Triatlon

Question
Hello Greame!

I want to start participating in triathlon races, I've been a MTB cyclist for a while and also participated in adventure races for several years, but now I want to start in triatlon. I think I have figured out the running and the bicycle training but I'm having a hard time with the swimming. Where can I find swimming trainings for triathlon?.

Thanks!!!

Alfonso


Answer
Alfonso,

Great call.  I switched over from MTB racing, too, a number of years ago.  Just like you, my weak leg is the swim.  In order to catch up on the technique aspect, which is the most important part of swimming, I did several things.

1. I looked at two swim training systems, Total Immersion and Swim Smooth (all you have to do is Google them, you will have no problem finding them).  Both are excellent.  I ultimately went with Swim Smooth, because I prefer its triathlon/open water swimming orientation.  With the Swim Smooth DVD set, I got a CD with 75 different progressively more difficult swim workouts.  I still haven't done them all.

2.  I went down to the pool and joined the local Masters Swim Team.  With the membership you get all the coaching you can stand, and very often a large percentage of the swimmers at the practices are actually triathletes (joining a Masters Swim Team is no secret amongst triathletes).

3.  Other than these two, there are TONS of freestyle, long distance swim workouts online.  Just look for open water or long distance swimming aficionado sites or go to the Slowtwitch.com triathlete forum and search for "swim workouts."

There's a start, anyway.  Let me know if you need more answers.

Graeme