Tri / Triathlon / Triathlons - do they float your boat?

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Sainsburys_Ed
what are you looking for tips/advice around?
1. if you aren't a great swimmer or aren't confident in a pack position to the back and outside of the group, its better to have a clear calm swim and swim a few more meters than getting involved in the mêlée of a big swim and being in the wrong place within it.
2. practice all the elements (especially transitions) before and keep it simple, don't give yourself choices like multiple tops, bottoms, shoes, sock etc. (you'll only waste time trying to make the choices), and don't try anything new on the day, especially things like flying mounts or dismounts or running with no socks, if you practice before then go for it, but it is most likely to end in tears if you haven't and it goes wrong!
3. make sure you enjoy it!

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LeChef in reply to @Sainsburys_Ed

All very helpful, thanks.

I think my main worry is the swim. I'm a good swimmer in the pool, always have been, but I don't have any experience in open water. I went out with my local sea swimming club on Friday and it was mental, without doubt one of the most disorientating things I've ever done. I guess it's something that comes with experience, and i just have to keep at it. It was fun though, in a life threateningly enjoyable way.
The transitions are an unknown as well for sure. I'm doing cycling to running work outs and trying to practice swapping over, but i've not tried swimming to cycling yet.

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rhb in reply to @LeChef

sea swimming

Weirds me out, even when millpool calm at Sidmouth last year I was having panic attacks, mostly cos I was out there solo and there's no lifeguard there, albeit the dude from Jurassic Paddles does keep an eye out.

Takes lots of practice. Good to swim practice with others who'll stick with you thru any panic moments.
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Sainsburys_Ed in reply to @LeChef

sea swimming is an order of magnitude harder than lake or river swimming, as there are so many more factors at play, ideally you'd progress through them and build your confidence up, when its choppy try to reflect that in your stroke (i.e. shorten your stroke and don't try and glide) and pick fixed points to swim towards (ideally on land) and look frequently, it also helps if you are able to breath away from the oncoming swell as you are less likely to end up with a mouthful of water than air that way around!

As a stronger a swimmer I love it when its rough as it gives a much bigger penalty to those who get through the swim to bike/run!

Pick if the water the day before the ETU middle distance champs in 2015, I was one of very few people practicing while everyone else was campaigning for a cancelled swim!

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