Well, I (Jen) survived my Xterra Indian Peaks Triathlon on Aug. 6. It got me thinking more about those matches I talked about in my previous column and the importance of metering your effort during any long event.
I rode conservatively as planned and carefully metered the use of my matches. I knew that I didn't have many to spare and it would require my full effort just to complete the race. I
I (Jen) am writing this article because I know a lot of you may be like me and sometimes your training doesn't go as planned. I signed up for an Xterra triathlon, which is an off-road triathlon that starts with a mountain lake swim (that means cold) , continues with a 24K mountain bike ride and ends with a 7K trail run.
When I signed up, I thought these distances would not be that bad in
Posted by: Jen Boland in triathlon, swimming on
Apr 03, 2011
Last week, I (Jen) explained how practice is key to overcoming open-water-swimming fears. This week, again with the help of Wendy Mader, a local elite triathlete and triathlon coach, I've put together a list of common issues with open water swimming and how to overcome and or deal with them.
The first issue is dealing with cold water. I will never forget my first spring triathlon in Colorado. The water could not have been more than 58 degrees. When I first put my face in the water, it took my breath away. There is no doubt that is a scary feeling. You can wear a wet suit in cold water swim. I also recommend a neoprene cap for water temperature less than 60 degrees.
Before any cold water race, you'll want to be sure to get in a really good swim warm-up. This is always important but even more important for a cold-water swim. If you really begin to panic once in the water, you can either switch to breaststroke and keep your head out of the water for a few minutes or flip over to your back. You can also just float for a minute and get your breathing back or actually do the backstroke.
Posted by: Jen Boland in triathlon, swimming on
Mar 27, 2011
One of our local triathlon coaches, Wendy Mader, of t2coaching, recently posted this question on Facebook: "What are your open water swimming fears?" I asked her to share her responses with me and help prepare this article.
Fears ranged from "fish monsters biting my feet," waves and just the plain "unknown" of no lane line, floor or walls to "how do I get to the buoy in a straight line?" Some responses were rational fears like having a bathroom emergency in the middle of the race, while others were frustrations like goggles coming loose, fogging up or filling with water.
Mader said that: "Success at open water swimming does not begin in a pool or a lake; it begins in your head."
I (Jen) truly believe that just about anyone can do a sprint triathlon as long you know how to swim, ride a bike and walk. You don't have to be great swimmer, you just need to be able to put your face in the water and do the crawl (freestyle) or even the breaststroke.
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to train for a sprint distance race in about four hours a week. Most people need the
