I’m new to Triathlon training, so please be work with me (Everyone starts somewhere): I’m starting out by doing a “Try it on” Triathlon (300m swim, 9 mile bike, 2 mile run). Not very intensive, but I wanted to get my feet wet. I’m in decent fitness shape and am running 3-4 miles at 10:00/mile pace and building. I’m new to cycling also, but I think i can build for a 9 mile ride, as i have some friends that can help me and ride with.
My question is to swim training…i’m a decent swimmer (never competitive), but i’m a little new to swim training. I’ve done about 3 sessions so far and i’ve tried paying attention to my form, over endurance. On Sunday, i went for an open water swim at the lake and was very winded about 100m out doing freestyle. I had no problem doing the 300m, but of course i had to do the breast stroke and even backstroke for a minute or so.
What’s the best way (training) to build endurance in swimming to make the swim without getting winded (seemed much more intense than running re: endurance, but less taxing on the body)? Of course i want to have good form also, but would like to be able to swim the full 300m freestyle and build on that afterwards.
if you dont have time to get a technique check or change anything about your stroke, trust me that kind of stuff is hard and can be very frustrating, i would focus on getting the endurance up. Open water swimming the first time is a challenge, sighting, the nerves, waves, all can make a huge impact on your body and your stroke (even with great technique it can fall apart, my first OWS caused me to have to stretch my back every five minutes at the end of the 2 miles(swam with my head up the entire time)). make sure you learn flip turns they are a way of not stopping and resting (i know that some on here dont agree with that) flip turns allow you to better simulate open water swimming by tranfering your momentum and not allowing you to breath at the turn. Increase your volume of swimming, depending on when the race is you might not have time to focus on technique and get the endurance you are looking for.
The Try it On is a couple of months away, so i’ve got some time to build. Not sure I have the $$ to get a coach or join a Master’s Swim at this point… I may try to find someone to look at my stroke…
I did read somewhere that some good advice is “Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast”. Maybe i’m trying to hard and not paying attention to the full motion of my swim stroke. Not a smooth stroke, which would be more technique.
My swim wasn’t physically taxing, just the breathing was taxing…
Are you breathing out while your face is in the water? If not, this is probably why your breathing is so taxing. Breath out slowly (nose or mouth) while your face is in the water and just prior to coming to breath expel what ever air you have left. You’ll be surprised how less taxing you will feel.