Developing the right pace for the open water is one of the most important lessons a novice triathlete must learn - and misjudging pace is one of the most common mistakes in the sport. When you're running you can use a heart-rate monitor and mile

swimming. How? Lead with the top of your head, not your forehead. Feel water flowing over the back of your head. Look at the pool bottom directly under you, not in front of you.Drill 2: Swim Downhill Why? Balance – feeling completely supported by the water

, eventually, glee.Your stroke in the open water should differ to the one you use in the pool. These tips and drills won't let you down.1 Body PositionTo swim long distances, a streamlined body position will markedly reduce your effort. Poor leg position is a

, eventually, glee.Your stroke in the open water should differ to the one you use in the pool. These tips and drills won't let you down.1 Body PositionTo swim long distances, a streamlined body position will markedly reduce your effort. Poor leg position is a

"There is nothing like pink toilet paper or a floating plaster to come at you from the deep to make you swim faster!" says Duncan Hough, vice chair of the Birmingham Running and Triathlon Club (www.bratclub.co.uk). But your first open-water swim

Jumping in the Thames or heading for the beach aren’t always possible when you’re training for a triathlon but there are some open-water swimming skills you can practise in the pool. By spending a few minutes every week honing your ability, you

an issue.Like most aspiring triathletes, I'm coming to the sport largely from an endurance running and cycling background. As such I think my concern about the water element of the challenge is fairly typical. Triathlon swimming generally means open-water

of perceived exertion (RPE).Using a scale of one to 10 (or one to 20), this method rates effort number one as complete rest and number 10 (or 20) as your absolute maximum intensity. Although this does take experience (and honesty!) it is an easy and efficient

in the water.I swim in two pools - one is a beautiful restored 1930s municipal pool. It's a slightly random 30.5m long (which makes doing the maths of how far I need to swim even harder!). The water is cool and clear and I usually get plenty of room to myself

in the pool searching for the vaguest remnants of my swimming muscle memory. I've drawn up a plan with 3-4 sessions a week, regular swims of 1000-1500m interspersed with shorter sprints and drills.Deep breath - it's going to be a busy couple of months!