Some Swimming Suggestions to Help You
Prepare for Your First Ironman Triathlon
If you are determined to attempt your first ironman,
but a bit nervous about the swim, this may make you feel
better.
Historically, more first time Ironman starters are more
experienced in the run and/or the bike as opposed to the swim.
You are not alone!
Trust me, I survived my first Ironman swim and so will you.
When I watched those crazy people back in 1982 and they were
swimming 2.4 miles in the ocean, my first thought was---"well I
guess that rules me out". Considering I couldn't swim a stroke
at the time and had a healthy fear of the water, my chances
looked pretty slim.
Something happened though. The more I watched the race, the
more I wanted to do it. By the time the T.V. version of Hawaii
Ironman 1982 was done, I was determined to learn how to swim. I
wanted to cross that finish line.
Two years later I was in Kona, the cannon went off, and I
was on my way. THIS WAS MY FIRST OPEN WATER SWIM! And what a
swim it was! I had a really crappy stoke. I know that now. I
didn't care at the time. I was swimming in Kona--in the
Ironman!
I got hit and kicked and run over, but luckily for me there
were only around 900 starters that day. It would get much worse
in coming years as fields have grown to 2000 plus!
Back to Kona! It was surreal. Swimming out to the boat with
the big orange sails that marked the turn. Watching tropical
fish as I swam. Scuba divers sitting on the ocean floor waving
as we swam by. Making the turn at half-way and an under-water
photographer taking my picture as I rounded the boat and headed
back. The amazing rush as I felt the current lift me and push
me towards shore.
I can't even put into words what it felt like when I stood
up after one hour and 38 minutes and realized I had finished
the Hawaii Ironman swim. It was a defining moment in my life. I
knew right then that before the day was done, I would be an
Ironman.
I will never forget that transition tent. It was electric!
It was like everyone was talking at once. You could "feel" the
sense of accomplishment and relief in the air. Thinking back, I
truly believe a lot of people in the race that year were
dreading the swim.
I told you this story for a reason. It sure isn't to brag.
It's to inspire you. It's to make you realize that if you want
this bad enough, its there for the taking. POWER! WISDOM!
STRENGTH! You have that inside you. Now--let it out. Get in the
water!
Don't make the same mistakes I did though. I pretty well did
everything wrong when I tried to make myself a faster
swimmer.
I read books. I swam thousands of lengths, Reinforcing all
my bad habits. I swam miles and miles with pull buoys, because
my feet sank. I blasted my way through the water. It took me 10
years to take 15 minutes off my original Hawaii swim. The gun
would go off and I would move my arms as fast I could for 2.4
miles.
It took years, but I soon discovered that I had to SLOW DOWN
in order to swim faster. I learned that swimming relaxed and
using the natural buoyancy that we all have was the answer. It
wasn't really how FAST I got to the other end of the pool, it
was HOW! I finally learned that 16 relaxed strokes every 25
meters is a ton better then 25 "move your arms as fast as you
can strokes."
Learn to press the upper half or your body(your chest)into
the water as you swim. Your lungs will act as a natural buoy
and when you master the technique you will feel your legs rise
to the surface behind you. Its simple physics and you will see
a difference in one training day. "Press your buoy" every time
you swim and soon it will become natural. Also count your
strokes and reduce the number of strokes it takes to reach the
end of the pool. When you get the smooth gliding stroke down
and understand the buoyancy, slowly begin to add speed. Soon
your swimming will improve by leaps and bounds.
I worked on that for the whole training season and found
myself back at the Ironman swim start. I stayed calm and
relaxed. I used my new loooooong, smoooooth, stroke. Kept nice
even balance on top of the water, and was very relaxed when I
finished the swim. I thought, "well, I don't feel like I worked
very hard or swam very fast, but if my time's slower that's ok,
at least I feel great!
MY TIME WAS A PERSONAL BEST SWIM BY JUST OVER FIVE MINUTES!
In one training season, by learning to relax, and swim with
proper technique and use loooong, smooooth strokes and proper
body balance I made a huge improvement in my swimming.
Remember: Its not how many miles you swim in training---its
how you swim. That's the key.
A few other things..
If you don't manage to swim in the open water during your
training, don't worry about it. Save it for race day like I
did. The right swim technique will work anywhere. You should
however, do some swimming in your wetsuit even if its just in
the pool. Just to get used to how it feels.
I highly recommend you do away with all those swimming aids.
Kick boards and pull buoys shouldn't really be part of your
ironman swim training. There's no need to learn how to be a
great kicker. Swim with proper technique and kicking is not a
big issue and you can save your legs for later in the day. If
you learn proper balance in the water, your legs won't sink and
you won't need to use pull buoys.
Don't feel you 'have' to join a swim club to improve your
swimming. If you enjoy the club atmosphere, by all means, go
for it. I always found I did better on my own.
Just remember this: The Ironman is an individual event. Much
of it is done in solitude as you fight your own demons. Even if
you have company in the marathon--they cannot carry you. It is
what is inside you that will determine how your day ends.
I experienced the Ironman swim 14 times. It wasn't until
about the last 5 races that I truly learned how to approach the
swim. Hopefully my swim suggestions can save you a lot of trial
and error.
My website is called "Ironstruck". My address--http://www.triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com
Triathlon Training
in 4 Hours a Week
If you've never done a triathlon before and don't know
where to get started, Triathlete Eric Harr can help
you. He went from having no exercise routine to
training for a triathlon - and enjoying it.
He shares secrets he learned - including ways to
save time and money that are especially helpful for someone
who already leads a busy lifestyle. Think you can't do a
triathlon? Think again!
What you'll find out >>
- How to stretch and strengthen your body
- How to get the right gear without blowing your
budget
- Putting together your training program
- Become faster while making training easier
- The best fuel to help your body perform
better
- How to avoid injuries
- Click here >> Triathlon
Training Tips | Basic
Swimming Techniques
|