What follows is an attempt to help each triathlete for the preparation, strategy, and "game-plan" of racing a "Pool-sprint" style race. We approach this in a format to answer real questions that we have been asked about these types of races.

The most common question I hear in the triathlete world about the mysteries of swimming efficiently usually involves something with breathing. In freestyle, it is the first step to get your body position right. Then, for many, you throw in breathing and everything goes haywire! This has to do with lack of balance, using your head instead of your core to breath, and a few other factors.

You may have been training for weeks or months already, but now it is 2 weeks before your race and it's time to think about resting. Many triathletes find this more difficult than swimming 5,000 yards, biking the hills, or running a half marathon! Here are some things to keep in mind if you are beginning your taper or rest period before your race.

The start of a triathlon can be nerve-wracking, tiring, intimidating, frustrating, and even discouraging (why do we do this sport??). But don't let all this get to you!

Triathlon swimming is different from competitive swimming - pool swimming. Although the goals are the same - complete the distance as fast as possible, in triathlon there is a second goal: be as efficient as you can in order save energy for the bike and run. Swimming technique is therefore modified.

You may decide that after reading several swimming books, practicing drills and workouts in the pool on your own, joining a masters swim team, and even ordering The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming online, that you need a little outside help to get your swim where it needs to be for a tri. You're normal!

Recently, I have taken up golf, and I can't help but notice the similarities between learning golf and learning swimming. Both are finesse sports that require large amounts of concentration and practice to get right, and it is unnecessary (and ill-advised) to gain great amounts of strength to make major improvements in either sport. Let's look at some specific ways golf is like swimming:

Athletes often ask me when they should begin doing fewer drills and more swimming. I feel there is a swim pace that is the line between swimming for technique and swimming for speed and fitness. My intuition and experience tells me that this pace is about 17:00-17:30 per 1000 yards, or about 1:40 per 100 yard pace.

Have you taken a break from swimming? Do you feel out of shape and feel the need to get back in shape quickly? Here are some tips to help you get back to feeling the best you can in the water: 1. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start out with long, slow swims. If you can't do long swims, start with short, slow swims and little by little build up your endurance.

Well it is that time of the season where you have either completed a couple of races or you are getting ready for the first open water swim. Now it is time to leave the comforts of that nice , clear, warm community swimming pool. I have compiled a list of a few tips that might make that experience a little less stressful.