There is no way i can finish a 1.2mile swim in freestyle and in one go. So what other strokes i should practice to take break in open water and still not lose much time. Shall i also practice my treading water skills?
Butterfly.
There is no way i can finish a 1.2mile swim in freestyle and in one go. So what other strokes i should practice to take break in open water and still not lose much time. Shall i also practice my treading water skills?
Breaststroke. Ignore the sarcastic, non informative butterfly response. Breaststroke, sidestroke. You could do backstroke, but in open water the waves coming over your head make it hard to breathe. 
John
But if you must breaststroke, do it in an open area, not in the middle of the pack. I hate getting kicked in the side.
For sure breaststroke. It’s an easy stroke and offers plenty of breathing time. Just make sure you’re clear of others so you don’t kick them while breaststroking. I make a point to steer well away from breastrokers to avoid that.
Not with that attitude you can’t!
breast stroke is the way to go to take a rest, and practice in open water so you don’t freak out. Freaking out is what kills you.
Also htfu and learn to free better! (apologies if you have some sort of serious medical issue that actually makes this impossible)
There is no way i can finish a 1.2mile swim in freestyle and in one go. So what other strokes i should practice to take break in open water and still not lose much time. Shall i also practice my treading water skills?
When is your race, and how far can you swim now? 1.2 miles is 2112 yards, or about 42 pool laps if your stuck swimming inside for the 2.5 months like myself. I’d be willing to bet you could get there relatively quickly swimming 3-4 times per week.
Here is the best advice there is regarding this issue which unfortunately is very rarely followed.
Go to the pool THIS week and swim 2200 yards non stop without touching the bottom, I suggest using 1 lap free and 1 lap breast as a starting point, but change it up as necessary. It will take you a while but just settle in and do it. When you get out of the pool you will have conquered a huge mental issue a big thing hanging in the air.
At that point, 1. you’ll know you can do it and 2. you’ll have a better respect and handle on what the training will take 3. You just might learn to relax in the water a little better as well.
Why can you not finish 1.2 miles freestyle?
You may need to join a master swim class and a few simple stroke adjustments is all that is needed. Last year at this time, I thought no way could I swim 1.2 miles or even 2.4 miles. I would get so tired after a few laps in the pool that I thought it was impossible.
The swim coach made a few adjustments and I was on my way.
… You just might learn to relax in the water a little better as well.
And do a sprint and Olympic triathlon before you do the half. That will help with the confidence of doing open water swims. I went from being fearful of the water to really enjoying the swim.
Sorry to say this, but if you can’t make the swim, don’t do the event.
Besides, breastroke takes more effort than freestyle.
Tough love time: if you don’t think you can comfortably finish the course distance, you don’t belong in the water come race day.
But odds are good that the issue is more of a mental one than a physical one- just go to the pool and do some long stuff. Take your time, don’t let your breathing get ahead of you, and just keep going without atopping at the wall.
I’m not a big fan of breaststroke on race day- you’re creating a hazard situation for the swimmers around you with breaststroke kick and can sweriously hurt someone if you aren’t a careful swimmer. (and at this stage in the game, you’re not)
Based on his earlier post "i am good at swimming…I can do 500m in 9min 45 sec and 750 in 15 min and 1000m in 21 min. After that, i am done! ", those times were the slow lane at the master class I did.
I think a master swim class would improve his speed and endurance.
i swim four times a week but the yardage is nowhere near because of running schedule and work, school etc. I can swim 1000m without stopping but feel tired after that. Open water does not scare me at all. Just the endurance is not there.
Based on his earlier post "i am good at swimming…I can do 500m in 9min 45 sec and 750 in 15 min and 1000m in 21 min. After that, i am done! ", those times were the slow lane at the master class I did.
I think a master swim class would improve his speed and endurance.
hey…i was just trying to give myself some credit for hard work!!
Have you been to a master swim class or had a coach look at your swim stroke?
“So what other strokes i should practice to take break in open water and still not lose much time.”
If you can’t swim 1.2 miles with a wetsuit without stopping, is the time really that important? Just grab a kayak so you don’t accidentally kick someone if you need a break and take some swim lessons.
Two years ago I could barely swim 100 yards. I did not join a Masters group, hire a coach, or anything to drastic. I swam. 3 times a week until the longest I can tolerate (boredom) is 4400 yards. Takes me a while since I am not a super strong swimmer. It is just like the run and the bike. 20 miles on the bike used to seem like a pretty good distance, now i debate if I should even wear bike shorts for anything under 30. I would suggest just swimming, a lot and often. You will improve quickly, just because you are getting more comfortable in the water, and like other posters have said, that is very important.
If you can swim 1000 yards in 20 minutes, you’re “slower” but you are not drowning. How many strokes does it take you to complete 1 length of the pool? That would probably give us a better indication of your stroke efficiency than any other one question I could ask.
If you have poor form, you’d probably help yourself more by fixing that than anything else.
If your form is even just survivable, then you just need to swim more, longer. Slow down if you have to. Make sure you are not holding your breath (exhale while under water). Breath every other stroke. Go to the pool toaday and do 4 x 300. Do a long continuous swim every week or 2 just for confidence.
As for your race, when you get tired: stop, tread water and sight for a few seconds, then keep going. If you swam the distance in 5 minute increments you’d only do this about 7 times and it’d cost you no more than a minute or so.
Then swim a shorter distance.