Swim Issues....
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kylie posted 48 weeks ago.
I find that most of my swim training is shorter intervals than what the actual race will be. I rarely do straight set swims in the pool. I find the rhythm I get into in open water is a bit different since there are no walls to push off which breaks it up a bit. However, to build to where I think I can do the race distance at one time it's just like on the bike and run: make it a bit farther each time, and slow down a bit to go a bit further. Just focus on your technique and regular, relaxed breathing.
With that water temp you'll be fine once you are moving.
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Tamara posted 48 weeks ago.
Are you doing straight swims now, or is that 1500m broken up by drills? I rarely do straight swims anymore, but instead tons of drilling. But occasionally my coach throws in sets. For example, on Friday in addition to 500m of drilling, I did 40minutes of 300m sets with 15sec rest in between. That wasn't one steady swim, but the sets were long enough to need to pace myself. Tomorrow after a long warmup I have two steady 15min swims.
Point being, you'll rarely just get in the pool and swim the entire race distance. But you can put in longer chunks of swimming that will help simulate getting into a rhythm required during race day.
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
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flaniganrj posted 48 weeks ago.
Every couple of weeks do a time trial swim of a longer distance to build confidence and eventually do the full distance.
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TriOnLife posted 48 weeks ago.
theShiba;78180 wrote:
So I have a few questions...How can I start to transition my interval workouts into longer more sustained swims?
Thanks for the help guys....
Don't stop. Seriously. If you usually swim 200s then when you get to the end of a 200 flip and make yourself go another 100. When 300s feel okay go for 500s. But like others have said, you don't need to do that very often. Once you can do a 500 you can do a 1500 without stopping. It's largely mental. If you are getting winded then slow down. It may be that you are using a sprint pace all the time and you need to learn to slow down for endurance.
Water in the high 60s is tolerable without a wetsuit. Swimming in open water is just easier with one. It's like wearing a full body waterwing.
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theShiba posted 48 weeks ago.
Thanks for the advice guys. Sounds like I am pretty much on the right track and I am just getting unnecessarily nervous. I usually do 100-200m intervals. My plan is to stay with that interval for the most part, but build up to be able to do at least 500 in the next two weeks.
I'll let you all know how it goes over the next few days....
Thanks again!
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Nutty posted 48 weeks ago.
Yeah like everyone has said, just slow it down a bit during the race and youll be fine. If you can do 1500 in a workout, you can do 1500 at once.
If the water is lower 60s GET A WETSUIT. 58 degree water was one of the worst mistakes i think ive ever made. But hey, at least you dont need coffee for about a week after that. Upper 60's i cant imagine being that bad though. Was 73 or so for my last race, and that was pretty nice actually.
-Alan
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theShiba posted 48 weeks ago.
Nutty;78259 wrote:
Yeah like everyone has said, just slow it down a bit during the race and youll be fine. If you can do 1500 in a workout, you can do 1500 at once.If the water is lower 60s GET A WETSUIT. 58 degree water was one of the worst mistakes i think ive ever made. But hey, at least you dont need coffee for about a week after that. Upper 60's i cant imagine being that bad though. Was 73 or so for my last race, and that was pretty nice actually.
-Alan
The race report says mid 60's... I don't know. It's Long Beach (Pacific Ocean). I don't think I ever recall a time in my life (i've been here in California since birth) when I didn't think the water was freezing. I think that I am going to try to get a suit to give me a little more flotation, and to keep me from having the shock of being in freezing water.
Anyone have opinions on suits? I was thinking of going sleeveless since water here doesn't really get below 60 ever, and it seems like it would be easier to swim with....
Input appreciated.
Thanks again for all the swim tips... I assure you that I am definitely putting them to good use.
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TriOnLife posted 48 weeks ago.
theShiba;78273 wrote:
Anyone have opinions on suits? I was thinking of going sleeveless since water here doesn't really get below 60 ever, and it seems like it would be easier to swim with....
Unless you do an Alcatraz swim. The bay is usually mid 50s - pretty chilly!
That having been said, a lot of people prefer a sleeveless suit for the freedom of movement. There is also a company that makes a 2 piece where you have a farmer john sort of deal with an optional long sleeve top. Can't think of who it is now. That would be another option.
- A 21st Century Mom who is tri-ing to get better instead of just getting older
www.breakingthetape.com/21stcenturymom
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ScottHughes posted 48 weeks ago.
I usually just train in short intervals, especially since I don't like counting large numbers of laps.
You can try doing a pyramid. Where you swim 1 lap, than 2, than 3, than 4, etc. Then you come back down.
So I have a few questions...
How can I start to transition my interval workouts into longer more sustained swims? I typically to about 1000-1500 meters in a workout, but have a hard time doing anything close to what I would like to be doing in one stretch. Any hints to elongating this sustained swim distance?
Second, am I going to just drop like a fly without a wetsuit in <70ºF water? I am doing a tri where the projected water temperature is around 67-69deg...
Thanks for the help guys....