Transferability of swim times
dangermouse
Posts: 28
in General Chat
OK, I'm completely new to Tri but have entered the blenheim and london events and I've a question on the swimming stage I was hoping you could all give me your advice on.
I've never swum in a wetsuit in my life but have spent far too long in swim suit in the pool and as a result the swim stage is my strongest stage and where I aim to make the most progress through the pack.
Can anyone give me a good idea how alike pool swim times are to those in an open water tri race environment?
I understand it's considered slightly quicker to swim in a wetsuit but surely this is negated by an effective tumble turn in the pool? Not to mention the scramble at the mass start having a negative impact on a similar time.
As an example, my pool times are 08:58 for 750m and 19:11 for 1500m. Can I hope to get anywhere near this in the water? Please say yes!!
I am aware of course that I won't be putting in anywhere near the effort I would racing in the pool, 'cos I'll have to pace for the rest of the tri but I think you see my question.
Thanks!
I've never swum in a wetsuit in my life but have spent far too long in swim suit in the pool and as a result the swim stage is my strongest stage and where I aim to make the most progress through the pack.
Can anyone give me a good idea how alike pool swim times are to those in an open water tri race environment?
I understand it's considered slightly quicker to swim in a wetsuit but surely this is negated by an effective tumble turn in the pool? Not to mention the scramble at the mass start having a negative impact on a similar time.
As an example, my pool times are 08:58 for 750m and 19:11 for 1500m. Can I hope to get anywhere near this in the water? Please say yes!!
I am aware of course that I won't be putting in anywhere near the effort I would racing in the pool, 'cos I'll have to pace for the rest of the tri but I think you see my question.
Thanks!
0
Comments
But what I was hoping for is has anyone got split times for a pool training session AND for a tri race swim leg to see the comparison?
This would be a big help thanks in advance.
My experience is similar to MG - I'm about 1.5 - 2mins faster in an open water wetsuit swim than I am in the pool (and I push as hard as I can after every turn!). The mass start actually helps you go faster because it means that everyone gets the benefits of drafting to a greater or lesser degree. Your times would put you way ahead of me, but you should still be able to find suitable people to draft against.
Mike
p.s. whatever else, practice in open water before the race. It takes one or two goes before it feels natural and you really don't want your first open water swim to be in a race.
Secondly thanks for your responses, just what I was looking for, thanks!
Thanks for the compliment MG, but if your expecting me to be out front I can't see that happening! Bear in mind that these pool times are swim race times and I'm getting out of the pool afterwards hardly in any condition to walk to the transition area let alone run to it and get on a bike afterwards.
Also if I get a head-start on the swim, you can safely expect to fly past me on the subsequent bike and run sections!!
Anyway, thanks for the advice chaps.