Taking on the Swim

   Many times I have heard people say that what has kept them from doing a triathlon is the swim portion. Even my own brother, who is an amazing swimmer, has said that he simply doesn't have the time to incorporate swimming into his workout. I would encourage anyone to incorporate swimming into their workout because of the low impact nature of the sport. Even if you never want to do a triathlon, swimming is wonderful exercise that you can participate in for life. This post is dedicated to swim tips for the triathlete and the beginner who may want to try a, "tri," but may be apprehensive because of the swim portion of the race.

     The best way to get involved in a triathlon is to sign up for a pool swim tri. There are many out there and now that the sport is getting more popular, I'm confident that you could find one in your town or surrounding area. The YMCA is a great place to start. Many of the local Y's are offering pool swim triathlons. The YMCA of the West Shore in Camp Hill, PA is currently offering a class where they will train you to do a sprint triathlon. Group exercise is often helpful if you have trouble motivating yourself. Their course ends with the class participating in a real triathlon.

     One of the fears people often have is swimming in open water. How many times have I heard, “I don't know how you get in the water with that many people? Doesn't it freak you out?" That is why a pool swim is helpful if you've never done an open water swim. The pool swim triathlon requires that participants submit a time for the distance being covered. Once the administrators of the race receive your time they can group participants; that way you'll be with swimmers close or even a little slower than your own ability. One word of warning; people do lie on their time submission so you still have to be careful and watch for others around you. I once had a guy behind me that was practically on top of me after the first lap of the swim. I simply moved over in my lane and let him pass me; this is much easier to do in a pool than in open water.

      Exiting a pool is a little easier than exiting from a rocky river or lake. Two years ago I witnessed an athlete cutting his foot on a rock as he exited the river. Chances of a cutting your foot at a pool are less.

      A pool swim is also a little less intimidating because you can see the bottom of what you are swimming in, it's easier to see where you are going, and the swim distance is usually shorter than it would be in open water. The race will be set up inside a natatorium (sometimes outside) where you will line up according to your time. When it is time to swim you get in the water and someone will start you (another advantage- a standing start versus a diving start). Someone will be in front of you and someone will be behind you, but there is usually a pause of around ten seconds in between participants, so while you are swimming with others around you, it is a more controlled environment.       

     Another advantage is the pool will probably be heated so you won't need a wetsuit. The water temperatures in lakes, oceans, and rivers always vary, so sometimes a wetsuit is needed. While some triathletes swear that they can't live without a wetsuit because of added buoyancy, I feel that the time gained by wearing a wetsuit is lost by trying to get out of it. Wetsuit lover or not, you won't need one for a pool swim.

     Practice makes perfect for any type of race including a pool swim triathlon. Get yourself to a pool and practice an," in water," start. Stand in the shallow end and push off of the wall under water.  "Streamline," off of the wall by putting your arms against your ears and stretching them out in front of you as far as you can. Don't forget to interlock your hands so that you resemble a torpedo. This will maximize the distance you travel off of the wall. By properly streamlining off of the wall you can travel further distances without even swimming, and for the non-swimmer this means saving energy.

       If you know how to flip turn I would highly recommend practicing your turns. Like streamlining off of the wall, flip turns (done properly) can place an efficient swimmer half way down the lane, saving you time and energy. Many pool swims that I've done have you flip turn, and then swim under the lane line to transition to the next lane in the pool. I would highly recommend practicing this, as it can be tricky, especially if you are already nervous. Ask around and find out how you will transition from one lane to the next and if it's legal to flip turn. If you don't know how to flip turn, I would suggest practicing a two handed touch on and off of the wall. You will be disqualified if you don't touch the wall upon turning.

     A pool swim triathlon is a great way to get your feet wet (I couldn't resist) if you are fearful of swimming in open water. The pool swim is also great for the child or teen who wants to try a triathlon. Pool swims are also really great for spectators, as they can stand around the pool and cheer you to the end. 

     I guarantee once you try a triathlon with a pool swim you'll be hooked, and then you'll gain the confidence to head to a lake, ocean, or river for an open water challenge.

Tri- On Friends,

Kelly

See the videos below from You Tube to learn more about streamlining and flipturns.

    

Tri- Husband

     Standing behind the scenes, taking video and pictures, and cheering loudly is my husband Mark. He has been my largest supporter of triathlon, and although he sometimes grumbles that he is surprised that I am still "at triathlon" after nine years, he is truly my biggest fan. He won't say so directly, but I've heard though the, “grapevine," that he has bragged to his friends about his" wife the triathlete" and her stats. This blog is dedicated to Mark for being a great tri- husband and a great husband in general.

     After sixteen years of marriage we have had ups and downs, highs and lows. We have two wonderful boys together, we have moved to different areas of the country together. We have built a life that I would say is pretty special. Is it perfect? Of course it's not. Anyone who claims they have the perfect marriage is lying. Marriage is hard work and when you are with someone day in and day out it can be a challenge sometimes, but in the end the commitment is worth it.

     When I started triathlon my boys were five and a year and a half.  I had to organize my training schedule around nap times and meal times. Thankfully, I had the YMCA to train at and I had Mark to help watch the boys. My husband knew how important triathlon had become to me after my first race in July of 2002.

      In the beginning, I had thought I would try "a" triathlon (singular). I had been a competitive swimmer and runner growing up. After college I had swum with a masters group to stay in shape and had begun to do some 5 and 10k races, nothing too serious. I always loved swimming and when I read about the new triathlon "craze" that had hit mainstream, I knew I had to try one. I knew that with my swimming I had an advantage over many of the runners. All I had to do was add cycling; piece of cake right?

     Long story short, I completed my first sprint triathlon donning a mountain bike and a camel back water container strapped to my back that weighed about ten pounds. When everyone on the bike portion of the race was passing me I wondered what in the world I was doing wrong. How could some of these people be passing me? I was a better athlete than that! And so began my love affair with triathlon.

     My husband and young boys greeted me at the finish line of Triangle Triathlon back in 2002 with hugs and cheers of, “go Mom!" My husband's first words were," Well you did it, bet you're glad it's over!" But the reality was it wasn't over because as I crossed the finish line, I was mad that other people had passed me on the bike, and I was already plotting my next strategy to do better.

     My first words were, “That was great and I need a new bike." My husband's response, “You want to do another?" "Yes, I'm signing up for next years," was my response. "I know I can do better on the bike!"

     My husband bought me a used road bike within the next couple of months after my first tri. "I figure you will tire of this, so let’s try a used bike first." When years later I told him about the new, lighter weight, faster, bikes, he said, “You are not slowing down are you?" For my fortieth birthday he got me a new Lemond road bike that I still have today. That was five years ago.

     Recently, a colleague of my husband’s said, “Don’t worry, she'll slow down once she hits forty." My husband said, “Really, she's turning forty five this year and she is signed up for four races this season."

     Through it all, Mark has rarely missed one of my events. If he has it has been because he was taking care of our kids or because they too had sporting events going on at the same time. I try very hard not to schedule my events when the kids have things because I hate to miss them. Usually the conflict comes up because I have to plan my season in January so I don't get closed out of events, and January is before their busy spring season of lacrosse. He never complains about being on the sidelines. He is always there for all of us; whether he is lugging gear, cheering, smiling or supporting, he is our rock.

     A few years ago, I had a stress fracture to my left tibia and couldn't run for about six months. When I was finally able to run again his response was, “That was longer for me than it was for you darling." He was glad when I could train and race again because it makes me a happier person. And you know the saying, “If Momma ain’t happy..."

    Don't misunderstand, Mark is not a pushover. He loves fishing, hunting, golf and the great outdoors, and partakes in those activities in between our family’s activities. I realize the importance for him to go and do these things, just as he gets why I “tri."  We both need our play time. The outlets we both have are healthy for our relationship.

     Now I have a blog about triathlon and Mark has become my editor. When I started the blog I think Mark was secretly thinking, thank god, now I don't have to hear her go on about it any longer.  "Could you please proof this," I'll plead." He is one of my faithful followers that reads what I have to write each week, and always follows with a, “Great one," or ,"Your best one yet," even though I know there are many other things he'd rather be reading or doing. When I say," I wish I was a famous writer," he responds by saying, “You are a writer Kelly." I love him for all of it.

     Triathlon has strengthened my marriage. The outlet it provides gives me courage and happiness to tackle whatever life's obstacles bring. I encourage you to find whatever outlets make you tick. 



Mark and Kelly at Beach to Battleship Triathlon 2011



Kelly