Let's Start with a Swim

Today David and I went down and rode the entire 112 mile bike course. It was our best workout so far, but more about that later.

Ironman begins with a 2.4 mile swim. In terms of the whole event it is a somewhat trivial component. But the swim does two things. First , it sets the table for the rest of the event. The saying is that you cannot win a triathlon in the swim but you can lose one. You need to get off to a good start and use as LITTLE energy as possible. The second thing is that it makes for scary stories that we can tell people to make triathlon seem really freaky cool.

Back to the energy saving thing. The key is to move effeciently. Triathletes actually try to minimize their kick unlike pool swimmers to save legs for other things. In many races we use wetsuits but not at Louisville because the water will be warm. Wetsuits provide warmth but also make you float and go faster.

I viewed the Louisville swimm course today. It is daunting to look out into the massive OHIO and figure out how to swim that monster.

The first part is against the current and involves swimming around an island. I have read that sticking close to land can reduce the impact of the current and I plan to test this out. AFter you turn around the island, we head with the current down to the finish line on the great Lawn.

4 years ago I could not swim 37 yards. I now routinely swim 2 miles. That said this kind of open water swimming is another kettle of fish but hopefully not sharks.

My best time for a 1.2 mile swim in the Ohio has been around 52 minutes so anything under 1:40 FOR 2.4 MILES WILL BE GREAT. Pro swim times will be 55 minutes total and good amateurs are around 1:15. Large, Manatee like creatures will be ecstatic with 1:40 and will live with anything under 2:00. By the way, if you are not out of the water by 2:10 or so they pull you from the race.

Tomarrow , a little about the bike and a report on today's training session.