I know ST says you can not win on the Swim, but

Triathlon Forum
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Even though I know some will have fun with this thread, if I can help one person consider doing what I did last year finally getting
off my butt with swimming, it will be worth the post.

Around this time last year I sat back and started to think about the next season. I knew I was going to be 50 and would be at the
bottom of my AG again. Swimming was by far my weakest event in every race. I knew talking to older racers that the run will always
slow down and no amount of training will change that.

So, after reading for 10 years that the only way to improve in swimming was to join masters, I did it. Even though I thought masters
was only for real swimmers, I found it was very inclusive. (At least the group I joined) I think my best Oly swim was around 27.

So, I set some goals for 07. Improve my swimming. Try to make HM in the USAT ranking. And try to get into Nationals.

So, now that the season is basically done, and I have completed a full 12 months, 5 hours a week of swimming, here were my seasons
results.

Swimming is now my strongest event. I have swam in the 22’s. I did more than just go to nationals, I placed 12th and qualified
and went to worlds in germany. And, there is a chance I might make AA. I also qualified for worlds 08 in canada.

So, every person who has asked how I got so much better in one year, I tell them all the same comment. Make a total 1 year commitment
with swimming, and see what happens. (And by the way, my running is faster than I ever have ran, and for many months I was
doing no more than 6 miles a week in races because of an injury.)

So, would love to hear if anyone considers trying what worked for me, and let me know after a year, did it help your overall racing.

So, I have started to set my 08 goals. I will continue to do my 5 hours a week swimming since the results have been so positive for me.
My biking is now my weakest link. So, I am going to try and double my weekly mileage to hopefully 150 per week. Will see what happens
at nationals and worlds next year.

Dave

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You forgot to mention that swimming more got you 42nd place at Worlds.

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41st.

Dave

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Nice results, I’m going to start Masters swimming next month as I would like to improve my swim times. In my 30’s I swam 3-4 days per week in Masters program and like you my running was never better.

Good luck with your '08 goals.

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Paulo, forgot one more. I qualified for Boston after I began masters swimming.

So, I should put this in your coach thread, but, I think my coach proved some pretty good
results for the last year for me. What do you call that, evidence based or something.

And the best part is my coach was me!!

Dave

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Good luck.!!

I know my coaches told me last year, 1 to 2 days a week was a joke, 3 days a week was to stay even, and 5 days
a week were to improve. I still would like to swim a 20 next year so am going to continue my 5 days a week for the next year.

Glad to see someone else felt their running was stronger while swimming. I have no idea why, but it sure saves
the pounding on the body!!

Guess my first goal for 08 is I can still race at all.

Dave

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Good job! That’s amazing. I’m going to try to do something similar. This winter, all I’m going to concentrate on is swimming and running. I plan on doing each about 5 days a week and hopefully I’ll see a big improvement. This will be for only 4 months instead of a full year, but hopefully it’ll help.

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May not work for anyone else, but I have the data to show what I have done over the last few years, what changed,
and the results. Means nothing, but it is still data.

I know for me I plan to put running as my bottom priority. Would love to do 20 miles a week, but will see.

Going to put my power cranks on my tri bike after my next race in a week and also try a full off season of trying
to ride these darn things outside.

I did not see the real improvements in swimming until towards the end of this first year. So many things to learn
on technique when you start from zero, as I did. But, it now is so much fun to just see if I can hold my
technique correctly for a few minutes.

Best of look with your off season focus.

At least if folks want to improve, seems like this time of the year is when it makes sense to start putting plans and goals
together. And, then start working on them. I see very few racers do well when it is not a 12 month a year sport.
(At least for blue collar racers like me.)

Dave

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Dave, congrats on a great year. I know that I need to work on my swimming even more than you ever did. I’d kill to have your “before” swims of 27 minutes, I’m struggling with around 32s. That’s way too much time to give up in an oly to someone swimming decent times.

Next year is my by big push for swimming, we’ll see what happens. This year I’ll do what I can for the next few weeks and hope for the best in my last race in Oct but I’m not expecting any rabbits to be pulled out of the hat.

Anyway, since we’re in the same age group I use your times as beachmarks and I know I have a long way to go to be anywhere near the top of our age group. Again, great year…

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I know ST says you can not win on the Swim, but…
It helps to outbike and run them as well.

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I have lost a number of races on the swim, so I know there are at least a few people out there winning on the swim.

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Kudos to you for stepping back, making a plan, and effecting a change in the triathlete you are...even in your old age.  :)

I’m one of those who is in dire need of the same level of improvement, but starting from farther back, so I’m heartened by your experience.

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Nice.

I wonder why in 2004 you registered here, as a bad swimmer, with the name ‘water fun.’ Maybe you were being precient.

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I have lived on a lake for about 20 years. I have tons of toys in the backyard, which in the past was to try and keep the boyfriends here so I
could keep an eye on them. :o)

I used to water ski 9 months a year, everyday, so yep, I seem to enjoy the water.

Dave

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cause he rocks on the airchair and lives on a lake - more fun than swimming laps for sure
.

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Well, one never knows what one can do until they focus and make a total commitment. Since we are in the same AG as you say, I assume you fully
understand my comments that our runs will either not get better, and will not be decent for very long. This is why I have started the long term
change in focus. When you are younger, you can win on the run. But, from what I have seen in races of us older folks, is one can lose on the swim
and bike. So, decided to try and change my focus for the long term since swimming takes SO long to try to improve at. Biking for me also.

Thanks for the comments, and looking forward to how your races go next year with some real swim focus in the off season.

Dave

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Now that you said airchair, I was actually thinking of going out on the darn thing while the ski boat is still in the water.
They are a hoot to ski on!!! Just a pain trying to get a driver and observer.

Dave

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Brain, when you get to be my age, you will see that running is not where the race is won or lost for most. We
all tend to run slow, but boy can some older dudes still kick butt in the swim and bike.

And, will let my results speak for themselves!

Dave

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More is more, NO!!! Yep, if I can do what I am trying to do for next season, meaning the body can handle it,
yep, there is no doubt that more can be better, but, I sure would like to have a life back where I am not
tired all the time. :o(

Dave

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amen - had a ski nautique for about 5 years and tried the airchair. it actually takes a lot of skill to drive a ski boat properly, especially with an airchair