Home› Racing Forum 🏎

IMCDA swim positioning Question

jhbinscjhbinsc
in Racing Forum 🏎

I had to work so I just listened to the IMCDA webinar talk from coach R and have a major issue/question about his swim position placement/seeding. R suggested middle of swim seeding self a hair faster than actual ability. Well I did that in 2007 in CDA and in 200M I wanted the HELL out of the water badly! Can you say ass beating???

At IMF and IMMoo I seeded right near front on buoy line and at cannon, I went diagonal 25-50M away from goup inside buoy line and stayed on periphery drafting feet and staying calm and  smooth but having an escape if some A holes tried to drown me and only came into the fracas to round buoys then back to inside until it strung out sufficiently.

This resulted in me keeping my form, staying calm, conserving energy and having two of my best swim finish times. Sub 65 vs high 60's when having MMA match in some other IM's.

I understand there is a wall or something (can't remember exactly) that keeps everyone in a small area but can you give me a good reason why my plan wouldn't be preferable in my situation for my needs? I don't mind being front left and fighting to get far enough inside buoy line to remain calm and conserve energy but can't bear thought of fighting masses entire first loop. Ugh.

At 63-65 minute IM swimmer, I can't get away from bulk of swimmers and I'm not a fast starter so don't suggest going out hard to get away from pack. Tried it, can't make it work!

Thoughts? Mostly curious what R thinks given his  talk Monday but welcome other's opinions/suggestions.

Comments

  • kurshingkurshing
    Line up 1 or 2 people back right behind the post that is about 1/4 to 1/3 right of the buoy line. People tend to avoid it as if they are going to swim into it...even though it is well out into the water and I don't ever remember seeing it after the start. It was great there last year...I expected to swim about 1:05-1:10 and that worked great for me.

    (That is what Al told me to do.)
  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    Good stuff! Thx! It has been 5 years and I don't recall the shoreline exactly anymore.

  • J.T. ThompsonJ.T. Thompson
    yes - I was in roughly the same spot - in fact talked to Al right before the start.... Will add that even there it was a little rough at the start last year, but you could find spots of open water after a few hundred meters. But I'd just mentally be prepared to be with lots of people for the majority of the swim....it's just a small beach for that many people.... Have fun...
  • Spokane_AlSpokane_Al
    I also prefer to swim on the inside, with the ability to go farther inside if the situation warrants it. When I did IM CDA a few years back, there was clean water most of the way, and I could pick the feet I wanted to follow. I have friends who follow this method year after year. But full disclosure - my swim ability is much less than yours.
  • jhbinscjhbinsc

     Thx Al and JT

  • Jump4Joy19Jump4Joy19

    I'm tracking this thread with interest, I'm in the same boat (not sure going out super-hard is going to work for me, trying to figure out where I want to be standing when the cannon goes off). I wish I'd gone down and looked at the beach while I was there in CdA a couple of weeks ago.

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    With your ability Robin, it is hard to imagine you having much trouble!!

  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Ah, I forgot that "pole" guidance from Al. Nice catch!

  • Jump4Joy19Jump4Joy19
    Posted By Jeff Brandenburg on 22 May 2012 03:26 PM

    With your ability Robin, it is hard to imagine you having much trouble!!



    Maybe... except for a few things.

    1) My M.O. for forever has been to start slow and pick up speed. Not a good strategy when there are 2500 people behind you whose approach is to go out way faster than they will be able to sustain for 2.4 miles.

    2) I have been spoiled by years of swimming in women's only waves or AG waves. Seriously, can count on one hand the times I've ever had to duke it out in a crowded swim start with aggressive swimmers. Most of the time in a women's wave start, I have completely clear water, or at most one or two other women that are around me.

    3) In the last three years I've broken my left arm (at the elbow) twice and my left hand once, the elbow joint is still pretty fragile. I'm frankly a little nervous about bashing that arm into anything, let alone into other swimmers repeatedly for an hour.

    4) In my last IM swim start, another swimmer completely dislocated my right big toe, leaving me to swim with it sticking at about a 70 degree angle to the rest of my foot, and vulnerable to excruciating pain any time yet another swimmer bumped it.

    5) And, oh yeah, the nice guy I spent the last IM swim start with on the beach chatting about our kids died in the swim.

     

    Taken in combination, I am downright petrified of the IM swim start, especially one as notoriously crowded as CdA!!! I am hoping that the magic pole position will save me...

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    Yikes! I feel my anxiety level rising...

  • Paul ScholzPaul Scholz

    @ Robin, that is a lot of built up anxiety

    you have a lot of reasons to be concerned

    I am remembering an EN teammate that was in NOS with Jeff and I, trained to get her next level black belt, and I believe was coaching swimming at the same time on the side

    If I recall correctly that team member also has a couple of kids, and a spouse.

    It seems that anyone who can do all those things, and still train to do an IM has a lot of focus and likely is doing this for herself.

    I would recommend that  you find you one thing that can help you stay in your box during the swim. You have the tenacity and focus to do that.

    I look forward to meeting you in CDA. You are not allowed to evaluate my kick timing, as I will be in my box and MY box will be what it will be on race day.

  • Jump4Joy19Jump4Joy19

    @Jeff, sorry! Did not mean to add to the general anxiety level.

    @Paul, you are the EN ZenMaster for sure! This grasshopper is most grateful. You are right, I have to find my One Thing, way before the run, I'll need it for the swim. And the only kick timing visible on race day will be a thrashing multitude of feet, so no worries.

     

    Really looking forward to meeting y'all!

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    cda 2009 was my first ironman.     I lined up way to the right.     swam somewhat longer distance.    and still got 66 minutes.      had lots of clear water.

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    Robin, pls don't worry. I raced there before, I'll survive! Just need to make sure my box isn't in the MMA arena!

  • jhbinscjhbinsc

    @Sarner Clear water is not to be under rated!

Sign In or Register to comment.