TriathaNewbie.com: Struggling with the Triathlon Swim

Swim - Bike - Run - Race Day - Tracking Progress - Events - Great Resources - FAQ - Contact - Home


Struggling with the Triathlon Swim i am training for a sprint triathlon the swin is .25 im 46 yo and never swam i just started 2 months ago , i was breathing wrong and was corrected nowi breath correctly and my stroke is improving i have a muscular upper body my problem is , is that i can't last more than laps without taking a break and then continue doing breaststroke for about 7 more laps after a minute break how can i last longer its depressing seeing everyone doing laps and i keep stoping its june and the tri is mid august please help Gary from Rhode Island --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Gary, Thank you for contacting TriathNewbie.com! Having been a swim coach for many years, the best advice I can give you is to ask a local swim coach to watch you swim and give you advice. Identifying stroke problems over email is like a doctor trying to figure out why you are sick over email. It's very hard to diagnose the cause without seeing you in person. That said, I can give you a few tips that will hopefully point you in the right direction: Make sure your toes are pointed, your legs are straight/about 6 inches apart and you are getting full extension and glide in your stroke. If you are taking many more strokes than the people you are watching, you need to take less and glide more. Relax – A tense body does not float well. My guess is that you are all upper-body and you're not balancing the stroke so that your legs and core muscles are chipping in. If you find that your legs are sinking try this: Pretend your body is a see-saw and the middle of the see-saw is your groin. Try to balance your body so that you have the sensation of swimming slightly downhill. Personally, one thing that REALLY made a difference in my stroke was this book and the DVD that goes with it: Triathlon Swimming Made Easy: The Total Immersion Way for Anyone to Master Open-Water Swimming. Terry Laughlin does a fantastic job at teaching a relaxed stroke that can keep you going for miles. We hope that these tips are helpful and look forward to hearing back from you after your race. Be well, Niki Niki Jamieson TriathaNewbie.com
		Exciting News: TriathaNewbie.com featured in Triathlete Magazine as "Your one stop shop for beginner triathletes". Check it out! Swim - Get the low-down on wetsuits and swim suits, find info on safe water workouts and read tips for training and events. Bike -Learn how to structure bike workouts, find safety tips and read recommendations on great bike gear. Run - Get the ultimate skinny on running sneakers, running gear, safety tips and much more. Transitions are the times between the swim and bike and the bike and run. Any time you are in the transition area, you need to know how to get through it without wasting time. Here are some suggestions: Setting Up Your Transition Spot Triathlon Swim Transition (T1) Triathlon Bike Transition (T2) Triathlon Run Transition - There is no Run Transition, just a Finish Line! Race Day Preparation The Sweat Test Triathlon Race Day Checklist Find a Mini-Triathlon Event Mini-Triathlon FAQ Triathlon Race Day Swim Cap Troubles? Need to Change a Flat? Dealing with Blisters? Indoor Triathlon Swim (video) How to Avoid A Frightening Start: Think Out of the Pack (video)

There are NEWBIES Starting Triathlons Every Day. Today Just Happens to be YOUR day!

TRIATHLON QUESTIONS

TRIATHLON EVENTS

GENERAL TRI STUFF

Traithlon Swim: Safety First - Because of my body type I sink instead of float. Should I invest in a wetsuit so I can be able to swim longer?

Water Shoes in a Triathlon - I'm a 44 year old female runner venturing to compete in my first triathlon.Here's a dumb question-in the swim portion can you wear water shoes??

First Triathlon Story - I am an ex-high school/college athlete, in the 35-40 category, two kids, and I just finished my first triathlon two day ago, it was amazing!

Trisuits - I'm a real newbie - only 14 years old, and I wanted to know what tri suits were meant to be worn for? Do you wear them for all three legs?

Nutrition and Triathlon - I need advice on diet and what to eat. I signed up for my first Sprint Tri September 11th.

Bike and Swim Questions from a Newbie - I would like to start training for my first mini-triathlon. I'm a real beginner, and I have 2 questions.

Best Triathlon Bike for a First-Timer - I am trying to help my husband be successful in his first mini-triathalon. What kind of Treks or Raleigh bike should we be looking at? Please help.

Pine Barrens Sports & Timing - Olympic Distance Triathlon in New Jersey

Rave Reviews on the Honolulu Triathlon - My first sprint triathalon was the Honolulu Triathalon. It was a great first race to enter.

DRC Sports Triathlon Race Calendar, Florida - There is something for everyone here.

v3 Multisport - Bike Q & A - June 8, 2010 - Come get your questions answered and learn from experienced Triathletes:

Arizona Triathlons - I am having some trouble finding options in the Western part of the US and would like to know if you could direct me to some specific first mini triathlons and/or websites.

Kingdom Triathlon - Register today, last year's event filled up! An afternoon of Swimming, Cycling and Running for Casual Athletes, Families and serious Triathletes. Adults and children � ages 10 and up � can join in the fun by competing individually or as a team.

Suggestions on Trainnig Guides for Brand New Beginners - Do yuo have any suggestions on trainnig guides for brand new beginners, or groups in Peoria AZ?

Blackhawk Triathlon - Wisconsin short and long distance triathlons

My "First Triathlon" Story - Can't Wait for the Next One! Though I didn't bring home any medals, I felt proud of myself. and cannot wait till next one in coming in 45 days. now I just need to learn to swim faster.

Enhancing Metabolism Through The Power of Breath - Did you know that you could control your stress levels as well as achieve your ideal weight by simply learning to breathe deeply?

"Outside the Box", A Total Immersion Program for Success in Open Water by Terry Laughlin - This book is a great tool for those of you who plan to compete in your first open water swim. It gives some GREAT tips that will get you swimming more efficiently with less wasted energy. They recently sent us an exceprt of the book for you to preview.

Follow Lainey while she trains for her first triathlon - Entries 1-6

Breaking The 100 Year Diet Cycle Article - In modern-day culture, being healthy is commonly associated with dieting. This is somewhat ironic since most diets leave us starved emotionally or physically. How did we come to believe that struggle and deprivation equal vitality and health?