Swimming and Triathlon
Can you swim well enough to compete in a triathlon
Can you swim well enough to compete in a triathlon?
Swimming and Triathlon – One of the most common reasons people give up on triathlons is because they don’t think they can swim. But, the truth is that everyone can learn to swim and if you take the time and are dedicated to learning it, you will soon be swimming like a pro!
You don’t have to be a freestyle swimmer either, breaststroke or backstroke is fine. The most important thing is that you enjoy it!
1. You don’t have to swim freestyle.
There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what you need to be a good swimmer to compete in a triathlon. The truth is, you don’t have to swim freestyle.
If you’re a beginner or just not confident in the water, it can be overwhelming to think about swimming. The idea of being in the water, kicking, and breathing all at the same time can be scary!
The best thing you can do to reduce this feeling of panic is to learn to breathe properly. This will allow you to feel more confident underwater and make the swim portion of your triathlon less stressful.
Another key skill to master is sighting. Sighting is the ability to see your position while in the water, and if you can do it well, it will help keep you on course and avoid getting lost.
You can practice this by turning your head to the side every couple of strokes while in the water. This will help you stay on course and prevent any confusion at turns or buoys during your race.
This will help you move faster and avoid spending too much energy in the water. In addition to this, proper breathing techniques can also help you conserve energy during the swim leg of your triathlon.
There are several drills you can do to help you improve your swimming skills, and these will all make a huge difference on race day. The best part about these drills is that they are easy to do and won’t take up a lot of your training time.
2. You don’t have to be a great swimmer.
There is no doubt that swimming is a hugely beneficial discipline to train in, however, it doesn’t have to be the most enjoyable part of a triathlon. As long as you have good technique, it is a very efficient way to get around the course in a short time.
A great way to get faster in the pool is to practice and refine your stroke with a coach. Getting a better grip on your position and removing any wiggle in the water will help to reduce your effort.
Another technical skill to focus on is your hand entry into the water. You need to avoid a mechanical entry, which is where your hand tries to slice the water. Instead, you should extend your arm so that it is parallel to the bottom of the pool as your hand drops in.
You should also avoid crossing the midline on entry – this can cause your legs and body to be in an unnatural position. Lastly, don’t over-rotate your hands on entry as this can create tension in the muscles.
If you aren’t a strong swimmer, it can be helpful to swim in a group with people who are similar to you. This can help you to develop your speed and reduce the chances of you being pushed out by someone stronger than you.
Taking part in a triathlon can be very rewarding, as it is an outdoor activity that allows you to enjoy the beautiful countryside and explore new surroundings. It is also a great way to diversify your workout and give you a change from the same old routines.
3. You don’t have to be a fast swimmer.
When you sign up for a triathlon, one of your main goals is likely to be completing the swim. It is probably the hardest part of a triathlon and requires the most effort, but it isn’t necessary to be a fast swimmer to compete in this sport.
There are lots of things you can do to improve your swimming. The most important is getting better technique. This means not lifting your head too high to breathe, keeping your hips low in the water when taking a breath and avoiding kicking more than six times per stroke cycle.
Good technique can make the difference between shaven seconds off your race time or minutes. It can also help you avoid fatigue that may slow you down on the bike or run.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when training is 70 per cent technique and 30 per cent fitness. This is because a good technique can reduce the amount of resistance you have to work against in the water and therefore increase your speed.
This is important in a triathlon as the swim is usually a lot shorter than the biking and running stages, making it easier to conserve energy. So it is a good idea to practice this technique in the pool as often as possible.
Another thing to be aware of when swimming is sighting – is the ability to look ahead and ensure you are on course. It can be a little bit taxing but if you can sight every four or six strokes (depending on your swimming experience) this will help you keep track of your position as well as reduce your chance of dropping back too far.
4. You don’t have to be a strong swimmer.
You don’t need to be a great swimmer, or even a fast swimmer to compete in a triathlon. However, you do need to be able to swim well enough to make it from the swimming pool to T1 (the first transition) and have sufficient energy left over to power through the second leg of the triathlon.
A key aspect of swimming is proper technique. This is a discipline that requires constant refinement. The best swimmers are masters of pacing themselves in the water and executing their strokes with perfection.
There are a few things that you can do to help improve your technique. Start by working on the mechanics of your stroke – how your arms, legs and bum work together to propel you forward. For example, focus on keeping your hands slightly wide in the centre and a small gap between them so they are open at the tip to save energy in your kicks.
Another way to improve your technique is to practice swimming with a buddy. This will give you a chance to see yourself from their perspective and make sure you are doing your strokes properly.
Finally, consider joining a swimming team or signing up for a swimming clinic to get some technical help from a coach. This can be a fantastic resource and will help you to progress your technique to the next level!
In the same way that runners need to practice running and cyclists need to train on their bikes, aspiring triathletes should also learn how to swim. This will help them to become familiar with the water and make it a less stressful part of their training. They’ll also benefit from the fact that swimming will allow them to build muscle mass and tone up their core, arms and shoulders.
5. You don’t have to be a good swimmer.
If you have ever tried a swimming session at a pool, you know that it can be very challenging. You have to wake up early, put on your goggles and head down to the pool for an hour or more of staring at a black line below you.
But it is not all doom and gloom. You can learn to love swimming, and if you’re a triathlete, there are ways to incorporate it into your training plan.
One of the best ways to improve your technique is to practice with a coach or instructor. They can watch you in the water, and provide feedback. This will help you see what you’re doing wrong and can give you a good idea of what to work on.
Another way to improve your swimming is to practice in the open water. This will help you get used to the water and will prepare you for a race.
It’s a common mistake for new swimmers to hold their heads up too high, which causes their hips to drop and their legs to sink. This can create a drag that slows them down.
In addition, they often kick too many times per stroke cycle. This can also lead to poor swim form and make it difficult for you to breathe properly.
Getting into the water and practising is essential, especially in the off-season (the time before you start serious training again). You’ll need to build up your swimming habits and be comfortable with the water before your racing season starts.
If you’re a new swimmer, it’s a great idea to join a group or master’s swim program. This will teach you proper etiquette and pacing, as well as add a social aspect to your training. It will also keep you accountable and help you build confidence in your abilities.