Swimming Half Ironman: What is the Game plan
Is there any strategies for new swimmers, trying to accomplish a HIM who stinks in swimming. I just have to stop every 300 plus yards cause of waves, salt water, fish, tired arms , just don't relax well in open water. I have the worst swim times and usually at the bottem of the pack in age group. But make up time in bike and run. So I worry that I want get out of the water on time.
So what would your game plan be for a terrible swimmer for HIM, whom wants to compete. I have done 1600 meter in 30 min, but average was 24. So need some pacing guidlines: Still learning swimstroke. Will be wetsuite legal at Beach to Battleship?
Im learning the EVF swim technique and this seems to help, makes me go faster, but can't hold that speed for too long, so I keep trying to slow down and maintain form. It takes me about 1000 yards just to relax. I loose focus on the swim, cause I think Im trying to survive at this swimming part.
Help the flunky in swimming!
Comments
Not sure what the "EVF" swim technique is. I found the only thing to help with OWS is more OWS. Swimming in the Ocean is another game entirely. My OWS are in Lake Michigan but in some fairly protected areas...
Otherwise, swim with some trusted friends that are already comfortable with OWS and will continue to encourage you. Of course that could just be a girl thing (support and encouragement) testosterone may get in your way. :-)
But seriously. Friend did IMWI with poor swim technique- as in just made swim cutoff. Took lessons and did more OWS practice. Most recently went out with friends that were super supportive. She found that swim easy. Next race was HIM and she was under 45'. That is HUGE!
best of luck.
1) good swim assessment. I learned I don't suck at swimming nearly as much as I thought I did. I just needed to put in the time.
2) good master's team. Drills take a long time to sink in. And swimming with others and having someone making stroke corrections is huge. p.s. The biggest thing wrong with my stroke is something it took weeks of practice for the coach to spot. Weeks. Having eyes on me was huge.
3) paying your open water swim dues. Last season, I learned to make peace with the open water. I had a pleasant IMWI swim. .. . until the kayak escort showed up. This year, I've been in the water at least once/week - most weeks twice, since it was warm enough to swim. I've swam in rough water, calm water, dirty water, crowded water. Water is different every day. And that's cool. I've learned it leads, I follow. The more time I spend in the water, the more relaxed I am -- and I can get there more quickly. I've also learned how to sight and realized I don't have to get the full picture of what is going on around me -- just little pieces. And be okay with that.
4) I've been paying attention to my heart rate for pacing. I've been working on figuring out the right aerobic beat and paying attention to making sure I stay there. Remember, even if you are focusing on your stroke, you are still racing. Focus, but don't lollygag.
5) I swam my most recent HIM in 44' and probably have a few minutes to shave off just by swimming a little smarter. The one before that was 52'. I'm aiming for a solid MOP swim time for IMWI next year and think a winter of hard work will get me there easily.
Hm. If it is taking you that long to relax, you might want to check out Swimsmooth's section on breathing. Solid advice. I also think we people who are moving up the swimming pack absolutely, positively need to get in the water before the race and warm up. If you need to get in your 1000 meters to relax, do it before the race.
@ Jeff, not a short course, high tide coming in, so current helps in a channel swim off of Wrigthsville Beach, NC . So swim is in a Big open channel .So waves, except from wind.
@ everyone: What is a game plan for a swim in open water? For example, I know what my pacing should be for running and biking, Does anyone take a break during the swim, like a run/walk method. My open water is in a channel, so its not in the ocean, its on the sound side.