We all know that triathlon swimming in open water is not the same as pool swimming. In fact, I like to say that no two strokes in open water are the same. While in the pool you can be metronomic with your stroke rate and distance per stroke, it's almost impossible to replicate in a lake/river/ocean with waves, buoys, currents, poor sighting and other people to deal with. It's why I believe we should swim in open water whenever possible - the pool is controlled and consistent, open water is not.
That said, not everyone can swim au natural through the spring/summer, so how can we manipulate our pool sessions to better prepare for the demands of racing?
One way I've found over the years that works well is to go through the gears within a set. This develops your ability to accelerate when you need to in a race and then settle back to a sustainable pace. This is useful at race start, pushing into a buoy or bridging up to a competitor you'd like to draft.
This story is from the September 2023 edition of 220 Triathlon.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2023 edition of 220 Triathlon.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BAPTISM OF FIRE
Eager to get a taste for multisport, Ben Clement takes on the duathlon at Xterra Matterley in Hampshire and discovers it's far from a walk in a park...
SWIMMING'S GREATEST INNOVATION
FORM’S NEWSMART, SWIM 2 GOGGLES PROJECT YOUR ACCURATE!} HEART RATE ONTO THE. GSGELE. LENS FOR ON-THE-FLY FEEDBACK, IT’SSET TO TRANSFORM THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL EEVELS OF TRIATHLETE. WE SHOW YOU HOW..;
ON TEST TRIATHLON BAGS
In need of a pack to keep all of your kit organised on race day? We put seven options to the test
TRIATHLON WETSUITS UNDER £400
On a budget? Then there are some great wetsuits out there, starting at a little over £100. Here's our pick...
LONG DISTANCE RACES FOR LESS
Struggling to stomach the cost of a full or middle-distance tri? These picks will test you physically and mentally, without being as painful on your pocket...
HOW TO CONQUER SWIMMING IN THE SEA
The sea is nature's greatest swimming pool - and features in many of the world's best triathlons. But if you're new to oceanic adventures, it can be daunting. Here's how to feel at home...
THE POWER OF RESILIENCE
Georgia Taylor-Brown is one of Great Britain's finest triathletes whose strength of spirit has seen her overcome a litany of injuries and personal issues that would end the careers of most. And, as Adam Leitch finds out, just making the 2024 Olympic team would be her biggest victory to date..
QUINTANA ROO V-PRI
QUINTANA ROO’S BACK WITH AN UPGRADE ON ITS V-PR. ON THE FACE OF IT, IT LOOKS IMPRESSIVE, BUT YOULL NEED DEEP POCKETS...
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Hugo Milner may be fairly new to the sport of triathlon, but he's already one of Britain's brightest prospects in years. In fact, he's that good he even has an outside chance of heading to Paris...
"I DON'T LET THE STROKE AFFECT MY DECISION TO RACE"
In 2022, personal trainer Richard Higgins, 33, suffered a stroke two months before Celtman, but he refuses to waste any energy thinking about it...
