Break while swimming
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SueR posted 20 weeks ago.
Breaststroke works too, gives you a chance to see where you are, catch your breath etc. the backstroke works, but you can't sight and it pisses people off (read: pisses me off) because you generally go off course. Work on doing some slower but longer open water sections to get yourself used to no breaks. I do an alternation in my breathing from bilateral for one or two to lateral for a while to catch my breath.
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tri-ac posted 20 weeks ago.
please no whip kicks in a group!
if you're near others, try the backstroke...please!
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840 days
TryScott posted 20 weeks ago.
There are lifeguards with floating boards available. As long as you do not advance while holding on to one, you can use them to rest. However, I would not suggest planning pit stops at lifeguards ahead of time (unless you see a cute guard and want to pickup a date and swim coach).
Keep practicing with the breathing, relaxing, and other strokes. You'll find out that when push comes to shove, the race adrenalin with give you some motivation to finish without a break.
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319 days
dkhartung posted 20 weeks ago.
You said you were new to triathlons, so I wouldn't sweat taking a swim break too much. If you need to take a break every few hundred meters, do it. Others may disagree, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone win a race in the swim, but I've seen plenty of people blow themselves up on the swim.
Just be considerate of others and stay on the outside if you're going to take a few breastrokes and catch your breath. The amount of time you lose with 4-5 easy strokes really isn't much in the context of total time in the race.
I'll frequently flop onto my back for a couple strokes to see what's behind me, flip over for a few breaststrokes, and off I go. As long as you're not stopping in front of someone, go for it. Your total race time is much more dependent on the bike and the run, so do what you need to to hammer that bike!
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TryScott posted 20 weeks ago.
dkhartung wrote:
Your total race time is much more dependent on the bike and the run, so do what you need to to hammer that bike!
So you're that guy... float on water... HAMMER on bike... walk/shuffle on run.
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dduerde posted 20 weeks ago.
thanks, i've been working on going longer distances without breaks during my workouts but with the triathlon so close im not sure i'll be able to make it in time and just wanted to see what the best and least annoying to other people way to catch a little air.
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dkhartung posted 20 weeks ago.
I guess hammer was a bit strong ;-)
Last race I went :31(S)/2:24(B)/1:45 (R) for 5:05 out at the KS70.3, still got smoked by some really fast dudes. I do try and keep it somewhat balanced.
Thanks for catching me on that one TryScott!
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IthinkIcan posted 20 weeks ago.
tri-ac wrote:
please no whip kicks in a group!if you're near others, try the backstroke...please!
Pardon my ignorance... but what is a 'whip kick?
and for the OP, maybe you could do a sidestroke to coast a bit more to catch your breath without having to flip about or stop completely. I think you could stay mobile and breath pretty well like that and still keep up your sighting.
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Captain Mal posted 20 weeks ago.
That's just a name for the breast stroke kick.
Lot's of people take a rest here and there on the swim. Especially when you have a multi-loop course with people swimming over each other, however, I much prefer when people rest on their backs rather than by breaststroaking. A flutter kick to the face while someone is swimming freestyle or backstroke is one thing, a whip kick to the face or side is a whole 'nuther story.
"Faster would be better!" -Captain Mal, Serenity-
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rellis12 posted 18 weeks ago.
dduerde,
I am in the same boat, not that great a swimmer, have gone the distance more than a couple of times, but am terribly slow at it. For some reason the swim pegs my heart rate so much more than the bike and run...it is getting better, but so goshdarn slow. I too only have til Aug 2nd for my big premier and think I will look altogether stupid on the swim. But whatever, it is only a step on the journey to my IM dreams. Good luck and keep truckin.
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158 days
rellis12 posted 17 weeks ago.
Hey I perfected my side stroke, no more pegging heart rate, no more terrified feeling like I might die. got my swim down to 19 minutes for 1km....keep at it.
Im new to triathlons and have been training for about a month now. I'm doing a tri in a couple weeks that requires a .6 mile swim in it. I've been becoming a stronger swimmer but still feel that i dont think ill be able to finish the swim without getting some extra air, i've been using breast stroke as a recovery. Does anyone have any helpful hints they use when swimming long distances as a recovery that may be better that breast stroke. Thanks.