to swimming in the outdoors, you can choose from goggles, masks or a hybrid. Some people like the extra feeling of protection offered by masks, while others are happy with larger styles of goggles (we've tested both types here).Whatever you choose, your open
this before. I'm two months along the path of trying to turn myself into a decent swimmer - or at least one good enough to stay with the pack in the swim leg of a triathlon - and everyone who's had a look at my front crawl so far has reached the same
LINKS • Ironman Switzerland SITE • Official Ironman Website • Trinewbies.com• Ironman training planIn summer 2004, more than 20 forum members pledged to take on Ironman Switzerland in July 2005 - that's a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile run. Many
Most triathletes come from a running or biking background, so it's no surprise that the swim is usually the part of the race triathletes like least. Pool swimming generally poses few problems but taking to the open water is another matter
"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
way to monitor your training effort. On a scale of one to 10, a three would be a very easy session, perhaps a very easy distance swim, run or ride with concentration on technique; a seven would be a medium-intensity session; while a nine would be a
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
and count how many kicks you usually make per two-arm cycle. "Now try swimming with a two-beat kick," says Kelly. "If you can mostly use your arms, that will help the bike and run."Join the draftMany triathlons forbid drafting on the bike (using another
or chafe anywhere when you move. Sagging points will allow water to gather as you swim, which will slow you down, and no one needs to be told how uncomfortable chafing can be. Be especially careful to ensure the neck area is free from anything
