Scheherazade, beginners luck? :D In all seriousness, I think it's a few things:
Starting at zero meant meant big progress as I figured out the mechanics but it also meant I had no bad habits to correct/overcome. Marginal gains will be much harder to make.
I went from not swimming at all (as in literally could not get across the long course last December) to swimming at least three days a week, including a weekly lesson for two months and a regular ocean swim as part of a large group. Swimming often helped me get more comfortable in the water and less likely to freak out and flip over to backstroke in a race, swimming in a group helped me get used to being in the pack and being swum over, and swimming with much faster/better/experienced swimmers helped motivate and encourage me. The group I swim in the ocean with is an amazing community of swimmers and triathletes of all levels of athleticism -- from dead beginners to Olympic gold medalists -- that offered tips, encouragement, articles to read, etc...
When I got hurt this summer, swimming was the only thing I could do so I just focused all my training energy on it. I swam at least 2K consistently every other day and signed up for open ocean races. I needed something to focus on to keep me from losing my mind not being able to run or bike so I decided I would make myself a "rugged ocean swimmer."
It also helped that I came into swimming with some physical advantages -- a big aerobic base and good proprioception from an athletic background combined with my weirdly long arms.
And finally, having someone along for the ride made a big difference. When we signed up for our 70.3, my training partner didn't really swim either. It made a big difference to have someone else along for the ride / waking up early to embarrass themselves in the slow lane / supporting each other.
All that said, I still hate the pool and can't flip turn.
(Formerly SoCalTricurious, now in the PNW).
Starting at zero meant meant big progress as I figured out the mechanics but it also meant I had no bad habits to correct/overcome. Marginal gains will be much harder to make.
I went from not swimming at all (as in literally could not get across the long course last December) to swimming at least three days a week, including a weekly lesson for two months and a regular ocean swim as part of a large group. Swimming often helped me get more comfortable in the water and less likely to freak out and flip over to backstroke in a race, swimming in a group helped me get used to being in the pack and being swum over, and swimming with much faster/better/experienced swimmers helped motivate and encourage me. The group I swim in the ocean with is an amazing community of swimmers and triathletes of all levels of athleticism -- from dead beginners to Olympic gold medalists -- that offered tips, encouragement, articles to read, etc...
When I got hurt this summer, swimming was the only thing I could do so I just focused all my training energy on it. I swam at least 2K consistently every other day and signed up for open ocean races. I needed something to focus on to keep me from losing my mind not being able to run or bike so I decided I would make myself a "rugged ocean swimmer."
It also helped that I came into swimming with some physical advantages -- a big aerobic base and good proprioception from an athletic background combined with my weirdly long arms.
And finally, having someone along for the ride made a big difference. When we signed up for our 70.3, my training partner didn't really swim either. It made a big difference to have someone else along for the ride / waking up early to embarrass themselves in the slow lane / supporting each other.
All that said, I still hate the pool and can't flip turn.
(Formerly SoCalTricurious, now in the PNW).
Last edited by:
SoCalTricurious: Dec 5, 16 16:06