Warming-up and surviving the swim
Open water swimming is never boring. Whether you are an accomplished swimmer or a first timer, there is never the "same" open water swim. Variables are always changing and it’s not too often you swim with a few hundred other athletes starting at the same time, trying to get to the same point.
Proper transition set-up and warm-up are essential to having a successful race. In short Course Triathlons (Sprint & Olympic Distances) the importance is magnified even more so because every second counts. Long course athletes have room for error but why waste those precious minutes and seconds when you can maximize your advantage over the competition.
The first step to a more successful and enjoyable event may seem like a no brainer, arrive early on race day. You might remember the guy that arrived as the transition area was being cleared search frantically for a spot to rack his bike. This is an all too common scene in triathlon and can lead to a disastrous day.
Once you’ve secured your area in transition, stretch, are numbered, and have gone to the bathroom (twice) it’s time to get in your pre-race warm up.
There are several reasons aside from the obvious why you’ll want to include a solid pre-race warm-up before every event. A proper warm-up, preferably in each event, with a few accelerations to race pace will get your heart rate going and prepare your body for task at hand. As if you need more reason, there is a strategic advantage to knowing what to expect once the gun goes off. What’s the water temperature (cold or warm); are there landmarks you can use to navigate possibly spending less time and energy sighting; what are the water conditions (currents, swells, surface chop, sun, rocks)? All of these factors can vary from day to day so even if you’re able to pre-swim the course in the days leading to the race nothing is certain on race day. Prepare for the unexpected.
Armed with all this information you can now seed yourself properly and take every advantage to get to the first turn buoy ahead of those that might otherwise be stronger though less prepared athletes.
Remember having a plan and being prepared is half the battle.
