I think it's a very individual thing, and depends on how long it takes you to warm up personally. For me, I have to swim a long ways before I feel really warmed up, so for a shorter race I might do a 5 - 10 minute warmup. For a longer race, like HIM to IM, I figure the swim *is* the warmup;) and I may or may not get in ahead of time depending on a lot of factors (if it's a beach start so you have to get back out of the water, you have to factor in how cold that will make you, for one). I've seen people get in, in a very cold lake, and then the start is delayed and they really start to get chilled down. So I'd say it depends on air temp, water temp, length of race, how long it takes you to warm up, and a lot of other factors.
I think it's all very personal, what works for you might not work for me.
I usually try and do arm circle's and a swim warm up ( around 300 mtrs or so).
It all depends on the circumstances too, as mentioned by others..
On the bike seems to take about 30 minutes; run about 15-20. The swim, which is the main question, takes...well, heck if I know. I've never really warmed up for a swim.
Ever.
I'll loosen up the shoulders a bit with some arm rotations and push-pulls and that's about it. I look at the swim as my warm-up for the other events so don't really sweat it much.
The other factor is that the water temp is typically pretty dang cold so I don't like to hang around, splashing in the water...then freeze waiting for the start. The way I figure it, no sense freezing myself twice. Once in the race is enough!
I guess it depends upon the race (Sprint/Olympic?)
[QUOTE=Phread;65822]Was wondering how long a swim would be good for warming up pre-race, and how long the warmup whould be.
Thanks in advance -[/QUOTE]
I usually don't warm up for Sprint besides streching and so forth but I get into the water to get use to the water temp.
-Mat
Length of race -
It is an Olympic distance race - St. Anthony's in St Ptersburg, FLA.
I think it's a very individual thing, and depends on how long it takes you to warm up personally. For me, I have to swim a long ways before I feel really warmed up, so for a shorter race I might do a 5 - 10 minute warmup. For a longer race, like HIM to IM, I figure the swim *is* the warmup;) and I may or may not get in ahead of time depending on a lot of factors (if it's a beach start so you have to get back out of the water, you have to factor in how cold that will make you, for one). I've seen people get in, in a very cold lake, and then the start is delayed and they really start to get chilled down. So I'd say it depends on air temp, water temp, length of race, how long it takes you to warm up, and a lot of other factors.
I think it's all very personal, what works for you might not work for me.
I usually try and do arm circle's and a swim warm up ( around 300 mtrs or so).
It all depends on the circumstances too, as mentioned by others..
Noel.
+1 for depends on your body.
On my bike, my legs really get going around 60 miles into a ride. In the pool, it's about 2000 yds in. I pretty much suck at running.
On the bike seems to take about 30 minutes; run about 15-20. The swim, which is the main question, takes...well, heck if I know. I've never really warmed up for a swim.
Ever.
I'll loosen up the shoulders a bit with some arm rotations and push-pulls and that's about it. I look at the swim as my warm-up for the other events so don't really sweat it much.
The other factor is that the water temp is typically pretty dang cold so I don't like to hang around, splashing in the water...then freeze waiting for the start. The way I figure it, no sense freezing myself twice. Once in the race is enough!
hak