Beginner triathlete? Some Ironman Swim Training Tips
If you're determined to try an Ironman start, but swimming a little nervous about it, this can make you feel better.
Historically, most first Ironman start with more experience in implementing and / or bicycle instead of swimming. You are not alone!
Trust me, I survived my first swim test and you will too. When I saw the insane in 1982 and were 2.4 miles swimming in the ocean, my first thought was — "so I guess that rules me out." Given that I could not swim stroke at the time and had a healthy fear of water, my chances looked pretty slim.
Something happened though. The more I saw the race, else would. For time of the television version of Ironman Hawaii 1982, I was determined to learn to swim. Wanted to cross the finish line.
Two years later I was in Kona, the gun went, and I was on my way. This was my first bath OPEN WATER! And what a bathroom! I had a really crappy fan. Now I know. No I cared at that time. I was swimming in Kona – the Ironman!
I was beaten and kicked and hit, but luckily for me there were only about than 900 holders of that day. It would be much worse in the coming years as fields have grown to 2000 plus!
Back to Kona! It was surreal. Swimming to the boat with large orange candles which marked the return. Watching tropical fish while I swam. Divers sitting on the sea floor shaking as it swam through. Make half turn way and an underwater photographer taking my picture as a return to the boat and headed back. The rush I felt incredible as current lift me and pushed me toward the shore.
I can not even put into words what I felt when I stood up after an hour and 38 minutes and realized that it had completed the Hawaii Ironman swim. It was a turning point in my life. I knew then that the previous day was carried out, would be an Ironman.
Never forget that the transition tent. Is electric! It was like everyone was talking at once. You can "feel" a sense of accomplishment and relief in the air. On second thought, I really think that many people in the race that year feared swimming.
I told this story for a reason. It sure is not to boast. It inspires you. Is for you to realize that if you want this enough wrong, is there to take. POWER! WISDOM! STRENGTH! You have within you. Now – to let out. Get in the water!
Do not make the same mistakes I did well. Well I did everything wrong when I tried to make a fast swimmer.
I read the books. I swam thousands of lengths, reinforcing all of my bad habits. I swam for miles at a stretch buoys, because my feet were sinking. I attacked my way through the water. It took 10 years to take 15 minutes from my original swim Hawaii. The weapon to be and I would move my arms as fast as I could for 2.4 miles.
It took years, but I soon discovered I had to SLOW DOWN to swim faster. I learned that swimming relaxed and natural buoyancy that everyone was the answer. It was not really the speed that reached the other end of the pool, HOW! Eventually I learned that 16 strokes per 25 meters is relaxed a ton over 25 "arms move so fast how you can beat. "
Learn how to press the top half or your body (chest) in the water while swimming. Your lungs will act as natural buoy and when you master the technique who feel their legs up to the surface behind you. Its simple physics and see the difference in a day of training. "Press the buoy" every time you swim and will soon become natural. They also have their strokes and reduce the number of strokes it takes to reach the end of the pool. By the putt slide into down and understand the dynamics gradually begin to add speed. Soon the pool will improve by leaps and bounds.
I worked on it throughout the season training and found myself back in the swim start. I stayed calm and relaxed. I used my new loooooong smoooooth a stroke. It maintained good balance, even in the top of the water and was very relaxed when I finished the swim. I thought, "Well, I do not feel I worked very hard or swam very fast, but if my time is slower which is good, at least I feel great!
My time was a personal best by just over SWIM five minutes! In a season of training, learning to relax and swim with proper technique and waaaaay use smooooth movement and proper body balance that made a great improvement in my swimming.
Remember: Your miles do not swim in the number of training — how they swim. That's the key.
A few other things ..
If you do not manage to swim in open water during their training, do not worry about it. Save it for race day as I did. The right swim technical work anywhere. However, you should do some swimming in a wetsuit, even if only in the pool. Just getting used to how feel.
I recommend you eliminate all those swimming aids. kick boards and pull buoys should not really be part of your Ironman training Swim. No need to learn how to be a great kicker. Swim with proper technique and kicking is not a big problem and you can save your legs for later in the day. If you learn a proper water balance, the legs will not sink and will not need to use pull buoys.
Do not feel you "have" to join a swimming club to improve their swimming. If you like the club atmosphere, by all means, go for it. I always thought it was best for myself.
Just remember the following: The Ironman is an individual test. Much of it is done in solitude as you fight your own demons. Even if you have the company in the marathon – can not go. It's what's inside you to determine how the day ends.
About the Author
The author is a veteran of 14 Ironman triathlons and has created a site called Ironstruck.
He has also written three books that have been well-received by the triathlon community.
Ironstruck…The Ironman Triathlon Journey
Ironstruck? 500 Ironman Triathlon Questions And Answers
Triathlete In Transition (a book for the beginner triathlete)
The address for Ironstruck is
http://www.ironstruck.ca
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