Friday, July 22, 2011
Swimming in Barton Springs Pool
Being new to Austin, I didn't know what to expect. I needed a place to swim near downtown in the morning so I tried Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs is a spring fed "pool" located in Zilker Park. Its not really a pool though, its more of blocked off section of Barton Creek.
Here's a map with it location.
-Yes, the water is cold. But in the summer once you swim about a lap, it feels great. Just jump in and get going. You are warm in about 5 minutes
-The water is very clean, you can see to the bottom of the "pool" pretty much the whole way
-Opens at 5 am, its free in the morning until 9 am
-The limestone bottom is slippery
-There is every range of swimming ability there. From very fast to people in swim trunks and no googles cruising around. How fast or slow you are won't be noticed.
-Many people wear wetsuits, you don't need it in the summer but its great practice if you want to wear one. I do so half the time.
-Between 5:30 and 7:00 am when I swim, there are about 30 - 40 people there. Plenty of room.
-Most people start on the south (right) side by the steps and swim to the other end. There's a marker near the steps that shows one length being 1/8th of a mile.
Barton Springs is a spring fed "pool" located in Zilker Park. Its not really a pool though, its more of blocked off section of Barton Creek.
Here's a map with it location.
-Yes, the water is cold. But in the summer once you swim about a lap, it feels great. Just jump in and get going. You are warm in about 5 minutes
-The water is very clean, you can see to the bottom of the "pool" pretty much the whole way
-Opens at 5 am, its free in the morning until 9 am
-The limestone bottom is slippery
-There is every range of swimming ability there. From very fast to people in swim trunks and no googles cruising around. How fast or slow you are won't be noticed.
-Many people wear wetsuits, you don't need it in the summer but its great practice if you want to wear one. I do so half the time.
-Between 5:30 and 7:00 am when I swim, there are about 30 - 40 people there. Plenty of room.
-Most people start on the south (right) side by the steps and swim to the other end. There's a marker near the steps that shows one length being 1/8th of a mile.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
New to Swimming Advice
Swimming is the most intimidating part of a triathlon to most people. The first time I tried to swim I was exhausted after 25 meters. It seemed impossible and was very discouraging.
I did two things that I wish I knew upfront that made swimming much easier:
1. Terry Laughlin Swimming Video - Swimming is mostly technique. Once you learn the basics of breathing and stroke, it becomes much easier. I watched these videos and got a sense of the basic mechanics of how to swim and breathe. I got them on netflix, but here's a link to their site:
www.totalimmersion.net
2. Masters Swim - Once you can swim about 200 M straight (doesnt matter how fast), join a masters swim class.
A msters swim class is simply a class for adults lead by an experienced swim coach. They prepare workouts for the class and help students with technique. I have been in 3 different masters swim class and the people range from beginners to very fast swimmers, so there's nothing to be intimidated about.
If you do these 2 things, you will become very comfortable swimming quickly.
I did two things that I wish I knew upfront that made swimming much easier:
1. Terry Laughlin Swimming Video - Swimming is mostly technique. Once you learn the basics of breathing and stroke, it becomes much easier. I watched these videos and got a sense of the basic mechanics of how to swim and breathe. I got them on netflix, but here's a link to their site:
www.totalimmersion.net
2. Masters Swim - Once you can swim about 200 M straight (doesnt matter how fast), join a masters swim class.
A msters swim class is simply a class for adults lead by an experienced swim coach. They prepare workouts for the class and help students with technique. I have been in 3 different masters swim class and the people range from beginners to very fast swimmers, so there's nothing to be intimidated about.
If you do these 2 things, you will become very comfortable swimming quickly.
Lake Travis Triathlon Report - 2011
This is my first race report and I will be more detailed in the future, I did this race months ago......
Swim - 500M
The swim start in a pretty wide cove in a wave start. The cove is wide enough so that the start isnt too frenetic, there's plenty of space. The course is a big triangle.
The lake level was very low and it has been very windy here lately....that resulted in two things:
1. A surf! Swimming into the wind was tough with the waves it created. I hadn't experienced this before and seemed to get a gulp of water everytime I tried to breath. Once you made the first turn right of the "triangle", it became much easier. The second turn became even easier since you now had the waves to your back.
2. A long run to Transition. Up hill through rocks and grass with stickers, probably 400M. I dropped sandals by the edge of the water. It was a life saver. Many did not, its a must
Bike - 20K
2 laps around a 6 mile loop. Traffic was limited to one lane and was no problem. Good roads. Seemed to have more hills that it did:
Here's my garmin data:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81480876
Run - 5K
The 5K run is through a trail that is mostly gravel and flat. Pretty easy course, but since the start was late (9, I think), it was pretty hot by the time you were to the run.
But since its a trail its a little slow. But it was also short. I average 7:44/mile, but should've around 7:15 or so.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81480882
The race was very well organized and the volunteers were great.
I wasn't happy with my race (I never am) but I came in 4th in my age group which is the best I have ever done.
Will definitely do it next year so I have a shot at the top 3
Take aways for New Triathletes:
-Bring some kind of footwear from the swim to T1. Tennis shoes or sandals you can easily run in work best. Put them right by the swim exit and run up the hill to the transition area in them.
-Be prepared for a little surf and get in rhythm where you are breathing between the waves.
Swim - 500M
The swim start in a pretty wide cove in a wave start. The cove is wide enough so that the start isnt too frenetic, there's plenty of space. The course is a big triangle.
The lake level was very low and it has been very windy here lately....that resulted in two things:
1. A surf! Swimming into the wind was tough with the waves it created. I hadn't experienced this before and seemed to get a gulp of water everytime I tried to breath. Once you made the first turn right of the "triangle", it became much easier. The second turn became even easier since you now had the waves to your back.
2. A long run to Transition. Up hill through rocks and grass with stickers, probably 400M. I dropped sandals by the edge of the water. It was a life saver. Many did not, its a must
Bike - 20K
2 laps around a 6 mile loop. Traffic was limited to one lane and was no problem. Good roads. Seemed to have more hills that it did:
Here's my garmin data:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81480876
Run - 5K
The 5K run is through a trail that is mostly gravel and flat. Pretty easy course, but since the start was late (9, I think), it was pretty hot by the time you were to the run.
But since its a trail its a little slow. But it was also short. I average 7:44/mile, but should've around 7:15 or so.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81480882
The race was very well organized and the volunteers were great.
I wasn't happy with my race (I never am) but I came in 4th in my age group which is the best I have ever done.
Will definitely do it next year so I have a shot at the top 3
Take aways for New Triathletes:
-Bring some kind of footwear from the swim to T1. Tennis shoes or sandals you can easily run in work best. Put them right by the swim exit and run up the hill to the transition area in them.
-Be prepared for a little surf and get in rhythm where you are breathing between the waves.
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