» Transitioning to Open Water Swimming

Michael Phelps fans are celebrating what the “Flying Fish” accomplished last week during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Watching one individual take on that schedule and come out of it with eight gold medals is historical. As I watched the coverage before, during, and after each swim at the Water Cube, I started reminiscing about my own swimming record. When you compete for a club swim team, chances are the yards are long, your swimsuits are full of holes, and you cannot think about anything but eating and sleeping outside the water.

I began comparing swimming in past pool events to the open water swims I race today. Going from pool competition to open water required some adjusting. The level of commitment is just as high, yet things are different when you go outside the lanes. And this year in Beijing, outside the Water Cube, athletes are competing in the 10k open water swim and the men’s and women’s triathlon. These are athletes that might have started their swimming careers in the pool, but have since transitioned into open water. A background in swimming has fostered my attachment to the sport in general, but training and racing in open water involved a few modifications.

Lap Swimming Apparel
Before: Swimsuit, cap, goggles.
After: Swimsuit, cap, goggles, wetsuit

Triathletes and open water swimmers may not have a use for a Speedo LZR racing suit, but the technology which goes into any item of apparel has a similar purpose. Provide athletes with equipment which works to supplement training efforts and produce quality results. However, the main concern with apparel for any athlete should be comfort. Find what works for you, even if it is not the latest and greatest on the market.

Venue
Before: 25-yard pool in the winter, 50-meter pool in the summer
After: Lakes, rivers, oceans, streams, creeks, puddles…

As a pool swimmer, you are probably more than comfortable in the water. But some of that confidence tends to diminish when the walls and black lines of the pool disappear. Train where you will be racing. Do not wait until race day to venture away from the lane-lines

Competition
Before: One person per lane
After: Mass swim starts…and sea life

Typically at the start of an open water swim or a triathlon, you will be starting in a group. A rather large group. Not only are you swimming with humans, you will be joined by various sea creatures whether you are aware or not. The more comfortable you with this fact, the smoother your swim will go.

Racing Distance
Before: 50 – 1650 yards/meters
After: 500 meter – ?

Events outside the pool are longer distances ranging probably from 500 meters to about 2 or 3 miles. And up. How do you cope with these distances? You train for longer distances. You will not eliminate speed work completely, but you will spend some quality time with your head underwater.

Open Water Racing Training
Before: 6 days/week, 2 practices/day, 3000-10000 meters/yards per workout
After: 2-4 days/week, 1500-5000 meters per workout

The biggest adjustment between pool and open water swimming falls in the training. I had to switch my focus from being able to race multiple events and various strokes to training long distance freestyle swimming. When I first started training with this in mind, I felt like my training in the water had a purpose, and each workout was specifically and directly related to that purpose.

Before the 2008 Olympic Games started, we all wondered if eight gold medals were possible. And after a week of seventeen events, we know it is. What Michael Phelps accomplished this past week is inspiring at all levels. Find your own before and after. Make your move and step outside the lane-lines.

Written by Carrie Smith