Newbies OW swim & transition practice

[JenCollister]

I know that many of you are doing the Cleveland triathlon on July 17 as your first or second triathlon ever. If you are at all like I was, you are a little nervous about the race. Two of the biggest unknowns for a first triathlon are open water swimming and transitioning, so let's get together to practice both.

Meet me at the Huntington Beach south parking lot (the one furthest from the lake) at 6:30 pm on Thursday, July 14. Directions to Huntington are at www.clevetriclub.com/training.html. If you miss us at the parking lot, then meet us on the beach. For the swim, bring a brightly colored swim cap (I will have extras just in case) and your goggles. If you have a wetsuit and intend to wear it, bring it too. Only bring to the beach what you would bring if you were in a real triathlon, because we will be running out of the water and back to the parking lot. I will have Bodyglide for the wetsuits.

Once there, we will practice transitions. Definitely bring all that you plan to bring to the transition area (e.g., applicable biking or running clothing, hat, helmet, sunglasses, socks, shoes, towel, water bottles etc.) Bring your bike only if you are okay with leaving it unguarded during the swim. You can use mine to practice with if you don't feel secure leaving it. We won't actually be riding it.

Both new and experienced triathletes are welcome to join in on the fun and you don't have to be racing the Cleveland triathlon to join us.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at [e-mail].

Hope to see you there!

Jen

[oulobo]

Just wanted to say I'll be there for my first open water experience, and I'm borrowing my bro's grocery getter. We are taking the seats out , so I can store a few bikes inside if people wanted to being them but don't want to leave them on a rack and you don't mind it sitting next to my POS.

[JenCollister]

Just a quick reminder about this Thursday's newbies swim and transitions practice. Even if you aren't a newbie, you are welcome to join us...the more the merrier!

[JenCollister]

Tonight's the night for transitions and open water practice. Hopefully, the weather cooperates. If it is storming (lightening and such), I'll still be there. We can always go over to a local coffee shop to talk through transitioning and any other questions you may have. Hope to see you tonight!

[erinj]

jen, can you give a little more specific directions for the meeting spot?...i have never been to this area and don't know if it's one of those places that has five parking lots within one mile or if it's a clearcut location...i assume it's right off of lake ave?

[JenCollister]

Hi Erin,

You are right that it is right off of Lake Avenue. Take 90 West to Columbia Road. Go north on Columbia Road. Take a left (go west) onto Lake. I believe it is the next light after passing Dover Center. Take a left at the light into the Huntington Beach parking lot. Park near the bathroom building. There should be a good number of us, so look for the gathering of triathlon types.

Call me on my cell if you get lost.

Jen

[oulobo]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the pointers and say it was glad to meet everyone. Even if the weather wasn't great, the swim was still fun and gave me a good chunk of confidence about the water.

[JenCollister]

Last night's event did not go as planned thanks to mother nature, but I think it still went well.

Thanks to all of you for braving the stormy night to come out to Huntington Beach! The turnout was fantastic and you all had so many good questions. Some of us did swim after the weather calmed down. The lake was a little grimy, but not too choppy.

If you missed the open water practice and feel the need to get some in before the race this weekend, please join Suzi and me for a short open water swim at Columbia Park at 10 am tomorrow. We'll only be going for 10-20 minutes just so you can get to practice in the open water and in a wetsuit, if applicable. The goal is to swim slowly and not get tired out for the race the next day. Suzi and I are doing that race too.

I look forward to seeing all the CTC members at the race on Sunday! Good luck! ;D

Jen

[fcousin]

Hi,
I ran my first triathlon last Sunday (Cleveland Triathlon-Olympic distance). Although I didn't rank too well, I had a great time.
I need some recommendations regarding the swim part. Although I am a decent swimmer, I did terrible at swimming. When the horn was blown, I started swimming like I practiced. Unfortunately, I found myself totally out of track. I ended up way out of line with the first buoy. I lost some valuable time and energy correcting my bearing. I also felt disoriented by this episode.
Does anybody have some recommendations or exercises I could put in practice to improve my swim in open water ? I guess this is what makes the difference between swimming in a pool and in open waters.
I am planning on running the sprint at the Greater Cleveland Triathlon end of August. Hopefully, I will have all this corrected by then.
Thanks a lot,
Fred

[Angie]

Fred-
The best exercise for open water swimming is open water swimming. Try to come to as many of our workouts as you can. We have them mon, tues and wed night. At columbia park on wed night, we practice sighting in the water. If you have a tendency to pull one way while you are swimming... (do you breath on the side that you pull towards?).. then you can practice bilateral breathing to even out your stroke. If you come to the wed swim, I can give you some personal pointers. The pool is not the same but you can also practice sighting in the pool. Put a water bottle at one end, close your eyes while your head is in the water and when you pull your head out to sight... look for the water bottle. Hope to see you soon. ANGIE

[fcousin]

Hi Angie,

Thanks a lot for the pointers.
Yes...I am breathing on the side I am pulling towards.
Unfortunately, I work out of town and can not attend most of the group training (otherwise I would...trust me). Being at home Friday's, Saturday's and Sunday's does not give me much opportunities.
I will try some of your pointers and maybe try some open water swim on my own.
Thanks,
Fred

[andrewjoyce]

Fred

Don't want to sound like a pain in the proverbial - but please don't do any open water swimming alone.

Grab a partner, friend, spouse or anyone that would be happy to swim with you ideally - or - sit on the beach and keep an eye out for you.

Where do you live?

[fcousin]

I live in Lakewood.
I know it is not recommended to swim alone. I might ask my wife to come along (although she is not much of a swimmer).
Maybe I'll just stick to the swimming pool...

[Angie]

I live in lakewood too. I would be willing to get together with you on the weekend. We can swim at columbia park. I am sure that we can find others also. Sat would be best for me since I usually race on sun. The next two weekends are busy for me but I am available in august. I bet that if you post something on the forum, you will get at least 1 person willing to meet you. Hope to see you soon. ANGIE

[fcousin]

Angie,

That sounds like a plan. I really appreciate your help.
It was my first triathlon but I am afraid it was enough to get me addicted. I ran the past two marathons and was looking for something diversified. And there I am.
I will get in touch with you in August then, to try to get together.

Fred
PS: is the Cleveland Triathlon Club web site the best place to find a list of triathlons in Ohio ?

[CHUCK M]

Try www.trifind.com for races out of the area.