One swim drill that made a world of difference for me (pool or open water) is the Exhaustion/recovery drill - You swim 100-200 meters hard (so that you're really needing oxygen), then you continue swimming another 200 meters working to recover yourself, your breathing, your stroke, etc... It was exactly what I needed to simulate the high energy, high heartrate, probably starting too quick on race day and be able to have a really good and confident swim.
@@loolapalooza6429 I did, I swear! Just with prerace jitters and not as much open water time as I should have had, ( oh and swimming around everyone who exaggerates their swim times:) things blew up pretty quick.
Thanks Heather & GTN! I've just signed up for my first sprint triathlon. I'm comfortable with the ride and run, but the swim - that's a whole different story. Subscribed to the channel to keep up with all the tips and advice!
I only did one triathlon but here are my tips for beginners that want to complete the swim rather than getting a great time: Start at the back of the group but in front of people that seem to be unfit. Start slower and overtake people that are in front of you, this gives you a good feeling. Stay relaxed and focus on your breathing. Try to find a swimmer that you can draft from while you are not at hard effort. Once you feel comfortable and you know that you have enough power left, increase your speed. At the very end of the swim: move your legs faster, this way they might not feel completely wobbly when you get out of the water ;)
I always start at the side of the group. It helps me find a good position when the group is stretched apart. I use a water polo swimming technique in the beginning when it is busy. That way I can see better. Above all, don't panic! And look for holes.
Great video. Swim start is definatly something I need to practice more. Had a horrendous start at Holkham, struggled with breathing. Had to stop, get my breath, splash face into water then set off again.
I think most important is your mindset. Don't be afraid of the start. Don't overpace. Don't panic. In the last seconds before the start try to embrace the situation and say to yourself: This is awesome! Let's enjoy it!
@@gtn Nothing beats experience. Do some small triathlons just for fun to prepare for the important one. And watch some gtn videos with those precious tips on swimming ;-)
I had my very first open water start as a relay swimmer this year in Roth. I was actually quite well prepared, had watched some tips and tricks videos, open water sessions etc.. But as a pool swimmer I had no mass start experience. And so the first 400m were hell. I was too friendly with the slower swimmers in front of me and missed the faster ones. Due to the unaccustomed constant body contact, I actually just wanted to get out. But since there were swimmers everywhere on the left and right, it only went straight ahead. From 400m I had found my rhythm, and from then on it was ok. At the 1500m turnaround there was again a lot of body contact, and after that I was "alone" and could overtake some swimmers. Unfortunately we were the last relay team, so there was no faster swimmer to draft from behind. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and I now know what to expect next time. My tip would be, to have at least one similar trial race before.
Yes I got my swim start wrong. I know I'm a slow swimmer so should have been to the side. Also the race jitters hit and could not calm down until 400 meters. I have practiced a lot on my sighting techniques so that is better. Also staying calm in water. Hopefully the next one on July 29, 2023 goes better. I did end up first in my age group by 7 minutes so happy on that.
What are your race start tips? 🤔
One swim drill that made a world of difference for me (pool or open water) is the Exhaustion/recovery drill - You swim 100-200 meters hard (so that you're really needing oxygen), then you continue swimming another 200 meters working to recover yourself, your breathing, your stroke, etc... It was exactly what I needed to simulate the high energy, high heartrate, probably starting too quick on race day and be able to have a really good and confident swim.
Start slow 😂
@@loolapalooza6429 I did, I swear! Just with prerace jitters and not as much open water time as I should have had, ( oh and swimming around everyone who exaggerates their swim times:) things blew up pretty quick.
Thanks Heather & GTN! I've just signed up for my first sprint triathlon. I'm comfortable with the ride and run, but the swim - that's a whole different story. Subscribed to the channel to keep up with all the tips and advice!
I only did one triathlon but here are my tips for beginners that want to complete the swim rather than getting a great time:
Start at the back of the group but in front of people that seem to be unfit.
Start slower and overtake people that are in front of you, this gives you a good feeling.
Stay relaxed and focus on your breathing.
Try to find a swimmer that you can draft from while you are not at hard effort.
Once you feel comfortable and you know that you have enough power left, increase your speed.
At the very end of the swim: move your legs faster, this way they might not feel completely wobbly when you get out of the water ;)
Thanks Heather. Helpful
I always start at the side of the group. It helps me find a good position when the group is stretched apart. I use a water polo swimming technique in the beginning when it is busy. That way I can see better. Above all, don't panic! And look for holes.
Most important: do not panic and do not get stressed about people hitting you
Great video. Swim start is definatly something I need to practice more. Had a horrendous start at Holkham, struggled with breathing. Had to stop, get my breath, splash face into water then set off again.
I think most important is your mindset. Don't be afraid of the start. Don't overpace. Don't panic.
In the last seconds before the start try to embrace the situation and say to yourself: This is awesome! Let's enjoy it!
Great tips! Mental fitness is super important 🙌 How do you work on your mental health before races?
@@gtn Nothing beats experience. Do some small triathlons just for fun to prepare for the important one. And watch some gtn videos with those precious tips on swimming ;-)
I had my very first open water start as a relay swimmer this year in Roth.
I was actually quite well prepared, had watched some tips and tricks videos, open water sessions etc..
But as a pool swimmer I had no mass start experience. And so the first 400m were hell. I was too friendly with the slower swimmers in front of me and missed the faster ones.
Due to the unaccustomed constant body contact, I actually just wanted to get out. But since there were swimmers everywhere on the left and right, it only went straight ahead.
From 400m I had found my rhythm, and from then on it was ok.
At the 1500m turnaround there was again a lot of body contact, and after that I was "alone" and could overtake some swimmers. Unfortunately we were the last relay team, so there was no faster swimmer to draft from behind.
Nevertheless, it was a great experience and I now know what to expect next time.
My tip would be, to have at least one similar trial race before.
Thanks for sharing your race day story! Sounds like you learnt a lot, have you got your next race booked? 👀
@@gtn Yes, my relay partner was able to obtain a ticket for Roth 2024. 🫣
Yes I got my swim start wrong. I know I'm a slow swimmer so should have been to the side. Also the race jitters hit and could not calm down until 400 meters. I have practiced a lot on my sighting techniques so that is better. Also staying calm in water. Hopefully the next one on July 29, 2023 goes better. I did end up first in my age group by 7 minutes so happy on that.
@SBoots29 I hope today went well for you!
Off to the pool I go!
Practice practice practice 🙌
She looks like mermaid 🧜♀️
I always love watching heather on this GTN videos. She my favorite no offense GTN members you guys are cool also.
Heather always smashes it! The other won't take it personally 😉