Terrible Swim Start
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CadenceGuy posted 20 weeks ago.
OWS compared to pool swimming is a completely different world. Its going to take some time to get acustomed to swimming without the 'black line'. Everyone to a point still has a little bit of OW axiety, you just have to keep hitting the water more and more to get used to it. As far as I know there isnt really an all around trick to getting under control in the water, just have to get in there and find out what works for you; thats a lot of what this sport is about. Good luck!
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1162 days
fastdog5 posted 20 weeks ago.
For me, getting into the water beforehand, especially if the water is cold, helps a ton. Leave time to swim for a few minutes before the race. Also if you're new, it can help to stay back & to the outside to stay out of the fray, as that's one more thing that you don't deal with in the pool & can cause anxiety. Good luck!
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522 days
fawcettenator posted 20 weeks ago.
If you are swimming at the race and aren't too comfortable try to start at the back of the pack. Then if you find yourself having problems you can turn and float on your back for a few seconds, and regain rhythmic breathing. Other than that I would say +1 to cadenceguy try to do more open water swimming and you will get more comfortable.
Tired is a state of mind, exhaustion is a state of body.
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142 days
3things posted 20 weeks ago.
Good tips, all. Thanks! I definitely shorted myself by not warming up in the open water before both races, a mistake I will not make again.
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1767 days
RV posted 20 weeks ago.
I had that happen to me a few times - what worked for me was to force myself to exhale hard - that got my breathing under control - otherwise I was breathing really shallow and hyperventilated.
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1249 days
spacemonkey posted 20 weeks ago.
I have the same problem. Last race I tried a distraction game like thinking of all the animals that started with A then B then C...a new animal with each stroke. It helped me calm down, focus and then after a few minutes of that I was over the oh eekkk help me feeling. Sounds silly but it worked for me.
I did my first two tri's ever this year - one Olympic and one Sprint - for both events I had some serious anxiety issues during the first part of the swim (say 200-400 yards). I couldn't get into any kind of groove and I could barely catch my breath and felt like I was flailing around. Eventually I settled down, but it took quite a while and I burned a ton of energy in the process. Anyone have any good tips to help get myself under control? It's the only time during the race I have trouble focusing and I know I am costing myself precious minutes. Would love to hear how others deal with this - surely I'm not the only one??