Total Immersion Swimming
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| Me, executing the world’s worst flipturn just for fun! |
A little over 2 years ago, when I decided to give triathlon racing a try, I didn’t let the fact that I couldn’t run and was only marginally skilled at biking (on a big, honking mountain bike no less, NOT a road bike) bother me. Ever the optimist, I figured that no matter how slowly I ran and biked, I’d eventually huff and puff my way across the finish line, and that’s what counted anyway. I was, however, TERRIFIED of the swim portion of the race. To me, “swimming” was defined as splashing about in a pool with a vodka martini in one hand and a pink inflatable raft firmly under one ass cheek. And I assumed that my method of swimming differed somewhat from the open-water race techniques employed by triathletes. I was right. My first real swim session at the local lap pool indicated that I couldn’t swim even 25 yards without stopping to stand up and mightily suck wind — much less swim a quarter mile in open water which is what the race required. Clearly, I did not know HOW to swim freestyle properly.
Did I let this stop me? No, I did not. I did what any rational, thinking person would do: I put my lack of swimming skills firmly out of mind, avoided the pool like the plague, and focused on my running and biking. Come race day, I did what was necessary in the water: I breast-stroked, side-stroked, dog paddled, and floated on my back for a quarter of a mile while real swimmers churned the water as they swam around and past me. I think I got out of the water last in my race wave and close to last for the race wave that started several minutes after me. Whatever. At the time I was just proud I hadn’t required assistance from the safety kayakers and that I didn’t actually drown. Given how bad I was in the water, that was a REAL victory!
Bad swimming notwithstanding, I’d had ALOT of fun at my first triathlon and a few months later I decided to register for another one. But this time I wanted to actually SWIM (instead of float) during the swim portion of the race. I went searching for help online looking for anything that could improve my non-existent abilities. Enter the Total Immersion (TI) Swimming technique. After reading pretty rave reviews on various newbie triathlon forums, I purchased both the book and the DVD. Right from the first session I was thrilled. This system teaches you how to swim freestyle from the ground up. You build a good foundation for the stroke by drilling in basic balance techniques, then basic body-movement techniques, then basic stroke techniques. I was amazed at how WRONGLY (is that a word?) I’d been swimming and how much more efficient the TI method made me right off the bat. I became slippery and streamlined; I learned to move through the water cleanly and quickly. I learned how to use front-quadrant swimming and keep my legs (and my lungs!) fresh for the bike and run. In the months leading up to my second race, I probably hit the pool 3 times a week following TI’s progression of drills and lessons. I enjoyed every minute of it and swimming went from something I loathed to something I loved.
The day of my second race arrived. I was prepped and ready and actually felt confident about the swim portion. I didn’t care where I finished; I just wanted to put all my newfound knowledge to use in an open water race. And I did. Once I got through the crazy, flailing, churning, cluster-f*ck that is the beginning of mass wave swim start (it has to be experienced to be believed), I quickly got into a rhythm and began to pass people. In fact, I began to pass guys from the wave before me (I could tell because they were wearing different colored swim caps)! I exited the water fresh as a daisy and riding a great high. The rest of the race went smoothly and was a blast. Later, when the race results were posted, I discovered I came in FIRST in my age group! From last to first, that’s amazing — particularly when you consider that I really have no innate athleticism or coordination!
So if you have ever thought about triathlon or just swimming but don’t feel like you have great freestyle skills, I can recommend TI whole-heartedly!
Here I am at the race waiting for my swim wave to start, displaying my “conehead”! It is HARD to get all my hair under a swim cap, trust me. And yes, I am probably making a snarky comment. 
The first swim waves ready themselves as the sun rises over the causeway bridge in the distance. After the swim we will bike over 4 of those bridges, then run over it twice!
OMG! triathalon!? you are amazing! truly amazing! so what’s next on your list of races? a bigger run? or a triathalon? a bike race? sometimes when I’m on the treadmill and dying, I think of you and all of your progress, and then I keep running!
you’re so close to goal! WOOHOO
You’re so cute with your conehead
Wow, I’m really impressed. My biggest fear would be the water portion, too. We have a local swimming and tennis club that we’ve been going to for the past few years with friends. I’m always sitting with the adults eating and drinking while the kids go off the diving boards and have fun. Next summer, I’m going to swim. In all these years I’ve never even showed up in my suit!
We have many triathalon options in my area (Puget Sound), but the water is FREEZING! I hope it was warm where you are!
I used to swim as a young girl. A little over a year ago, I decided to join an adult swim team and start swimming again. OMG! I was so exhausted that I’d literally vomit after leaving the pool and I would have to go home and go straight to bed because of the nausea. And, I couldn’t swim even one lap. We’ve since moved to an area that has virtually no pools.
Congratulations on conquering the swimming! One day, I’ll follow in your footsteps.
Thanks for the recommendation. I don’t think I’m ready for a triathalon, but now I’m thinking it might be nice to get back into the pool again & try it the right way.
I’m so impressed that you did your first one without even training for the swimming portion. You’re amazing! I’d probably chicken out big time on the drive to the race!
That’s awesome. As any good Florida native (yes, I am a rarity) I can swim to save my life but do not know how to swim “properly”. I get VERY tired just doing a lap in the pool. HOWEVER, if we get the house we are probably going to put an offer on it comes with it’s very own pool and I may just have to try this swimming technique and actually learn. I was 19 when I learned how to dive — learning to properly swim at 32 couldn’t be too hard!
In the words of Tyler Durden: “People do it everyday, they talk to themselves… they see themselves as they’d like to be. They don’t have the courage you have, to just run with it.”
Awsome. Totally, totally awesome. For me, the concept of “triathalon” is up there with “flying by flapping my arms” and “walking to the moon”.
I totally suck at swimming. Years ago I did swimming lessons. Beloved says I have a lovely technique, really neat strokes etc, but I never could get the breathing right.
You are totally my pinup girl.
Incredible. I totally agree with travelgal cos when I am working out and I feel like I want to give up - I think of you and I just keep going.
You are just SUPER!
we’re waiting to see how the run went…
They should make a little “action hero” doll collection of you! I’d buy the whole darned set!
I love swimming, grew up in the water. Here the water is frigid cold even in summer. Still manage to get in it! Brrrrrr!
Oh man oh man oh man!
I’m so glad I read this post!
I’m doing the running. I’m doing the biking. My current speedbump is….swimming! I’m so going to check out that program! If I can bike, I can sure as heck become a better swimmer! Look out!