Swim Start
2334
Member
2427 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
Just posted an article on the swim start:
http://www.trifuel.com/triathlon/swim/surviving-the-tri-start-001064.php
Biggest thing is just to relax. The number of people at the start depends on the race size, but I think an average is 75-100 maybe. Just pick a spot, stick to your line, relax, and stay within your race. Try to keep from getting all hyped up and letting adrenaline get the best of you.
Good luck and have fun!
4499
Member
1645 days
kylie posted 3 years ago.
Like Tribro said, just relax. I tend to just get by for the first part of the swim, and soon find a place. I've done starts with 1 - ~2000 (from a reverse order tri where you hit the water when you go there, to IMAZ). Just focus on those swims that were comfortable. Keep them in your mind: you know you can do this, and you are going to do great!
Oh, and is it the Long Beach Tri, or Malibu?
16
Member
1177 days
PorterWB posted 3 years ago.
It can be chaotic, this probably don't apply to you, but one of my training partners was kicked in the "berries" at the start of oly distance race, makes for a looong 1500m swim. However, it may be best to position yourself in the back of your wave and let things sort out in front, once it spreads out you can find a good line. Sounds like you've done your open water homework so instead of doggy paddling maybe try swimming with your head tilted up a little more to keep an eye out in front for feet and such, at least in the beginning. Good luck sunday and keep your head up.
2455
Member
1332 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Race starts are messy, rough, and very VERY fun! At least you dont have to deal with the ultra competitve aholes in my age group. Last race, a guy tried to rip off my timing chip, and no, it wasnt an accident. Girls dont tend to be so aggressive, so u r lucky there!
As everyone else said, relax and enjoy yourself. Keep a pace you know you can hold and try to look for someone to draft behind. The first time is all about learning, so do just that.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
96
Member
1287 days
outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
The race is Malibu. Thanks that is great advice. Tribro....I just saw the article when I clicked back on the site. I will read it now. :-) That is crazy someone tried to rip off your chip! Yes, I am 29 so hopefully they won't be too nutty in my age group. I am thinking of starting in the back though for sure. I make up most of my time on the bike and run so I am going to swim as hard as I can....
56
Member
1189 days
WayNorth posted 3 years ago.
The early swim adrenalin outpouring can be exausting, with the first 1/8th of the swim feeling far worse than the remaining 7/8ths. The advice to remind yourself that you've got it wired is very useful. As well, unless you are thinking of getting a competitive time it is worth waiting for the masses to surge ahead or stay to the outside where things are calm and you can still get considerable drafting benefit. The little extra distance starting from the outside is insignificant compared to the benefit of staying relaxed.
It is amazing how collegial and helpfull everyone in triathlon is before the race and on the bike and run but they can be vicious in the water. Maybe it's being out of our natural element and feeling like it's him or me . Have fun and have a great day.
Garth
71
Member
1225 days
jaymac96 posted 3 years ago.
2 words: relax & have FUN!!!
No matter how much advice we all give you, the swim start is something you won't know about until you experience it first hand. I did my first tri 2 months ago, and had the same advice from everyone. But i totally freaked with all the kicking and craziness (I consider myself an excellent swimmer, with a competitive background) and did the breaststroke for about 100 yds until i caught my breath. Once i calmed down, i just started to swim like i was by myself, and did very well. You've done the ocean swims, so you know what to expect with the waves, current, sun, etc. Once you get passed the a-holes in the initial scrum, you'll do fine; just put your head down and take nice long strokes and sing (with your mouth closed of course!!!)
Kick A$$.
-Jay Mac
www.shorelinesharks.com
.jpg "CAcyclingFAN's picture")
555
Member
1184 days
CAcyclingFAN posted 3 years ago.
I would second Jaymac's comments and say do the breaststroke once in a while to get your wind or berrings if needed. Good luck! You will learn a ton from your first race.
When it's time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived. - Thoreau
21
Member
1309 days
Ohreally posted 3 years ago.
I agree with Jaymac. The swim has always been my worst event; but thanks to a great swim instructor, I actually have grown to love it. I completed an all female triathlon last Sunday and felt so relaxed at the start, and staying calm during the race helped. I stayed toward the outside and in back of the main pack. I found myself between 2 others almost the whole way, which was good since that helped pull me along. There was an undertow w/the waves going in and out at the same time; like swimming in a washing machin. My goggles were great and helped with visibility so I did very little looking around and swallowed water only twice. I swam straight and the buoys were literally at my shoulder on the turns. I stayed focus and concentrating on my breathing.
Upon exiting the water, my instructor was there cheering me on and that felt great. Running toward T1 I realized that I wasn't winded; and upon entering T1 there were ALOT of bikes. This was my best swim ever and I took almost 3 minutes off my previous time.
Overall it was my best race--to date--and everything went as planned. I put to use all the info I've learned on trifuel and it paid off big time for me.
Yea, you'll be scared the first time but you're only a virgin once. :) Have fun and keep tri-ing.
OH
4949
Member
1727 days
beads1985 posted 3 years ago.
Remember at a Sprint Tri there will be alot of less experienced swimmers there that are just as nervous or worse that you are feeling.
You have had lots of support here so you got that going for you.
Take it easy, go to the outside and let the frontrunners go.
Get into your groove and back off it people bump into you.
There are 2 less crowded legs remaining after the swim so don't stress.
Your first goal should be to finish.
Good Luck. You'll kick a$$ :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
96
Member
1287 days
outdoorgirl posted 3 years ago.
Thanks guys! I am totally getting excited...my team is meeting up there on Saturday to pick up our packets and go for a mellow ocean swim so at least I can get a feel for the currents up there too. I really appreciate all the great tips and support. Geez we should have a trifuel meeting somewhere someday!
202
Member
1694 days
driggins posted 3 years ago.
hi outdoorgirl,
im doing malibu this weekend as well. i did it last year and can say that it isn't your typical sprint swim--there are strong currents, and swells, but if youve done your training you should be fine. as everyone said, relax and stick to your pace.
also, the water is chilly, 58 right now, so bring your wetsuit...ill be bringing mine, unfortunately, as i was hoping to skin it this year...good luck!
dave
4
Member
1227 days
savery2151 posted 3 years ago.
Hi, Outdoorgirl.
I stumbled upon your posts looking for someone who was doing tri's on a mountain bike (as you started out doing), and now I can't wait to see how you do on Sunday!! I tried to e-mail and PM you, but no luck for some reason.
Anyway, best of luck!! Please let us know how you do, which I know will be great!
~S
Ok...this Sunday is my tri. I am getting nervous. Not really for the bike or run legs but for the swim. How crazy is it at the start and how many people do you normally start with? That is what i am worried about that i will be doggy paddling cause all the commotion will make me nervous to put my head in and swim. I have done about 6-7 ocean swims and the last two felt really comfortable just as long as the waves are not huge. Thanks to all for all the support over the last few months. This website is awesome!