General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do you rest during the swim leg? Rss Feed  
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2013-02-13 8:53 AM

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Subject: Do you rest during the swim leg?

I'm signed up for my first oly and half distance races this summer.  I've done a few sprints and I'm able to swim 1500-2000m in a pool, at an easy pace.

I'm going to have to drive a good distance to get open water swim practice, so I'm likely to not get an ideal amount.

My concern is nerves may get the best of me, or I may get off my pace.

Is it common to switch to backstroke for rest? In freestyle I tend to feel in need a few deep breathes.

Any other techniques?



2013-02-13 8:59 AM
in reply to: #4620408

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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

absolutely nothing wrong with rolling over to take a quick breather.  Will all depend on your level of comfort.  Nerves and adrenaline can easily get the best of you, in the longer distance races I tell myself in my head...do your race.

Best way is to just go to the outside edge of the pack, it will help you say calm and allow you to focus more on your swimming.  I would only stay in the middle of the pack if you are a strong swimmer anyway.

2013-02-13 9:02 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

I see that you're in Akron (assuming Ohio).  Just drive to Portage Lakes or something to practice, no need to drive up to Lake Erie or anything... it isn't about getting practice with waves, but instead getting practice in an environment the same as you'll be racing in - with no lane lines, not clear, little visibility, having to sight, etc...

 

As for the resting bit, yes it is very common for folks to switch strokes. In fact, it is highly recommended that you use whichever stroke(s) that safely and rapidly gets you to the bike segment.  Rolling onto the back and breast stroke are VERY common.  In my one Oly that I did last year, I got winded eaily and simply just would stop to sight and would take a few extra breaths at the same time. 

 

Whatever gets you there, works.



Edited by cgregg 2013-02-13 9:02 AM
2013-02-13 9:13 AM
in reply to: #4620408


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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
very common. I swim about 90 percent freestyle, 10% breast no matter the distance. 
2013-02-13 9:36 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
All of the above....side stroke also
2013-02-13 9:39 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

If you anticipate changing pace and/or strokes mid-race, try to get to the outside so you don't have someone on your feet.  Sudden changes in pace can lead to pile ups. 

 

 



2013-02-13 9:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

I spend probably too much time sighting and taking extra breaths here and there.  I usually do a side-crawl here and there.  It comes from simply worrying about swimming off into the distance, not realizing I am off course.

I don't really do it to "rest" though.  I go slowly enough that I can cover the distance nonstop, even if it's slower than my ideal pace. I don't find being in the water very restful, since no matter what I have to do something to keep afloat.  

So yes, people will be doing other strokes.  But my best advice would be to keep on training and be very careful with your pace so that you have enough gas to keep going. 

2013-02-13 9:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

Assuring and helpful comments, thanks.

Another rest topic; before my first tri I made the mistake of resting too much before the event.  I thought it was a good idea to stay out of the pool a week prior.  As a relatively new swimmer, that was a huge mistake.  I ended up losing my stroke/groove.  This season I'll swim just prior but just take easy.

2013-02-13 9:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

vomer - 2013-02-13 9:13 AM very common. I swim about 90 percent freestyle, 10% breast no matter the distance. 

This is exactly what I do.  And it also gives you a chance to "enjoy" the moment.....

2013-02-13 10:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Goosedog - 2013-02-13 10:39 AM

If you anticipate changing pace and/or strokes mid-race, try to get to the outside so you don't have someone on your feet.  Sudden changes in pace can lead to pile ups. 

 

 

x2  

This can be very disconcerting to the person stopping.  I've surprised a couple of people who were in front of me, going at a fair clip, and then just stopped.  I and a couple people next to me ended up right on their backs (very unintentional, of course).  It was disruptive to me - I peeled off as soon as I was on the person in front of me.. not sure about the other folks - but I think it was near terrifying to the person who was overtaken all of sudden on both sides and from the rear.

Agree that if your pace will change, better to get to the edge of the pack.  It's bad enough to get passed, but it's probably worse to get swum into...

As for stroke changes, I find the sidestroke best to keep a decent pace and be able to take some deep breaths (when I swim breaststroke, my face is in the water a fair amount - sidestroke is pretty quick and I can both breathe ad lib and convert to freestyle easily).  Just my approach.

2013-02-13 10:07 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
You people that call breast stoke resting amaze me. It wears me out. I went swimming with my 9 year old and I let him design the workout. We were doing 50yd breast @ race pace with 100 free recovery. The breast stroke was in no way a rest for me.


2013-02-13 11:43 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Just a word of caution if you plan on doing backstroke. Backstroke in a pool & open water are very different! Two issues, first currents & moving water make it difficult to swim straight & second, you can't see so you have no idea where you are going! I tried the backstroke in my very first Tri, planning to alternate between free & back. First time I flipped on my back, I was swimming along & bam, ran right into a kayak! I had gotten way off course & had no idea. After that I was done with backstroke. I don't see any problem flipping on your back to get a rest, but it's hard to make a lot of forward progress that way. If I need a rest, I just breathe more (breast or butterfly WOULD NOT be a rest for me!).
2013-02-13 12:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
In my swims I almost always take a rest.  I usually do it near a kayak and chat to the lifeguard so they know I'm OK.  I did ask once if I could bum a cigarette which they thought was hilarious.
2013-02-13 12:38 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Sidney Porter - 2013-02-13 10:07 AM

You people that call breast stoke resting amaze me. It wears me out. I went swimming with my 9 year old and I let him design the workout. We were doing 50yd breast @ race pace with 100 free recovery. The breast stroke was in no way a rest for me.


Breast stroke is very hard but they are talking about nice and easy movements, not racing
2013-02-13 12:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Switching strokes is common for some, not for others. I do not switch strokes. Early on I had on occasion stopped completely to catch my breath or reel in my anxiety, but I learned how to control my pace and my mind and no longer need to rest during a race.
2013-02-13 12:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
I do not but if you do switch strokes, please make sure you are away from others. Especially for breaststroke. You could deliver a painful kick in the head or back. Not a fun way to start a race.


2013-02-13 1:01 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
jlenze - 2013-02-13 8:53 AM

I'm signed up for my first oly and half distance races this summer.  I've done a few sprints and I'm able to swim 1500-2000m in a pool, at an easy pace.

I'm going to have to drive a good distance to get open water swim practice, so I'm likely to not get an ideal amount.

My concern is nerves may get the best of me, or I may get off my pace.

Is it common to switch to backstroke for rest? In freestyle I tend to feel in need a few deep breathes.

Any other techniques?

 

Any time I get off pace I tell my self "focus on your breathing" repeatedly until I get back on pace.  Helps me concentrate on what I'm doing instead of what others are doing.

It also helps me focus on my breathing (which will keep you oxygenated and energized).

2013-02-13 1:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
For OWS I now try to start off at a slower pace, try to remain calm and work my way into nice smooth stroke. First couple of OWS I started out to fast, heart rate shot up (maybe a little bit of panic) and struggled with the rest of the swim.
2013-02-13 1:55 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
jlenze - 2013-02-13 9:53 AM

I'm signed up for my first oly and half distance races this summer.  I've done a few sprints and I'm able to swim 1500-2000m in a pool, at an easy pace.

I'm going to have to drive a good distance to get open water swim practice, so I'm likely to not get an ideal amount.

My concern is nerves may get the best of me, or I may get off my pace.

Is it common to switch to backstroke for rest? In freestyle I tend to feel in need a few deep breathes.

Any other techniques?

Nothing at all wrong with taking a break if you need it.  You can also grab onto a boat or kayak for a breather as well.  

2013-02-13 1:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Any stroke is allowable, but do be careful switching strokes, especially to breaststroke as it's very easy to end up accidentally kicking a nearby swimmer.  I got breaststroke kicked in my right side by an adjacent swimmer in the first 500 m of a 4 km OWS race and it completely winded me.  I had to stop and do sidestroke for about 100 m and it took me about 1 km to get my breathing completely back under control and the ache to go away.  I'm a FOP swimmer, but I often have to slow down because of bottlenecks on the course, especially rounding buoys, so I always switch to sidestroke.  With sidestroke, you can easily sight on the buoys ahead (unlike backstroke), and it doesn't take up as much space as breaststroke.  
2013-02-13 2:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Really depends on distance and conditions. Did an OWS race two weeks back 1.5km didn't rest at all. Before Christmas did a 1.2k. Race huge swell irregular chop allowed myself a hundred freestyle stroke twenty breast/ side to get my breath and sight. Could not see buoys unless stopped! Tough day at the office. Lesson learned crying wearing goggles bad idea


2013-02-13 3:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Is it common, yes. Do I do it, no but once I establish my position at the front I hit my fall in pace and it feels easier.
2013-02-14 5:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?

iruptacopula - 2013-02-13 3:21 PM For OWS I now try to start off at a slower pace, try to remain calm and work my way into nice smooth stroke. First couple of OWS I started out to fast, heart rate shot up (maybe a little bit of panic) and struggled with the rest of the swim.

This ^^^^^^^  is exactly what happened to me and what I do now.  If during the swim I notice that I am starting to get a little short of breath, then I: 1. slow down my arm cycle rate.  2. focus on my form. 3.  focus on breathing or change my breathing to a breath every right arm up. 4. Generally all of this thought pattern change enables me to "just keep swimming, just keep swimmingLaughing"

2013-02-14 7:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
I am a very new swimmer. Like, started last year new. I don't switch up when I feel tired or panicked, I just slow down and re-establish my rhythm. That's what my swim instructor taught me. "Slooooowwww doooowwwn... relaaaaaaax". A few weeks ago I made the mistake of shooting out with a crowd that was way faster than me. Felt the lungs and heart starting to trip out. I just pulled back and found my comfy training pace till everything was in sync again. Then as I got more warmed up, I was able to pick up the pace again.
2013-02-14 8:11 AM
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Subject: RE: Do you rest during the swim leg?
Yes, of course. I sidestroke some to breathe if necessary.
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