Help! Can't find courage to go to swim center - Triathlon Week

SC_tri · 08-15-2006, 08:54 AM

Okay, So I am on my third week of training for my first tri in October. I've been swimming in my condo complex pool. I know I have to start doing laps at the Santa Clara Swim center where there's real pools but I have no idea what to do. I went there during lap swim once just to check it out and it was packed. I don't think there was a beginner lap. It was crazy. I am so intimidated.

What do I do? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bobby

sfricks · 08-15-2006, 10:44 AM

Welcome Bobby. Two things to consider...
1) Everyone started somewhere. Those swimmer you saw weren't always good swimmers.
2) Most people like to share knowledge & help, however, most experienced athletes fear helping those inexperienced athletes because a) they don't want to intimidate beginers and 2) because they don't want to seem like they're giving unwanted advise.

I'd be willing to bet if you struck up a few conversations, you'd find a lot of those athletes willing to help.

Failing that, consider finding another, less crowded pool or a time when that pool is less crowded such as very early in the AM, before work perhaps.

Good Luck!

hmullett · 08-15-2006, 05:52 PM

I can so relate to your situation. I had to start somewhere, too. I started swimming laps for my first tri four years ago. First time swimming laps. I was very intimidated by the advanced swimmers and I was embarrassed by my pitiful stroke and speed. Well, I'm now one of the ones that can swim faster. I didn't give up and I just kept plugging along.

You can do this. If anything, ask someone who looks nice for help. I know that if someone came to me, I would help them in a heartbeat! Good luck and keep plugging along.

Heather

ddguier · 08-15-2006, 07:52 PM

You just have to tri - this is my first year and have down 2 tri sprints. Last Feb. I couldn't swim one length alone one lap. I would sit and wait untill the pool wasn't so crowded. After about 3 weeks I could do 1-2 laps. I just kept going. I am still not very good, but I just go anyway, no matter who is there. I can now swim 40-50 laps without stopping, not fast, but I get there. I really enjoyed the 2 tri's that I have done and wished I would have started years ago.

Do the best you can- we all have to start somewhere- good luck!

dd

djstaskal · 08-16-2006, 07:45 AM

I started tris 5 years ago. I had wanted to start earlier but never did because I couldn't swim. Never really learned how, I could spash from one end of the pool to the other but that was about it. So a friend talked me into signing up for a tri and he told me he would teach me to swim. That didn't work so well because he just told me to do what he did, see it's easy right?? NOT! I ended up taking some private lessons from a swim coach and successfully completed my first tri in 2002. It wasn't pretty but I did it. I had the biggest smile on my face coming out of the water, not because I did so well but simply because it was over and I didn't give up. Since then I've done 18 tris including a 1/2 IM. I'm very comfortable in the water now but still kind of slow. So, over this winter I'm heading back for some more instruction to improve stroke and speed. Completing your first tri is an awesome feeling (ok, completing any tri feels good but the first one is increadible), you just have to have the determination to do it. And you may want to plan a few open water swims before the tri so you can work on not swimming in a zig zag formation like I did!!

Best of luck and just get out there and swim.
DJS

SC_tri · 08-16-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the input. Your all right. I am looking into the local YMCA. They have more lap hours a day so I think I will be able to be more comfortable there. But at the same time I think by going to the crazy packed swim center, I will get better faster because of the pressure.

Again,

Thanks all.

Bobby

trailzen · 08-17-2006, 05:18 AM

I just got back in the pool this year and hope to compete next year.Our olympic pool sounds alot like yours everyone swims better than me.Fortunately I met a retired guy in his 70's who was swimminig like a fish and when we talked turns out he has raced in swim meets since his mid 30's and if I go at the same time as him daily he gives me free coaching .Get in the pool you never know how it will turn out.