I am currently contemplating my first ever DNS at a race. This would be a first for me – I’ve had tantrums by the side of the road in a marathon, I’ve nearly been sick during a half, and I’ve slogged myself ragged and missed my target time by 17 measly seconds in a 10K. But never, ever have I not started a race that I have signed up for. And I write this post hoping for advice – should I compete in my Olympic Distance triathlon next weekend, or no?
The event starts with a 1500m lake swim, and this is the sticking point for me. Events have conspired against me that I haven’t had the chance to practice swimming in open water even once. I’m afraid of the “unfathomable, breathless panic” that Susie talks about here, and being kicked in the face by my friends. As I work away during the week, the only chance I may get to try out open water swimming before the event is before my half marathon at Coniston on Sunday – not really the best of timings, for either the swim or the race.
Yes, I have been in lakes before, as the photo above attests. In fact, as a teenager growing up in British Columbia, Canada, I generally spent every weekend from May to September bobbing about on various inflatables on lakes. So at least I’m not afraid of lake weeds sliming me. But as I wasn’t even vaguely interested in exercise at the time, the extent of my interaction with the water was dipping in, a metre from the raft, when I got too hot sunbathing. Look at the picture above again – I didn’t even take the sunglasses off my head, for goodness sake.
One of the coaches at my wonderful tri club has been kind enough to offer to lend me a wetsuit for the event. Some people say this makes everything a lot easier (at least you float), but others have said it’s restrictive and hard to draw your arms over your head.
The cycle and the run I’m not too worried about. I can do them as slow as I like, have a proper Sunday potter. There isn’t a cut-off other than the fact that I don’t want to keep my tri club pals who will be marshalling away from their dinners and sofas.
So, I defer to you who have gone before me – is open water swimming all that bad? Two 750m laps. That’s 60 lengths of the pool, which seems like quite a lot. Can I just wing it, or am I setting myself up for tears at best and drowning at worst? What would YOU do in my position?
(No matter what I decide for this race, I am committed to getting started with open water swimming. As a kind of penance for not appreciating what I had as a teenager, I’ve actually entered an aquathlon in Canada, perfectly timed for my trip back in the summer. It will be a novel sight for my Canadian friends, who knew me as a total lazybones. I genuinely didn’t even know how to ride a bike, but more on that another time.)
I did a sprint tri without any open water training last week and the only difficult bit was putting my head in the cold water because i wasn’t used to it and automatically took a massive breath every time because it was so cold! So I swam a very slow but pleasant lap, smiling all the way. If you’re a strong swimmer then go for it. And even if you’re not there will be kayaks there to help you and as you said, there’s no cut off so plod round to your heart’s content. Good luck!
Thank you Sophie! It’s really good to hear from someone who has had the experience of being a total newb. I think I’m going to manage one or two dips beforehand so it’s won’t be a TOTAL shock.
I’ve just started open water swimming in training for a half ironman. It is weird and I’ve definitely had some moments of panic but it’s also quite serene and natural feeling being away from the sterile environment of a pool.
I’d say do it, definitely wear the wetsuit otherwise you’ll stop with cold. Just start on the edge of the group so away from the chaos and take it easy. Swim with your head up as much as you want.
Thank you Ben! I think staying away from the pack is a really good idea – I definitely wn’t enjoy all of that thrashing and kicking.
Good luck in your half Ironman! How far away is it?
I feel your pain. I have long wanted to do a tri but my pisspoor swimming has always been an obstacle. I bet you’d be fine, but that doesn’t mean you should do it if you feel uncomfortable. Go with your gut feeling, Bibi, pulling out of something is no shame if it doesn’t feel like it’s right. Or go for it. Either way, there are plenty more opportunities to do one.
You should take swimming coaching! I couldn’t swim even a length of front crawl two years ago, and I found a group lesson when I was working in Halifax, and swam with them. Then I had the confidence to join tri club, and get more coaching. I’m no Mark Spitz but I can hold my own in crawl now, and really love the feel of it.
I’d really recommend it – mum has a really good teacher in Leeds, too. It’s just fun to master a new skill, I reckon.
I have never competed or even thought about entering a tri, but I like the saying ‘You don’t know until you try’ (tri!) . It sounds like you’re planning on giving open water swimming a go one day, so why not race day? 🙂
I like your attitude! I’m going to give the water a go earlier in the week, to make sure I’m not going to have a panic attack, then give it my best shot on the Sunday.
Wish me luck!
From someone who has not done any kind of race, but who has done a fair amount of swimming both in open and closed water, I say go for it. As others have said, take it easy and go at a comfortable pace for you. I could only assume it would be good practice for the next one, which I’ll hopefully be able to cheer you on at!
xo
Hey, do you want to do the race with me? It will be fun! I think it’s a 3K run at the end, and you would SMASH that easy.
I love OW swimming & just did my first Olympic distance yesterday, so if it was up to me I’d say do it! But if you are not comfortable, then I’d say postpone it til later this year & get in some more OW training in 🙂
Well done Lucy! I’m going to have a practice earlier in the week and see how I feel. I like swimming a lot, and have experience the water – but like you say, there’s not harm in postponing. I am signed up for a later race, if this one doesn’t pan out.
I’d say go for it, but take it as a learning experience, just to get through. Wear a wetsuit and don’t forget to lube the back of your neck with body butter.
(disclaimer: My tri problems are with the cycle leg rather than the swim).
Good luck!
Yes, I think some practicing of taking my wetsuit on and off would be invaluable!! Thank you for the advice – watch this space to see if I do it or not. Eeeek.
I almost didn’t do a sprint tri the other week because I wasn’t confident my swimming was up to scratch,even after practising in open water. I too feared being trampled and drowning. But before the event I got a proper insulated swim cap to wear under the free and compulsory one you have to wear. I also went to the free seminar run by the event which gave tips about starting down water from everyone else so you don’t get kicked/taking a wide line around the buoy so you don’t have to stop unlike the rest of the pack/resorting to breast stroke etc. These things all really helped (especially the super duper swim cap). And guess what? I finished the swim and the whole event. Fifteen minutes quicker than anticipated. And with a PB in the 5k run by over a minute. Imagine if I hadn’t TRIed………
Oooh, Fran, you are definitely making me tempted to go for it. I hadn’t thought of the neoprene hat – I’d only really thought of them for like ice-swimmers or something. I definitey worry that brain freeze would be mega disorienting. MORE stuff to buy!
What open water goggles do you have, and are they polarised?
Hi there,
Not sure if it’s too late as it sounds like your race might have been last weekend but thought I’d post my experiences! I’m now in my third triathlon season having done super -print, sprint and Olympic distances. Unusually (it seems) for triathlon, my strongest discipline is swimming and I’ve also completed a few open water swim only races. Unfortunately I can’t run and am not a speedy cyclist so I then spend the rest of the race being overtaken!
My top tips:
1. If at all possible, do an open water swim session before the race (one is enough). The major differences are temperature and the fact that you can’t see far underwater. It’s a bit of a shock to the system at first but you will very quickly adapt- it’s better not to have to do this on race day! If you can’t do a session before your race, it’s not the end of the world. Just try to get into the water as soon as possible-many tri’s are deep water starts so you’ll probably be herded in about 5 mins before the start- use this time to get used to having your head under water, do a few strokes and position yourself well (see below).
2. To get the wetsuit on, put your feet in plastic bags and use these to slide the wetsuit on. Use lots of lubricant e.g. body glide and put some on your neck too as the wetsuit will rub her lots (you’ll only notice this the next day- feels like sunburn!). Once in the water your wetsuit will feel much less restrictive and will be much easier to take off after. To take off, undo the zip then quickly pull each arm off, inside out, in one movement. To get out of the legs, stand on the wetsuit with the other foot- you’re unlikely to damage it.
3. Probably most important if you’re nervous, position yourself at the edge and back of the group, well away from everyone else. You may end up swimming an extra few metres but you won’t get kicked and or tangled up with everyone else. I still do this, even it I’m trying to get a really fast time.The other pinch points are going round the buoys at the turning points, so again, just swim wide.
4. If you get tired or anxious, just slow down and do breaststroke/doggy paddle for a bit and remember if you’re really worried just go on your back, put your hand up and a canoe will rescue you- that’s what they are there for. I know in some races, canoeist will even let you hand on for a bit then continue when you feel better (but this might not always be the case). Completely unexpectedly and very unusual for me, I had an episode of severe breathing difficultly during the swim at the WTS Hyde Park Olympic race last weekend, I thought I was going to have to pull out but a couple of minutes of very slow breaststroke helped me calm down and still managed to finish the swim in 32 mins and the whole race in a personal best.
I hope the race went/goes well. Triathlon is amazing fun and I’d really encourage anyone to give it a tri!
Fiona! Thank you SO much for this, this is brilliant and actually very well timed. The race is on Saturday.
I’m going to go for a practice Open Water Swim tomorrow in the Albert Dock in Liverpool, just to get the feel for the water and make sure that I’m not going to *completely* freak out. I’ve about 80% certain I’m going to do the race at the weekend – I’ve realised it’s the best supervised open water swim I’ll ever have! When will I ever normally get the chance to have canoeists alongside??
Thank you for the tips re: the wetsuit, that’s absolutely ace. I’ll let you know how it goes. x