breggurns

I am interested in trying a triathlon later this month. Of the 3 disciplines, I know I can do 2 well. I am a cyclist, and I did cross country a couple years ago so I know I can build a good running base. I am weary of the swim though. My question is: during the winter how any times a week should I swim? What I was thinking of doing will be to work on my running during the winter and build my swim in the spring all while maintaining my cycling.I am reluctent to swim during the winter because I would have to swim in the public pool a couple miles away after school, lock my bike out in front of the building which is in the "undesirable" part of town taking my chances of having my bike stolen, and ride home in the dark through some of the busiest streets in the city.
thanks

jennings780

As you know, of the three, swimming is the most difficult technically. While running and biking are mainly a function of building up the appropriate muscles and conditioning, to be a good swimmer you must have proper form and getting that form is very difficult. And, like biking and running, swimming takes its own set of muscles that are developed over months and years.


With respect to a triathlon, swimming is usually the shortest of the three. Swimming won't win a triathlon for you but it can certainly lose a triathlon for you. The rule of thumb for tri training is to train on each discipline in the ratio of the time it will take you in the tri. So, spend twice the amount of time on the bike as you do running and swimming (each of which should take an equal amount). That being said, it makes a lot of sene to focus on your weakness. You probably can make up the most time by becoming a good swimmer than becoming a slightly better biker. Personally, I swim four or five times a week, run three times a week and bike three times a week. This is just how my schedule works out, not how I would do things if I didn't have a job and a family.

On swimming - I highly recommend getting the book "Triathlon Swimming Made Easy" by Terry Laughlin and the DVD "Freestyle Made Easy" also by Terry Laughlin. These teach the "total immersion" technique. You can order these from www.totalimmersion.net

Total Immersion focuses on reducing drag and becoming properly positioned in water. You will swim more fluidly and with less effort.

cjbruin

If I were you, I wouldn't subject myself to the stress and inconvenience that you described above. Wait until the spring to work on your swimming.

If you're starting with a sprint (0.25-0.5 mi swim) or olympic (~1 mi swim) you're really not going to be in the water that long if you have any swim skills at all. Once you get out of the water, you'll probably pass a ton of people on the bike and run.

That said...if your goal is to win the tri or win your age group...jennings is correct. Still, I would work on endurance during the winter and start swimming in the spring. Do the first tri to see how things go and assess from there.

I did my first tri in 1984 at the age of 16. My only swim experience at that point was chasing down my surfboard and I did the bike on a Schwinn Spitfire (beach cruiser). I think I finished 4th in my age group and I learned a ton. Looking back, I don't think I would have benefitted from riding my back through a bad area of town in the dark so I could swim.

Just my $0.02. Your mileage may vary.