No place to swim.

[CastIron]

What to do?

I'd like to give the tri thing a try (as would my wife), but there's no place to swim nearby that doesn't involve a $100/month membership for a whole lot of stuff I don't need.

I'm looking at sprint distance events, so what do I do?

[longslow]

Have you checked out the local Master programs? I live close to Davis and DAM is less than $50.00 per month.
Swimming is all about balance and it is difficult to achieve balance without water.
For a sprint you could fake the swim. Rent an wet suit because it would provide lots of floation.

[ken cummings]

Is the Mississippi still frozen over? I wouldn't swim there either. Off the top of my head; see if there are any local tri clubs or promoters. Someone in your area must have solved the swimming problem by now.

[NickDavid]

Not sure if they have one by you, but a major gym that's scattered all over the place is Called L.A. Fitness. They have 1 here in jersey near me. $35 a month, 25meter pool, bball courts, tons of weights and all other stuff... I use the pool to swim laps daily... check out the site and see if there's one near you.

[Triguy]

Typically in the twin cities, high school pools have open swim times for $2-3 for lap swimming during non-school times. Also, a local YMCA membership is $58, or $38 if your health care insurer will reimburse you.

Macalester also has a masters swim program, though I don't know the charge. Search for " minnesota masters swim ".

[Plainsman]

If you're just looking to swmi for a couple of months ramping up to the events, I know the YMCAs where I live all offer month to month memberships, ususally around $45. Less if you are a student. If you don't swim much this might be the most challenging part.

[CastIron]

See that's just it. Everywhere I've looked it's sign-up for more monthly fees than I'm willing to pay. Schools, clubs, Y, you name it.

So how many of you don't train for the swim and just wing that part? I can swim, and reasonably well.

[Sponge]

have you checked with your local park district?

[Plainsman]

See that's just it. Everywhere I've looked it's sign-up for more monthly fees than I'm willing to pay. Schools, clubs, Y, you name it.

So how many of you don't train for the swim and just wing that part? I can swim, and reasonably well.

Well, take my advice with a big grain of salt as I'm a total newb, but I would say for a sprint distance if you are in decent shape and comfortable swimming you should be fine. The longest sprint swim I've seen around here is 750m in open water. Without practicing you probably won't be winning your age group, but looking back I could have easily finished my first on my baseline swim ability before I had started working on form and such.

Still, if it is at all possible to get in the water, even a lake, I would suggest doing so.

[Plainsman]

And to emphasize how big that grain of salt should be, when I say "looking back" I mean last week :) Just advice from one beginner to another.

[CastIron]

have you checked with your local park district?

Yes. Limited facilities. Perhaps a weekly option during summer is my best bet. Local lake beaches are free. And still covered in ice. Except the Mississippi, which is a sure death pretty much year round.

[CastIron]

And to emphasize how big that grain of salt should be, when I say "looking back" I mean last week :) Just advice from one beginner to another.

Fresh experience being the best advice available. I can appreciate that. A lot.

[slim_77]

If you don't swim much this might be the most challenging part.

right...I think training for the swim is vital. When I first started training the the pool I was killing myself because I didn' t have my stroke or breathing down correct, thus laps were exhausting.

It depends how familiar you are with the water...I used to be a lifeguard and swam regularly, but over the last 15 years on dry land I seem to have "lost" the little things that helped a ton. I was way over confident in my ability. Also, if you are not prepared for it and are left to struggle, then you have to do the cycling and running, it may ruin the whole experience...

[Drad On]

I'm in the same boat as you and also live in the Twin Cities. I say look for local "adult swim" hours at outdoor pools this summer and try to find a high school in the STP area that has lap swim hours.

Good luck - I'm in the same boat as you.

[Triguy]

I'm in the same boat as you and also live in the Twin Cities. I say look for local "adult swim" hours at outdoor pools this summer and try to find a high school in the STP area that has lap swim hours.

Good luck - I'm in the same boat as you.

Outdoor pools work but are often more expensive than indoor options. THough this is how I got through my first triathlon.