Help ocean swimmers/triathletes

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

I am completely underprepared for my first sprint tri next weekend. Bike is fine, I've built up to a 9.2min/mile run for 3 miles (though fully prepared that I might end up walking the whole thing) but I'm worried about my swimming.

Did a swim clinic in the ocean today, hired a wetsuit and am going swimming with a group tomorrow, but it's just so hard. I don't think I have the strength for it.

I already know I'm just going to be doing it to see if I can, I'm not in it for the race, I'm fine that I will not be one of the first past the post and specifically chose this tri because It's very beginner friendly - met lots of folk today who are doing it and there are many of us worried about swimming.

My question is how can I best prepare over the next week? I only have the wetsuit for tomorrow then have to take it back, have hired it for next weekend too but will only have it Friday-Sunday

Should I just get in the pool every day? I can swim with a group in the ocean in weds am, I'm nervous of going in without a group but before returning the wetsuit tomorrow I'm going to at least practice swimming out and in a bit.

Oh god maybe I should just cut my losses?

Forget all concerns about swim time - getting faster at swimming is negligible in triathlon as it's all about the bike for time. The key is to swim as easy as you can so you raise your heart rate as little as possible so u have the stamina left to do the bike and run. Wetsuits make you buoyant and give you a better position in water saving you energy and making you faster. Swimming this week I'd practice your exhaling in the water to keep the swimming relaxed and calm - important as the cold water can make you breathe harder so try and focus on staying calm. Concentrate on your sighting so u can stay on course on the day.
Apart from that just have fun. People of all ages and abilities do them and the camaraderie is great. Even the elites look at the beginners and say good on you for getting out there and doing it. It's an achievement in itself to get through three disciplines in one race. Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks - timing I'm not bothered about and the one discipline I'm good at is cycling (I already race and do endurance rides)

Honestly I'm just worried about being strong enough for the swim - should I spend my very limited time this week in the pool or working on upper body and arm strength?

I agree with Please - try and take it as easy as possible. You'll get through it, and there will be kayakers on hand….you won't be by any means the first triathlete to grab the end of the kayak if you do get over tired or panic. Avoid the front of the pack and let the fast people go….there will still be other people for you to swim along with.

It's actually quite a confidence boost being a not-great swimmer and a good cyclist - as you can whizz past loads of people on the bike.

I can't add a great deal, having only done one open water event, but I can tell you that having a panic attack and having the kayakers come to you isn't the end of everything (cos I did that). Concentrate on your breathing when you have the open water chance as thats the weird bit, and visualise how you'll swim - calmly, at your own pace.