First Time Tri- Practice Swim on Course ?

I would say go for it.... something tells me just from your post that you have worked hard in preparing for your first Tri...which translates to you not giving up on any training seesions because they were to tough....so treat it as another training session. 

I also have my first Tri on June 5th and am looking to do a pre race swim on the course....and plan to treat it like just any other swim....at least that is what I am telling myself....live and learn.

Good luck on June 5th.

Good luck to you too!

Here's why I'm nervous about the swim:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=251523&posts=25&start=1

Let me preface this by saying am an in no way an experienced triathlete, so take this for what its worth.

Similar to you I thought I would go do a trial run on the course the other day (tri this weekend.)

A few things happend. 

1.  I got more comfortable with the wetsuit and really enjoyed the boyancy it gave me.  I didnt have to turn my neck near as much to breath.

2.  I got a little more comfortable not being able to see what the heck is going on.  Nothing but greenish brown water covering my eyes.

3.  On the bad side, the water was cold and it really threw off my breathing.  I have trained bi-lateral and I couldnt last more than 100 yrds without having to go every other breath (or one sided breathing).  Not a change I like making right before the race.

4.  Because it was so different from training I am sort of glad I did it, but now kind of freaked out about race day when before the practice I wasnt too worried.

So, after all that, I would still say go and practice, but dont let the things you didnt expect freak you out too much.

Practice make perfect! Do the practice swim slow and easy.  Do the swim portion of the race slow and easy.  Beginners have a habit of going out too hard and struggling early on in the swim.

Brian

I have been taught and practice this always.  No training for 48 hours before race day.  If you are not ready by then, one more swim probably will not help much.  Save ur energy and just get through the swim one way or another.  Keep your speeds up on the bike and kill the run!  Take time to enjoy the day, your first race only happens once!

My first tri is in 11 days and I was getting very panicky about the swim. I really was very close to throwing in the towel before the race because I seriously don't want to drown and I was starting to think I might.

One of the sponsors held an OWS tonight in the same general area of the race. Not the exact course but same Lake, not far from actual race course. I went and was a nervous wreck all day. Twice I told dh to turn the car around and take me back home. He didn't and I did it! I can't tell you what this did for my mental state. I am soooooo much more relaxed about my race and now I know I can do it and I'm not pulling out. I am thrilled that I went, and feel so much better knowing that I swam the distance.

I would say go. For me it was a major mental boost that I really needed.

Good luck,

Shelly

Just Do It  don't race it but, Just Do It

It will set you up for a better race.

I find a practice swim on the course always helpful... if only to be able to locate and practice sighting points to help you swim straight on race day...