Open water swim
314
Member
1391 days
ryan16 posted 3 years ago.
Great job it is always nice when things go are way. Great job keep it up and happy training!
PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER!
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't you are right!
53
Member
1344 days
blueraider_mike posted 3 years ago.
Congrats. Isn't it amazing when you overcome your fears. Be sure and always try to experience the water in different conditions - such as choppy water as well as calm so that by race day you will be prepared. Never good to experience something new on race day - see below.
Not that I am a veteren but made one big major mistake during the Mach Tenn triathlong this Saturday. The swim in a 1000 meter open water swim. Just a word to the wise and note to myself: Self, when going to a triathlon always bring a back up pair of goggles and test the suckers before you race. I have been bragging about the wonder NON-LEAKING capabilities of my aquashprere XP's when low and behold the starter taps me on the back I take off, run thru the water, ease my self into a streamline position and then within 10 seconds - my goggle are totally filled with water!!!!! I think there are fish swimming in my goggles. What was worse is the conditions were rough, lots of chop in the water. I roll on my back 25 meters into the race to fix the goggles and then roll back in the water- major leakage still. 50 meters in the race I am a little paniced! 75 meters in the race I swim over to a boat and take my goggles off and notice the freaking seal is ripped!!!! Its so funny now, but at the time I was so pissed. What a silly mistake. Think about all the preparation you do, all the gear you bring. Keep in mind that I wear contacts so the fact that I don't need water rushing in my goggles is an overstatement. I decide to move on- I make the next marker and am still in a panic cause I can't keep the suckers from leaking. I was think my whole race is shot - the swim to me is like the driver in golf, you just got to keep it in the fairway - or you need to complete the swim rested to set up the rest of your race. I make it to the next marker, this is the longest 1K swim of my life. About half way, I realized that I will finish and tell myself to relax. Suddenly, I make it out of the water about 5 minutes after I had planned. I wanted to swim it around 17-18 minutes and walked out in 23:05. When on to have a great bike and OK run. I was mad at first but as time goes by I realize that this is what our sport is all about - overcoming.
The lesson to the story is twofold: test and bring a pair of back up pair goggles and look forward to the unexpected.
33
Member
1284 days
trimommy posted 3 years ago.
bummer about your goggles, good tip. we all have those days though sometimes, even race day. better next time I bet huh........... :D
10
Member
1410 days
mccrorym posted 3 years ago.
I had my first open water swim on Sunday. I had a friend paddle along side in my kayak, just in case. The lake i went to has a lot of boat traffic so I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get run over. The water was a great temperature. It had about 2 feet of muck at the bottom but I could stand up if I had needed to. It was the first time I didn't have to stop at a wall and turn around (I don't know how to flip in the pool). On the way out I was a little scared and i had to keep telling my friend where to be and where to go (his first time in a kayak). I swam all the way back without stopping and it felt great!!! I did swallow a little water and choked a bit but I guess that goes along with learning all the things that can happen in open water. I'm definitly going out again soon!
45
Member
1326 days
makscooter posted 3 years ago.
blueraider_mike wrote:
I have been bragging about the wonder NON-LEAKING capabilities of my aquashprere XP's when low and behold the starter taps me on the back I take off, run thru the water, ease my self into a streamline position and then within 10 seconds - my goggle are totally filled with water!!!!! I think there are fish swimming in my goggles..
Aren't the aquaspheres XP's dual compartments; one for each eye. I've run/swam with only one contact lens in. As long as you can see the buoys or race course with one eye. Having said that, it's always better with binocular vision.
211
Member
1431 days
Scout posted 3 years ago.
Me too! I had my first open water swim yesterday. It was also my first swim in a wetsuit. We (my son and I) got into the lake between huge passing storms so the water was pretty choppy. But I had a decent experience and I cannot wait to go back! My sweet husband agreed to sit on the dock this Friday morning so that I can give it another go... :)
45
Member
1326 days
makscooter posted 3 years ago.
Had a 35 min. swim off Santa Monica Beach.
Met a Florida IM'er; told me to go further away from shore to avoid the swells. Practised sighting. and quick peeking. You pretty much have to build up the confidence that you're going in a straight line parallel to shore, because the sighting of sun and buildings on shore gives you some orientation but only over the long haul; many meters, ie. Also, I coated my goggles with a silicone lubricant anti-fogger. Did the job. It's all good, except for a pulled calf muscle from a spinning session. Arggg.
4940
Member
1726 days
beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
I have done most of my training in the pool over the winter.
For open water I try and swim with someone in a boat or with a partner.
If not I keep close to the shoreline.
I also use a lifeguard recue can. The strap goes over my shoulder and I barely notice it over my
wetsuit, the line is back past my feet, and there isn't any drag I can feel.
If I get a cramp or any other problem I have a little help.
Nothing to it, but to do it
well I did it, I took the plunge in the lake after a horribly cold return to it last week. Last week I could not get my rhythm, breathing, anything down, but today totally diff! It was perfect today. I swam along with my training bud who does not feel comfy in open water swims. I took it slow with her and coached her along with a lot of praise and positive words. I needed it too! We did not even time it just a relaxing swim to build confidence in my friend, and secretly to help me get over my bad feelings about my last open water swim last week. She did great, I am so proud of her. Going back to swim again tomorrow to help her confidence again.
Went for a bike ride afterwards and had my fatest ride to date (for me) :rolleyes: Sprint race is this weekend, second time racing in it, getting a little excited now. The big one is in two weeks for me, my first olympic. So, swim with a buddy if you are not comfortable in open waters, knowing someone is with you does wonders for your self confidence and theirs.
ps. those who recommended keeping my eyes closed in the water......IT WORKED! Great idea. I love this site, very helpful. Thanks guys.