Pull Buoy

If you're determined to try your first Ironman, but a bit nervous about swimming, which can make you feel better.

Historically, more first time Ironman starters are more experienced in the race and / or cycling rather than swimming. You're not alone!

Believe me, I survived my first Ironman swim and you too. When I looked at the crazy people in 1982 and they swam 2.4 miles in the ocean, my first thought was --- "I think that my rules". Since I could not swim a stroke at the time and had a healthy fear of water, my chances looked pretty slim.

Something happened though. The more I watched the race, the more I wanted to do. When the TV version of Hawaii Ironman 1982 was done, I was determined to learn to swim. I wanted to cross the finish line.

Two years later, I was in Kona, the gun is gone, and I was on my way. This was my first water bath free! And he was swimming! I had a really crappy Stoke. I know that now. I did not at that time. I swam in Kona - the Ironman!

I was hit, kicked and run over, but luckily for me there was almost 900 entries that day. It would be much worse in the coming years as the fields have increased to 2000 and more!

Back to Kona! It was surreal. Swimming pool on the boat with the sails large orange, which marked the turning point. Observation of tropical fish I swam. The divers sat on the ocean floor, waving as we swam through. Walk around halfway and underwater photographer take my picture as I rounded the boat and headed. The incredible rush I felt the lift being me and push me towards the shore.

I can not even put into words how he felt when I got up after one hour and 38 minutes and realized I had finished the Hawaii Ironman swim. It was a defining moment in my life. I knew right away that, before the day was done, I am an Ironman.

I will never forget this tent transition. It was electric! It was like everybody was talking at once. You can "feel" the sense of accomplishment and relief in the air. In retrospect, I really think that many people in the race this year have been dreading the swim.

I tell you this story for a reason. It is sure not to boast. Is to inspire you. It makes you understand that if you want it bad enough, its good to take. POWER! Wisdom! RESISTANCE! You have inside you. Now - let him out. Get in the water!

Do not make the same mistakes I did. I did very well all wrong when I tried to make a fast swimmer.

I read books. I swam thousands of length, capacity of all my bad habits. I swam with miles and miles buoys, because my feet were sinking. I listened my way through the water. It took me 10 years to take 15 minutes of my original swim Hawaii. The gun was leaving and I move my arms as fast as I could for 2.4 miles.

It took years, but I quickly discovered that I had to slow down in order to swim faster. I learned that swimming and relaxing by using the natural buoyancy that we have all been the answer. It was not really how fast I'm at the other end of the pool, it was: how? I finally learned that 16 shots relaxed every 25 meters is a ton better than 25 "moving his arms as fast as you can shots."

Learn how to press the top half or your body (your chest) in the water while swimming. Your lungs will act as a natural buoy and when you master the technique you will feel your legs back to the surface behind you. Its simple physics and you will see a difference in training a day. "Press your buoy" every time you swim and it will soon become natural. So count your strokes and reduce the number of strokes it takes to reach the end of the pool. When you get the hang smooth and slippery and understand buoyancy slowly beginning to increase speed. Soon your pool will improve by leaps and bounds.

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