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Discussion: Woohoo! First brick and open swim!
Subject: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Shelly R. Written on: 2006-06-10 14:28:05 Message: This morning I did my first open swim and then rode my bike. I feel awesome! It was a bit chilly at first in the pond, since I don't have a wetsuit, but it warmed up pretty fast. Open swimming is so different than anything I've ever done, and I come from a swimming background. I couldn't find my bearings and couldn't swim in a straight line to save my life, but it was fun! I had to keep doing breast stroke to look for the buoys. Thank goodness I had built up my endurance beforehand! Then, I walked back to my car, and took off on my bike. The whole time I'm thinking... Woohoo I can finally say that I did a brick, which is a momentous occation, since a few months ago I wouldn't have any clue what a brick was. It was an easy ride, a little hilly, but no big deal. I just feel so awesome that I wanted to share!
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: dawn marie h. Written on: 2006-06-10 14:57:19 Message: Congrats I still have a serious issue with open water....but i just signed up for our town lake for laps and I'm going to conquer my fears And yes, people will be like, "what the heck is a brick?"....
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Don N. Written on: 2006-06-10 15:34:15 Message: Congratulations! You are now one step closer to completing a triathlon. I remember when I did my first brick "bike/run" on a track. My legs felt so weird and it felt like I was going in slow motion. Now thinking about it it's actually sort of comical when you first jump off the bike to go run and feel those ~jelly legs for the first time~! But ya, when you do you brick workout in whatever time or distance your shooting for just remember to pace yourself when you first start doing it to allow your body to adapt to the wired changes going on. And if you really want to make a detailed workout try to work on practice transitions (T1 & T2) and also practice running or jogging directly from the swim (up the sand or grass) to the parking lot and back (this will help come race day so it doesn't seem weird or uncomfortable). Best of luck, Don!
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Jeanette M. Written on: 2006-06-10 16:08:51 Message: Yeah! Congrats on the milestone.
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-10 17:19:45 Message: Shelly, Glad you finally got over to the pond it is one of the best things you could do for your triathlon swim. You would be suprised how much easier it is in a wetsuit. I was there also, wish we could have met. Have you joined Bike Source Tri Club? We are having a Club meeting at 6:30 Monday evening stop by and bring your triathlete freinds. We are also doing club time trials at Chatfield thursday evenings at 6. Its a very fun and effective workout of about 15 miles. It was a good swim for me I ran into Will from Bike Source and Bucky Shafer ( he won the Boulder 5430 Spint last year) and Joey G. a friend that has gone pro. What a workout swimming in a group of fast young guys. Then Ran up waterton canyon with a friend that is doing IM Coeure d'laine and I bonked out at about 6.5 miles and had to walk and run back down. Whew, now my wife is making dinner plans. When can an old fart get a nap? Ron
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: John P. Written on: 2006-06-10 20:20:26 Message: Funny you should neton the open swim. This AM I met 14 other tri clulb members at Lily lake for a swim. We have been in the pool most of the winter together. The water was cool but all of us but one had a wet suit. I bought a new blue seventy from tri village, thats how i found this site. Any way in we go. I was doing fine head down swimming along then decided I should be sighting. I started looking up, at it got to often. i was getting a little spooked and ended up turning around and going back to
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: John P. Written on: 2006-06-10 20:20:26 Message: Funny you should neton the open swim. This AM I met 14 other tri clulb members at Lily lake for a swim. We have been in the pool most of the winter together. The water was cool but all of us but one had a wet suit. I bought a new blue seventy from tri village, thats how i found this site. Any way in we go. I was doing fine head down swimming along then decided I should be sighting. I started looking up, at it got to often. i was getting a little spooked and ended up turning around and going back to
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: John P. Written on: 2006-06-10 20:25:44 Message: rest of message and with spelling corrections. shore. I was about 200 metres from shore at this point. I watched as the rest of the group swam around the bouys and then back in. I stayed in the water and swam out and back for a half hour or so. We are going to meet again Wednesday evening and I shall keep trying. I quess the open water is a little different than what i expected. Will have to practice, practice and practice some more. It was really a surprise to me that it kind of freaked me out. WOW.
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-10 23:34:02 Message: John, The more you do it the bigger your comfort zone will become. Just keep getting back in there. Ron
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Jenny A. Written on: 2006-06-11 06:55:05 Message: My first Sprint triathlon will be next weekend -- and *THAT* will be my first open water swim experience (other than just splashing around in swimming lakes or at the shore). Unfortunately, there isn't anyplace that's very convenient for me to get to to practice in open water. I did just find out about a weekly organized open water swim session at a lake a little over half an hour from where I live, so after my race I'll try to get in some more open water swim training in.... Meanwhile, I'll just have to hope for the best next week!! Jenny
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-11 09:52:37 Message: Jenny, It' just water but on race day there will be a lot of distractions and the bouys to sight for. In the pool do a little practice for the bouy sighting. Pick an object that is not easy to see at the far end of the pool and try to spot it at least once per length for quite a few lengths. I try to read the small wall clock at my pool. Don't over do it this week as you will use some new muscles and don't want to get sore this close to your race. Have fun in your race and remember, you like to play in the lake so if you get scared just take it easy and play with the swim. Ron
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-11 15:59:37 Message: Shelly, Congrats on a successful swim and bike ride! The open water swims are a challenge for most people, because it is so different from everything else we are used to. Keep working at it, you are doing great! Jael
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Shelly R. Written on: 2006-06-11 20:06:00 Message: Thanks everyone! It just feels so great to share my experience with everyone! I'm starting to learn that even though my family and friends are supportive, they don't really understand the little accomplishments as you train. Ron, No, I haven't joined the BikeSource tri club and probably won't until after I have my first tri season under my belt. But, next time we (I'm planning on meeting up with another ontri member) go out to Chatfield, I'll let you know. We're going to try to go during the week and on Saturdays. My email is sspaugh3@gmail.com... give me a shout! Jael, I loved what you said in another post about being a penguin... that describes me completely! No problem in the water, but my run definitely looks like a waddle! I look forward to my first bike/run brick... kinda scary for me. A lot of people say that the swim is their weakest leg, buy mine is definitely the run. I'm still working on running straight through 5k, which I haven't done yet. Walk/Run is still my method, but I'm moving forward, and that's an accomplishment in itself! I love this site and have learned so much from all of you! Thanks so much!
Subject: RE: Woohoo! First brick and open swim! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-12 13:34:45 Message: Shelly, This afternoon I will be at the pond swimming from 4:30 PM til 5:30 then again on Wednesday about 4:30 for an easy taper swim. I'll be wearing a blue Bike Source bathing cap and a black and blue QR wetsuit. Ron
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