink worse. This is especially true if you are either A) Bending your knees too much when you kick and/or B) Not using flexible ankles when you kick. Most athletes I work with have one or both of these issues, and solving them suddenly allows them to kick moderately and not sink (along with fixing body positioning issues). A good coach should be able to take you to where you can comfortably swim the distance in a matter of weeks. Good luck!

Determination is half the battle... glide and breath through the water. It is your friend! Keeps in the know on how it goes. Newbies can learn from you.

Cold... Had a friend take cold showers for months prior to his race to adapt to the cold water. I suck it up. Pac Grove in Monterey, Ca you get out of the cold and get back in! It takes the breath away. To compbat any cold weather or swim put a thermos in your transition area with hot water. See the people envey you!

I don't think that page is correct:

Are they serious? I can honestly say that having someone watch me and point out the issues, combined with assistance from forums like this, made a HUGE difference... if I'd just kept trying to go further hoping this would just go away, I'd be missing so much.

jono

Uh yeah, that's just crazy. I could show you so many people who swim at our club who have the same terrible stroke year after year. And others who get coaching who go from 2:15 average 100's to 1:35 average 100's in a season. Some beginners will be able to rectify problems on their own. Some people are born with a higher aptitude for the water and much more body awareness than others. For most swimmers, coaching is a great way to improve their technique quickly and gain confidence in the water.

Having loosely followed that program I can say it works (for me). Last April I never swam laps before. I got into the pool on my first day and barely made it across the pool once. It took many weeks to get into any form of 'laps' (the repeated action of going back and forth across the pool in succession). But, practice makes progress. I kept at it - 3 times a week - and slowly increased the volume.

I tend to agree a bit though with the author in that for the first few weeks you just need to make it across the pool. While I'm learning how incredibly important technique is now - I think if I were to try and learn all of the things I'm learning now those first few weeks I would have drown in too much information (or just simply drown).

To be clear - I think a coach is a VERY good way to go. But if you have any ability to read up a bit online, your first few weeks might be better spent self correcting a bit - and then getting a coach.

I relate to everything said here so far. When I first started swimming in January I was in great shape (or so I thought). Doesn't every runner think the pool will be a cinch? After 20 laps I got out of the pool and literally could not walk. My legs were like rubber. I tripped over my own two feet and noticed the 19 yr old life guard hiding a snicker. Now, here we are in July and I am easily doing 750m and transitioning to the bike with no problem. Stick with it. Like any other sport, endurance and skill come with perseverance.

However, I can not seem to find a swim coach. If my rec center offered anything even remotely close to a "triathlon swim lesson" I'd be all over it. But so far, I have not been able to find anyone offering this kind of instruction. My husband, a former swimmer, gives the best advice he can, but he is not a coach, so I am not sure I am improving. I can only assume my stroke is totally inefficient. My tri is Aug 3 so I am just going to go for it! Best of luck to you as well!

I think that both of you should try some floating during your swim training. Just the "dead man's" float will help emmensely for you. Even starting the floating just on your back to see how long you can go without having to turn up to breath (as with the "dead man's" float). If you can master the float, you won't have any problem with sinking or swimming at a 45 degree angle.

That makes sense. I actually met with a coach yesterday and it helped quite a bit. She had me do a drill where I just glide/float on one side while kicking to the other side of the pool. The first couple times were a little difficult because I felt like I was sinking and had to kick really hard. But then as soon as I figured out that if I just lay flat in the water and trust that I will float and also didn't try to hurry, it almost seemed effortless. It also helped me feel more comfortable in the water.
I definitely need more practice but I can tell if I keep swimming it will become easier.

Great job! :)