Swimming progress

Zebrano

I started swimming lessons 3 weeks ago and am a total non swimmer so far I can do about half a length
How many times a week would I need to practice to be able to do try a triathy at end of May

cart man

I was in a similar place to you. Once I was able to do a length I followed the 0 to 1 mile plan for 6 weeks, it had me swimming 3 days per week. After that I was able to join in coached lane sessions in the local pool. I kept going 3 times a week and then once the water was warmer I added an open water session too. Best of luck in Athy

http://ruthkazez.com/ZeroTo1mile.html

sawdoubters

I would do 4 times a week



swim of 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers),



the distances needed to swim a mile: 25 yard pool: 72 lengths or 36 laps 50 yard pool: 36 lengths or 18 laps 25 meter pool: 66 lengths or 33 laps 50 meter pool: 33 lengths or 17.5 laps

Oryx

Three times pw should get you there. If your trying to schedule running and cycling too I think getting four sessions in might be hard.

Open water practice will be essential.

Zebrano

Thanks for the replies. Should be able to do 4 a week of about 40 mins each.
Where os a good place for open water swimming around north dublin

jester1980

Portmanrnock always has swimmers out as does the Bull wall up past the wooden Bridge on the way to the statue.

Ive done a bit in Loughshnny too.

MojoMaker

3 swim sessions a week with a bad technique will only compound your misery and lead you down a path of frustration. My single biggest tip for you is to set aside a few €€ and book 3 or 4 1:1 sessions with a masters swim coach who can help you develop a proper efficient freestyle stroke. Without this all the yards logged in the pool will be hopelessly inefficient. If you are anywhere near the NAC there are a number of swim coaches who specialise in coaching technique for general swimming and for Triathlon.

Get the stroke right and everything else will follow. Then you can start logging the hard yards and build up endurance and swim fitness. If you crack a good technique quickly you will have plenty of time to prepare for your first event. You should easily be able to confidently complete a 350m swim after 8-10 weeks of consistent swim sessions with a solid efficient stroke. For your first event do not worry about speed - it will naturally become your focus over time. If the NAC is not convenient for you there should be an option for individual attention in every swimming pool / leisure centre in the country. As good as group lessons are there is nothing quite like 30-60 mins exclusive attention on the basics.

jester1980

To continue on the above comment,

If looking for 1 on 1 i went to a fella called Phil who is the Swim teached in Energie Fitness, went to him about 3 years abck and did the above mentioned 3-4 1 on 1 sessions.

I started a masters progrmme last week and noticed that after our session the coach was giving a one on one session too. Thats in Belvedere pool.

Doeshedare

Zebrano wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Should be able to do 4 a week of about 40 mins each.
Where os a good place for open water swimming around north dublin

Portmarnock High Rock on Sunday's at 12 - there is always a group of various abilities most from Eastern Bay Swimming club. If the weather is particularly poxy or the tide extremely low then Low Rock which is a good bet most of the time anyway.
In Howth, Balscadden is good though a bit prone to jellies in high summer the seals seem to be reasonably accustomed to people.
Bull wall as another poster says is good with a regular crew.
Wetsuits are rare among the purely OW community, even at this time of year but dont let that put you off!

I would also recommend some level of coaching, technique is everything in swimming, check out swimsmooth.com if you havent already

Zebrano

Thanks for all the replies
Im not sure im ready for 1to1 coaching yet as im still gaining from the group session as they seen very focused on technique. Its in a council pool so the group tends to be small enough and getting smaller every week. But ill start saving for some 1 to 1 sessions.
Thanks