Here is another question: why are people swimming in a triathlon when they aren't strong swimmers to begin with? I'm not talking about being slow, I'm talking about weak swimmers.
I was going to ask this as well but was afraid of getting slammed. I get that shit happens and anyone can get into trouble but I have seen swimmers who are woefully unprepared for the swim. Especially open water. Every race I am at it seems I come across swimmers desperately holding on to the buoys.
Dh and I were talking about it last night and he brought up a good point. He and I are good swimmers. We take off and are ahead of our pack so we don't get caught up in the masses. The only time I really get in a group is when I come up on the next wave. I might be inclined to panic too if was in the middle of a group like that getting kicked and not able to swim properly.
At our last race a swimmer apparently panicked or got tired and flipped over to do the backstroke....and promptly started swimming perpendicular to the course. A kayak came over, set them in the right direction.....and the swimmer did it again.
I agree that people underestimate the swim, & many first-timers are not prepared to swim in a tri. OWS & even pool swims in a tri are another animal. I do think that even strong swimmers can have panicky moments, though.
I was a competitive swimmer for many years (though not at the collegiate level). My first tri was only a pool swim, and when I came up on a man to pass him, he started breaststroking and kicked me really hard in the chest. I took in a ton of water & spent the next 25 meters coughing & trying to regain some kind of rhythm. I'm a good swimmer, but I still panicked a bit. You can't convince me that just because of that, I'm not a strong enough swimmer to compete in a tri. I'm thankful I didn't need any help, but I can see how a situation could occur where I would.
Post by foundmylazybum on Jun 20, 2012 11:32:15 GMT -5
What's the situation? Like are they drowning? I would probably help...but in a lot of situations honestly..I'd keep going...I have no problem asking if someone is okay if they fell or whatever but I think it's up to the person to tell ME if they need help rather than me just offer up my services...
Example: Two years ago in a 5K I fell HARD on a wet bridge--I was in the front pack and there I was, sprawled out, knees, hands and FACE scraped up.
Some other runners wanted to stop and help me and I was like 'dudes PLEASE continue on with your races! I'm fine, I'm fine!"
I realize I wasn't yelling out for help, but I probably looked like I needed it. That being said, what I wanted was to wallow in my own horror and let the other racers not have their run ruined.
People can get injured no matter how well-trained they are -- I have been swimming for years, since middle school, and was a recruited college athlete. I once had an asthma attack in the water and had to be rescued. It can happen to anyone. I have seen people get horrible cramps that make them unable to stay afloat easily, sudden breathing problems, other medical emergencies, which mean that all the strength and training in the world just won't matter.
thats not what I'm talking about. I'm talk about weak, underprepared swimmers.
I would chalk it up to race day panic. I've never done a tri and don't plan to, but from blog recaps I've read, it's really easy to choke up in the water and freak out, even if you've trained appropriately. I know I've run races where I've just clammed up at the start and had a shit-fest of a performance because of it. I can't imagine doing that in the water, where the consequences could be much more severe.
I'm not a great athlete by any means but tri sprints are a great way to learn. I stayed at the back of the pack for my sprints and felt better swimming on the edges of the pack.
Level of comfort in the water is key. All my body fat = I float well.
Here is another question: why are people swimming in a triathlon when they aren't strong swimmers to begin with? I'm not talking about being slow, I'm talking about weak swimmers.
Really?? Only "strong swimmers" should compete in tris? Unless they're lifelong swimmers, very few people are fully prepared for the OWS in a tri. They get better with practice, and more triathlons. Support from more seasoned athletes helps too.
thats not what I'm talking about. I'm talk about weak, underprepared swimmers.
I would chalk it up to race day panic. I've never done a tri and don't plan to, but from blog recaps I've read, it's really easy to choke up in the water and freak out, even if you've trained appropriately. I know I've run races where I've just clammed up at the start and had a shit-fest of a performance because of it. I can't imagine doing that in the water, where the consequences could be much more severe.
I panicked so badly so I just slowed down, stayed the f away from people churning by me and flipped on my back to calm down. Yea I was close to last but it went soooo much better the next time! I think pride forces people sometimes to keep pushing while they are swallowing water - or - they simply can't swim or float. My DH literally cannot float! It amazes me.
What's the situation? Like are they drowning? I would probably help...but in a lot of situations honestly..I'd keep going...I have no problem asking if someone is okay if they fell or whatever but I think it's up to the person to tell ME if they need help rather than me just offer up my services...
Example: Two years ago in a 5K I fell HARD on a wet bridge--I was in the front pack and there I was, sprawled out, knees, hands and FACE scraped up.
Some other runners wanted to stop and help me and I was like 'dudes PLEASE continue on with your races! I'm fine, I'm fine!" I realize I wasn't yelling out for help, but I probably looked like I needed it. That being said, what I wanted was to wallow in my own horror and let the other racers not have their run ruined.
Well that's totally understandable and I think pretty decent of them. The general concern and basic human decency is there. I would have side eyed them if they just jumped over you sprawled out on the ground and never looked back, but they checked and saw you were ok. I would have preferred to wallow in the horror on my own as well. lol
Here is another question: why are people swimming in a triathlon when they aren't strong swimmers to begin with? I'm not talking about being slow, I'm talking about weak swimmers.
Really?? Only "strong swimmers" should compete in tris? Unless they're lifelong swimmers, very few people are fully prepared for the OWS in a tri. They get better with practice, and more triathlons. Support from more seasoned athletes helps too.
Not what I said. You need to be prepared. I've swam all my life too, and I still get panicky. But I practice, and practice and practice! One should be PREPARED to swim in open water prior to race day.
Here is another question: why are people swimming in a triathlon when they aren't strong swimmers to begin with? I'm not talking about being slow, I'm talking about weak swimmers.
Really?? Only "strong swimmers" should compete in tris? Unless they're lifelong swimmers, very few people are fully prepared for the OWS in a tri. They get better with practice, and more triathlons. Support from more seasoned athletes helps too.
There's a big gap between the "true" strong swimmers and people who really shouldn't be in tris. I didn't start swimming until I wanted to do my first tri when I was 19. I made sure I was ready (including several open water practice swims) before I even tried racing. I've seen plenty of people that clearly aren't prepared to be in the water and that is hugely irresponsible on their part.