First open water swim race - top tips req'd !
jamewah
Posts: 113
in General Chat
ok guys, It's the big one for me my first open water race with a mass start going in waves of aprox 50 people .
I'm confident in the open water but never had to face the melee of bodies during the race, I need some top tips to get me through it relatively unscathed so I can make to T1 safely.
Thanking you in advance
I'm confident in the open water but never had to face the melee of bodies during the race, I need some top tips to get me through it relatively unscathed so I can make to T1 safely.
Thanking you in advance
0
Comments
If you are at all nervous then start out to the side, as you progress you may surprise yourself as to how well you are doing and become more confident.
Forget about everyone else, as you say it is a means to get to T1, sighting will be a problem so it is important that you know the layout of the buoys.
Concentrate on your stroke, a more efficient stroke is faster than rapid arm movements and splashing. You may find yourself getting a bit short of breathe just decrease the number of strokes between breathing, there is no point getting into oxygen debt right at the start.
Those are my thoughts and I am a crap swimmer. Don't worry you will be OK.
Good luck
which race are you doing?
Just go out there and smash the crap out of it.............
The race I'm doing has been organised by the local triathlon club in the area, I know one of the members so he managed to talk them round into letting me enter, looking on thier website it looks like it's going to be one of their biggest end of season races so I gues I won't be the only ringer !
oh, one more question, what lube is recommended to put around your wrists and ankles ? I know there are specific lubes out there made for the job but are there any cheap alternatives in the household that won't wreck my suit such as beef dripping or lard ? only joking, Tim Don reckons baby oil ?
cheers
First time I did a OW tri, the whistle went and I got a boot in the face! - my tip would be to get in a flat position ready to start swimming as the guy calls you to order eg legs floating behind you, not underneath you - it means you don't waste time getting into a swimming postion and therefore wont' get flattened by someone behind.
Other tip would be to draft someone where possible. the odd peek to sight where necessary but the rest of the time I just follow someone else.
Good Luck
Alternatively, if you think you're quick enough, start at the very front and get clear of everyone!
Don't start in the middle whatever you do unless you are a 18 minute 1500m swimmer. Starting at the side you can see how close to people you are with no one or hardly anyone on your non breathing side that may come over the top of you.
Remember in open water there is no black line or lane rope to keep you perfectly straight and the same applies to other swimmers, you will swim at a slightly different angle to other swimmers from time to time therefore swimming into others or others swimming into you, but it is alway's best to have swimmers on your breathing side in view.
Agree with quite a few of the comments in a nutshell I would recommend:
- Goggles strap should be under your swim cap. That way they are secure if someone accidentally kicks/hits you.
- Get into the water as soon as you can. Get used to the cold water - put your head under the water a few times so that ALL your body is COMPLETELY submerged. You may find yourself breathless when entering your head into the water the first few times.
- Lay flat on your back/stomach to claim your space otherwise you may get a kick in the face when the whistle blows
- Make sure that you have access to the zipper leash so that you will be able to access it when you exit and want to remove your suit.
- Make sure you know where the turn around/cornering buoys are
- If you are a confident swimmer start farely strong and then find your pace. If you are less confident then stick to the side/back and go at an easy pace to build your confidence.
- Last but certainly not least - your time chip should be UNDER your wet suit not above it. Sounds obvious but in all the excitement there are always people who get it wrong.
Good luck!
My London photos comprise me in an every increasing state of panic trying to find the bloody thing.
don't need anything to lube ankles/wrists really, but make sure back of neck is comfortable or use bodyglide here. Saw a couple of bleeding gashes on the back of necks running out of IM, that's got to sting later.
definitely anti-fog your goggles
just before you stand up to get out of the water, pull the front of the neck open and let water flood into the chest. When you stand up it runs down your legs and your suit pulls off much easier (thanks to Mr Kiddle)
good luck
Ade
Check the course out when you get there if it is sunny and early morning then there is the chance one of the buoys may be under the sun (if it's yellow too it will be impossible to see) so try to find a tree or something behind it on shore that can be used to sight on.
Sorry for the late reply but just a quick thanks for the all the tips, they really helped.
I know your all waiting in anticipation for the result so here goes
Swim split for the 400m was 6:51 (11th overall)
Bike split was 34:26 for 14 miles (6th overall)
Run split for 4 miles was 28:20 (16th overall)
total 1:09:37 8th overall
was really pleased, and the swim set me off for a crackin good race
Full of confidence for the Humber sprint Tri this weekend, pool swim though
Boo !
cheers guys !