Drink whilst you swim......
JonathanFerguson
Posts: 53
in General Chat
So, i was swimming this weekend as the weather was so bad, and it occured to me that staying hydrated whilst you swim is pretty important. In ironman races you spend the first 30 mins of the bike trying to catch up on your hydration from the swim. SO heres my thought, why not hydrate whilst swimming?? Has anyone seen this been done anywhere? I was thinking a tube in your wesuit that may come up through your arm and so you can suck on it as your arm goes past your head (or maybe from the colar so you just bend your neck)!? It seems to me in ironman races nutrition is so vital, that any advantage you get from getting nutrients when you swim must be a good thing.... THoughts???
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Comments
I always wondered what Ironman people do for refuelling during the swim... That's a good question.
but while you swim your bound to get some water in your mouth....and in my opinion if you try and drink while you swim your going to break your swimming rythem a little, which may cost you.
But, seriously, do Iron-people drink while swimming? I'm figuring it would take me a good 1hr 30min to swim 3900 metres, and I figure that's a long time to go without refuelling. What are the IM approaches to the swim leg?
That length of time in pool makes me feel sick with the taste of the water,
I suppose an advanced swimmer who, operating at 100% may well indeed lose fluids, it would be good to hear from guys and gals who are in the leading groups regarding this.
Anyway, I think that something like a camelback would be possible, however I'm not sure about the practicalities, I spend most of the time trying to breath when swimming, in every 3rd stroke and out in between. I dont see that trying to take a swig of anything would be possible, if I tried it would probably ruin the rhythm. As long as you're well hydrated before the swim, and take on fluids in transition and on the bike, I dont think you would have a proble.
The comment about channel swimmers is correct, they generally stop, hang onto the support boat and take in both liquids and solids.