| How do I train for the swimming portion of a triathlon?

How do I train for the swimming portion of a triathlon?

Jenilyn asked:


I am trying to train for my first sprint triathlon and am very weak in the swimming portion of it. I can not even complete 50yards without stopping to rest. How do I possibly increase that and is it possible? It seems unreachable at this point.

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Comments

4 Responses to “How do I train for the swimming portion of a triathlon?”

  1. tim l on April 11th, 2009 3:30 am

    try doing your strokes for long periods of time slowly and work your way to faster strokes

    if you have a decent amount of time from now til the triathalon

  2. Lauren S on April 13th, 2009 12:59 pm

    Not quite sure.Did you ask the coach?

  3. rwd on April 14th, 2009 4:58 am

    Your best bet is to find a Masters Swimming program near you. (The word “masters” doesn’t mean you have to be a master in the sport — it just means you’re over 18.) That way you can get coached on technique and get emotional support as well.
    Don’t be embarrased — there have been plenty of people in your position. A typical masters swimming group runs the complete spectrum of swim experience — including land-lubber triathletes.

    Proper technique is paramount! The highest levels of fitness will not help you if your technique is poor. If you can’t find a masters swimming group, find someone who can give you lessons. Don’t bother re-inforcing bad habits until you get coaching.

  4. sksnumber1 on April 16th, 2009 1:50 am

    I’m in the exact same position as you - training for my first sprint tri and swimming is my weakness…or should I say FREESTYLE is my weakness. I can do breaststroke for 1100m+. I’ve asked a couple of friends who have done sprint tris about the swim portion and all agreed…you can do WHATEVER stroke you need to do, to get to the end. One friend even freaked out when the race started, with all the kicking and splashing and ended up doing backstroke the entire way (which I wouldn’t recommend since she went WAY off course since she didn’t know where she was going). SO, my advice would be, like one person said, do a Master’s clinic (which I’ll be doing) and then see if you can do the distance with an “easier” stroke and once you know you can do the distance in your best stroke, then work on free. And don’t worry about the speed for now, just worry about distance. If you need, start by swimming 100, then 200, then 400 and within a couple weeks, 1000 should be no problem (and since most sprints are 750, if you can do 1000 then you will have confidence that you can swim the distance). Also, try doing some open water swims (if the swim portion is not in a pool) as it is very different and slower than pool swimming.