How do you tell if the person about to share your lane is a swimmer or a triathlete without ever watching them swim a stroke? Well, here is a quick and easy guide (feel free to add as appropriate).
1) The triathlete shows up with a metric shitload of electronics, a bottle of sports drink, a snorkel, a swim mask, paddles, pullbouy. The swimmer has a pair of goggles and maybe a set of paddles. They will grab whatever they need from the box / rack of kickboards and buoys whenever it is time for it.
2) the triathlete jumps straight into the lane and starts swimming. The swimmer looks at the clock, swings arms, dips toe in water (is thinking "how cold is the water. Yep, it's cold") swings arms more. dips goggles and adjusts. removes goggles. dips and adjusts again. about 10 minutes after getting on deck, the swimmer finally dives in to do the last 200 of the planned 800 warmup.
3) starting a set, the triathlete pushes off the wall looking at the far end. the swimmer pushes on their side so they can look at the pace clock.
4) the triathlete starts their wristwatch and goes at some random time. The swimmer just says "red top" or "blue top" and waits...for the next one after the one coming up.
5) the triathlete is usually far better looking (we'll give you that).
6) the swimmer can have a meaningful conversation in 15 second increments over the course of the set.
Swimming Workout of the Day:
Favourite Swim Sets:
2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly
1) The triathlete shows up with a metric shitload of electronics, a bottle of sports drink, a snorkel, a swim mask, paddles, pullbouy. The swimmer has a pair of goggles and maybe a set of paddles. They will grab whatever they need from the box / rack of kickboards and buoys whenever it is time for it.
2) the triathlete jumps straight into the lane and starts swimming. The swimmer looks at the clock, swings arms, dips toe in water (is thinking "how cold is the water. Yep, it's cold") swings arms more. dips goggles and adjusts. removes goggles. dips and adjusts again. about 10 minutes after getting on deck, the swimmer finally dives in to do the last 200 of the planned 800 warmup.
3) starting a set, the triathlete pushes off the wall looking at the far end. the swimmer pushes on their side so they can look at the pace clock.
4) the triathlete starts their wristwatch and goes at some random time. The swimmer just says "red top" or "blue top" and waits...for the next one after the one coming up.
5) the triathlete is usually far better looking (we'll give you that).
6) the swimmer can have a meaningful conversation in 15 second increments over the course of the set.
Swimming Workout of the Day:
Favourite Swim Sets:
2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly