Swimming in triathlon

Probably the biggest problem child of most Triathletes — swimming. Most athletes who come into contact with triathlon later have the greatest difficulties in swimming.

As a triathlete, swimming is a bit more complex than simply covering the corresponding distance for various reasons.

In triathlon, swimming usually takes place in open water. That means you are swimming in an open body of water — usually in lakes or in the ocean. In addition, materials and racing dynamics present particular challenges.

Like you your Optimize swimming training for triathlon We will explain this to you in this article.

‍

{{cta}}

‍

Orientation in open water

You must find your way around open water. Since these are usually cloudy and possibly wavy in triathlon, you have to get your head above water at regular intervals to orient yourself.

This can upset the rhythm of crawl swimming and should definitely be practiced beforehand in training.

It helps to incorporate regular exercises such as water polo into your swimming training. Here, you swim with your head over water for a certain distance.

In order to learn the right rhythm, it's a good idea to find out what you're better off with. For most triathletes, however, it is ideal to raise your head over water together with your arm after breathing to the side.

‍

Swimming in triathlon is a contact sport

The Start swimming in triathlon It's often a bit messy. All starters want to get to the first buoy as quickly as possible so as not to waste any time.

You should prepare yourself mentally for this situation in order to avoid anxiety or panic while swimming. Here is our tip to do more than just complete your main race. This ensures that you already know the triathlon process.

You should definitely be aware that this is about being assertive.

‍

{{expiration}}

‍

Swimming for triathletes — A technical challenge

In swimming, the technical execution of the movement clearly takes precedence over your physical fitness. This is due to the fact that water has a significantly higher density than air. Small mistakes in swimming technique can therefore really make your life difficult in triathlon.

Unfortunately, the only thing that helps here is practice, practice.

Motor processes take a long time before they run automatically and in a relaxed manner. That can be really frustrating.

Just as triathlon beginners You should try not to cover too long distances in one go while swimming. It is highly likely that you do not yet have the specific strength to maintain clean technology over longer distances.

Our specific tip would therefore be to keep your swimming sessions rather short, keep the weekly frequency high and also swim short distances with short breaks in individual sessions.

‍

Test your equipment

Many triathlons involve swimming with wetsuits. This is related to water temperature. Swimming with a wetsuit feels a bit different than swimming without and the fabric in the shoulder area increases the load on the shoulders.

Switching to the bike after swimming is also a bit different with Neo. These suits are ideally very tight and it may take some practice to take them off under stress.

‍

{{testimonial}}

‍

Video recordings to improve your swimming technique

It helps immensely to improve your technique if you get objective feedback or even take a look at your own swimming technique for yourself.

Triathletes often think they are doing a swimming movement correctly and efficiently. There is usually still room for improvement from outside.

‍

Prioritize swimming as a triathlete

It may not be fun for you and it accounts for a fairly small proportion of competition time. Still, you should, just as triathlon beginners, lots of time and energy in your swimming training invest.

If you swim faster, you can stay out of the scuffle at the start of the triathlon and save energy.

This pays off in your performance on the bike as well as when running.

If you follow these tips and stay consistent in your training, nothing stands in the way of a good swim time at your next triathlon. With the right technique, swimming will also be fun at some point, I promise.