Triathlon - Its a shame

I would so love to do a traithalon. Very very much. I'm very decent at cycling, most likely would be
my strongest event. I'm ok at running, and with training my running can definitely improve. The sad part
is that I can't swim worth a lick. I can swim like one lap of the pool and thats it. And as I see it, my swimming
isn't going to improve to the point where I'm swimming over 1000 meters, even if I had the best trainer in the world. Maybe its because I have like 3% body fat which isn't good for buoyancy. Mann if I could swim I would I would really be having fun with traithalons, well I guess it just wasn't meant to be, maybe in another life time. For now I'll just stick to cycling, doing my own personal time trails, and doing fun centuries every so often.

I've got about 3% body fat as well, I'm a skinny lean thing. Swimming is my most difficult event. But you can get better. I'd suggest you check out total immersion swimming - see if your library has "triathlon swimming made easy" or "swimming made easy". Or check out their website. The techniques they offer *will* help you swim better. You *can* float. You are probably doing what I used to do - try to "make" yourself float to prevent the sinking like a rock feeling. One of the techniques they teach is "swimming down hill" - pressing your chest into the water while keeping your head aligned with your torso looking straight down. If you do this right you do actualy feel as if your are going downhill - as in it gets easier to move. This is probably the opposite of what you do - probably totally subconsciously - it certainly was the opposite of what I used to do. By doing this you get your hips and legs up to the surface where they belong instead of sinking behind you... you swim more efficiently. Just that one simple thing made a tremendous difference in my swimming.

I second Mashani. Most gyms have reasonable lesson fees. This will save lots of time and frustration.

I was in your boat a few months ago, long-time biker and runner, couldn't swim more than a couple laps. I took a class at the beginning of the summer and started swimming 3-4 times a week. Now I'm up to about a mile at a time. The point isn't that I'm so cool- it's that if you're fit, swimming comes along really fast.

Thanks for the info

or start by getting into Duathlons and go from there. Most triathlons are done with a wet suit anyway so your bouyancy is compensated for. Don't let your current position stop you from trying. You'll never know unless you go for it hard for a while. Good luck.

I feel your pain, Superstar, but I had it worse. I actually trained with tri-geeks (running and bike) for 2 years, but am left to watch them swim. I constantly hear all about how great such and such race was, I read their race reports, and they encourage me to join them in the pool. I took some swim lessons, but progress was too slow. Then, we had a baby and now I'm happy when I can get out for a ride or run. I haven't given up though. I agree with Mashani on the Total Immersion lessons. Like you, I sink like a brick, but after 2 lessons, I was able to somewhat find my balance and was able to kinda float. This was a huge step from constantly sinking. I'll get there someday. I've been thinking alot about duathlons. Good luck!

I would so love to do a traithalon. Very very much. I'm very decent at cycling, most likely would be
my strongest event. I'm ok at running, and with training my running can definitely improve. The sad part
is that I can't swim worth a lick. I can swim like one lap of the pool and thats it. And as I see it, my swimming
isn't going to improve to the point where I'm swimming over 1000 meters, even if I had the best trainer in the world. Maybe its because I have like 3% body fat which isn't good for buoyancy. Mann if I could swim I would I would really be having fun with traithalons, well I guess it just wasn't meant to be, maybe in another life time. For now I'll just stick to cycling, doing my own personal time trails, and doing fun centuries every so often.

do you really think that the elite triatheletes have more bodyfat then you? think again...Swimming is 90% technique.

My experienced tri-geek brother wants me to do a triathlon and like many people the swim leg will be hell for me. However, as he explains it, you don't spend a lot of time doing lap after lap etc. The swimming training is more about working on your technique so you are more efficient. At least for him, the hard training is done on the bike and on the run. While you do have to spend some time in the water it isn't going to be high intensity that you dread.