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Swimmers and/or Triathletes...
Posted on 8/1/21 at 12:11 pm
Posted on 8/1/21 at 12:11 pm
I want to complete a super sprint Tri in Sept (200 yard swim) and started swimming about 3-4 weeks ago, 2x per week. I'm have a coach to help 30 min/week.
I can just now swim (freestyle) 50m without a break and my heart rate is in the 170s-180s by the end.
How long will it take before I can swim more comfortably and just keep going lap after lap like some people at the pool? I'm not worried at all about speed; I just want to swim for fitness.
When I run or bike, I can breathe as much as I want, but swimming that's limited to each stroke. What I find is when my heart rate, or desire for more air, increases, I start to "panic" and actually work harder to reach the end thus increasing my HR and need for air more. Any tips to settle that down?
I have a new, mad respect for swimmers.
ETA: If it helps to know, I am coming from a gym/weight background with intermittent cardio for years; 45yo, 6'2" 215.
I can just now swim (freestyle) 50m without a break and my heart rate is in the 170s-180s by the end.
How long will it take before I can swim more comfortably and just keep going lap after lap like some people at the pool? I'm not worried at all about speed; I just want to swim for fitness.
When I run or bike, I can breathe as much as I want, but swimming that's limited to each stroke. What I find is when my heart rate, or desire for more air, increases, I start to "panic" and actually work harder to reach the end thus increasing my HR and need for air more. Any tips to settle that down?
I have a new, mad respect for swimmers.
ETA: If it helps to know, I am coming from a gym/weight background with intermittent cardio for years; 45yo, 6'2" 215.
This post was edited on 8/1/21 at 12:13 pm
9
Posted on 8/1/21 at 1:41 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
I started on a swim team when I was 5 and swam all through school and then Masters for a while.
SO, I can’t help other than to say enjoy the Tri experience. They are really fun.
Swimming is very underemphasized in sprints and super sprints so just making it through the swimming is all you need to do.
SO, I can’t help other than to say enjoy the Tri experience. They are really fun.
Swimming is very underemphasized in sprints and super sprints so just making it through the swimming is all you need to do.
Posted on 8/1/21 at 2:04 pm to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
Swimming is very underemphasized in sprints and super sprints
Thanks. I'm enjoying it so far. I guess it's like learning a new language when you no longer have a linguistic sponge for a brain as a young child.
Posted on 8/1/21 at 2:21 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
Being in Florida you can find 8-10 months of racing too.
And a lot of flat races. Haha!
If you decide you want to travel, there is a great sprint Tri at Lake Lanier (just outside Atlanta).
And a lot of flat races. Haha!
If you decide you want to travel, there is a great sprint Tri at Lake Lanier (just outside Atlanta).
Posted on 8/1/21 at 2:53 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
So much of swimming is technique that it takes a long time to become proficient. But you've only been swimming 3-4 weeks and had only about 8 swim workouts so just keep at it and you'll get better. Learning to relax in the water is a big thing so I would try to swim very slow and allow your body to float/glide between strokes. Maybe do this when you are warming up. Learning to breathe without picking your head up but instead just turning slightly to the side is something to work on to. Good luck.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 8:25 am to Tiger in Gatorland
Is the race in open water or the pool?
Posted on 8/2/21 at 9:04 am to EyeOfTheFeTiger
It is open water. I’m training in a pool but will do some open water practice once I have better stamina.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 9:17 am to Tiger in Gatorland
I thought myself to swim from youtube videos. Finished an ironman swim slightly above average for my age group, which is likely the fastest age group (male 30-35). I'm not saying I was a good swimmer.....far from it, but I was very comfortable in the water.
Body rotation and core strength are vital to swimming. Learn the rhythm of rotating your shoulders and head to take a breath, then feel comfortable breathing out as soon as you put your head back in the water. Time it so that you are blowing that last bit of air out as you rotate your head out of the water again. Core strength helps with that and also keeping your feet up. Learn to swim slow and keep your body flat. That was the key to me really building endurance. First time I swam a mile, I wasn't all that tired, but it was uncomfortable to hold that position for so long. Once I got used to that, then I could really start to push the pace and learn my endurance limits.
Body rotation and core strength are vital to swimming. Learn the rhythm of rotating your shoulders and head to take a breath, then feel comfortable breathing out as soon as you put your head back in the water. Time it so that you are blowing that last bit of air out as you rotate your head out of the water again. Core strength helps with that and also keeping your feet up. Learn to swim slow and keep your body flat. That was the key to me really building endurance. First time I swam a mile, I wasn't all that tired, but it was uncomfortable to hold that position for so long. Once I got used to that, then I could really start to push the pace and learn my endurance limits.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 9:21 am to Tiger in Gatorland
Yea, that would be a good idea. The first time swimming in open water can be daunting. I’d also recommend that you position yourself appropriately at the beginning of the race. Starting off the in middle of the pack can make even an experience swimmer freak out in the water. With this being your first race, I’d start in the back and to the outside to avoid running in to a bunch of people.
I’d also practice sighting in the pool when you get closer to the race and have built up a little more stamina. You’d be surprised how far off line you can get in the open water when you are used to the stripe at the bottom of the pool.
I’d also practice sighting in the pool when you get closer to the race and have built up a little more stamina. You’d be surprised how far off line you can get in the open water when you are used to the stripe at the bottom of the pool.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 10:11 am to Tiger in Gatorland
Add a 3rd day to your week, if possible. Muscle atrophy begins at the 3rd day, so hit them more often. Distance ramps up quickly, after you develop your base. We all start at different points, but don't be surprised if you are at 1000+ meters after 3 months.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 4:04 pm to Jon A thon
quote:
I thought myself to swim from youtube videos
Yes, I've watched a number of Youtube videos that seem helpful. Others at the pool are also helpful if you chat with them and tell them you're new. It's a lot of little pieces to remember for sure. Thanks for the feedback.
Posted on 8/2/21 at 8:04 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
From someone that swam competitively for 10 years and was a coach for 6 I would say the main reason people get tired is because they try to go fast. Focus on the feeling of pulling yourself go through the way. Work on your balance floating off the wall first, then you kick, then your pull. Keep it slow to allow yourself to feel the water you are pulling but also focus on your balance. Most importantly keep your head down, look at the line on the bottom of the pool to keep yourself straight. If you think you’re going to run into the wall, stop when you see the “T”
Posted on 8/2/21 at 10:35 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
quote:
my heart rate is in the 170s-180s by the end.
Your breathing is way off of your heart rate is that high, plus you're likely trying to swim too fast. Both of those will work hard against you if you're just learning.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:46 am to Tiger in Gatorland
Swimming will wear you out fast.
You sure do need to work on technique.
But, IMO, for working on a triathlon, you need to decide how much energy to exert during the swim.
Time wise, the swim makes up the smallest portion of the overall triathlon.
Saving a minute on the swim could cost more on the run at the end.
You sure do need to work on technique.
But, IMO, for working on a triathlon, you need to decide how much energy to exert during the swim.
Time wise, the swim makes up the smallest portion of the overall triathlon.
Saving a minute on the swim could cost more on the run at the end.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 8:18 am to East Coast Band
How do you train for swimming? Do I need access to a pool or should I just hit open water (which seems scary)?
Posted on 8/3/21 at 10:24 am to Ssubba
quote:
Do I need access to a pool or should I just hit open water (which seems scary)?
99% of my swimming was in the pool. Lot's of interval training, which you really need the lap structure for. Some people have a "fear" of open water in general, so it may take a few open water swims to get comfortable there. I never had a huge issue with that.
The biggest hurdle with open water wasn't so much the open water itself. It was dealing with other swimmers. If you are uncomfortable, start at the back to the outside. I remember my first swim. I was a middle of the pack swimmer, so I started in the middle. Well tons of idiots go off super hard passing me up at the beginning of the swim, pulling me under, wasting my energy. Then I end up passing them up after the half way point which takes additional energy. Starting from the back towards the outside, I just had to deal with passing up people which is easier than getting passed.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 12:53 pm to Jon A thon
Some good advice in this post. I’d also say to the OP, especially for a 200m swim, don’t be afraid to flip over on your back and just kick for a bit if you get stressed out in the water on race day.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 5:25 pm to EyeOfTheFeTiger
quote:
don’t be afraid to flip over on your back and just kick for a bit if you get stressed out in the water on race day.
Yea I had a friend tell me that as well and I was like, "you can do that?" lol. That may be the saving grace for a 30 second break or so. Thanks - good feedback in here.
Posted on 8/3/21 at 6:31 pm to Tiger in Gatorland
quote:
you can do that?
hell, you can hang on to one of the volunteers in a canoe as long as you don't advance yourself.
Posted on 8/4/21 at 6:45 am to Tiger in Gatorland
Concentrate on long strokes that are finishing at the hip. If your heart rate is that elevated after a 50 swim 25 but limit your rest.
Try to swim a set of 10 25s, where you leave every 40 seconds. You would leave at 60 on your first 25, 40, on your second, 20 on your third, and so in. If that pace is too fast do 45 or 50. Find the time interval that is right for you then work to decrease it.
Once you are comfortable with that set start doing 50s on an interval then 75s.
Nothing is better for upping endurance than time interval training.
Try to swim a set of 10 25s, where you leave every 40 seconds. You would leave at 60 on your first 25, 40, on your second, 20 on your third, and so in. If that pace is too fast do 45 or 50. Find the time interval that is right for you then work to decrease it.
Once you are comfortable with that set start doing 50s on an interval then 75s.
Nothing is better for upping endurance than time interval training.
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