3 Speed Drills for Open Water Triathlon Training

For swimmers who spend most of their training in the controlled environment of a pool, adjusting to the unpredictable open water can be a challenge.
Before you hit the open water, incorporate specific activities into your training to make the transition easier — and safer.
Of course, the best way to adjust is to swim in the open water as much as possible before heading out with a large group or participating in a triathlon with a mass start. Not only will you get to practice using large landmarks to swim straight, your workout won't be interrupted by stopping and turning at a wall.
Since most of us don't have that option, here are some easy-to-implement drills you can do in the pool to become a better open water swimmer. Best of all, you can do them without adding any additional time to your typical pool workout.
Move Away From the Wall
Deep-water starts are common in triathlons. Even if it's a beach start, you may stop to rest during the swim and need a way to quickly get back into a rhythm. Practice deep-water starts by moving a few yards away from the wall so you can't use it to push off.
Allow your body to settle somewhere between vertical and horizontal, just like you would right before the gun goes off. Take off quickly, get into your rhythm and swim at least a full lap before stopping. Do anywhere from six to 10 repetitions, at least once a week, in the last six to eight weeks before your key race.
Play with Some Speed
Fartlek, or speed play, is an excellent way to mimic what really happens during an open water swim. Whether you need to swim around a slower swimmer or pick up the pace to draft another person or group, it's easy to incorporate this into your regular training without adding time.
For example, during your long swim sessions, crank-up the pace for short bursts —anywhere from 25 to 100 yards — then settle back into your planned session pace. For the best results, start when you're away from the wall in order to simulate being in the open water as much as possible.
It's also a good idea to occasionally stop during one of these repeats, just like you might during your race. This way, you can practice a deep water start and speed play at the same time.
Hold Your Head Up and Look
Unlike using the lane lines under the water in a pool, to swim straight in the open water, you have to use things above the water to get your bearings.
An easy way to do this is to throw a water polo ball or volleyball in the lane with you and lift your head to find it every five to 10 strokes. This teaches you how to quickly spot an object such as a course buoy, floating on the water. If you practice this regularly, you'll become more comfortable with lifting your head, sighting an object and getting back into a swim rhythm.
When you swim up on the ball, it's also a good idea to take a few strokes pushing the ball down the pool like you would in water polo. This requires you to keep your head up for a few strokes, which you will likely need to do in the open water when waves make it difficult to see the buoys.
Bonus Tip: Swimming With Other Racers
There's not much you can do to simulate bodies swimming around (and over) you, but there are some ways to get more comfortable swimming with groups. Try training with a water polo team, jumping in a crowded lane at your local masters swim group, joining a triathlon swim group, or even getting a couple of friends to swim next to you in the lane while you do laps.
If you can build these drills into your swim training six to eight weeks before your next race, you'll arrive more confident for your open water start. Sometimes, just knowing you've trained for the unknowns can calm your mind and help you take on whatever the day delivers.
Jay Zacharias is a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and licensed primary sports nutritionist. He's been involved with triathlon since 1981 and is co-founder of TriathlonExperts.com, the leading community for self-coached triathletes. Grab your free short and long-course training plans by visiting triathlonexperts.com.
This article originally appeared on Active.com — your source for information, training plans, expert advice and everything you need to connect with the sport you love.
The views expressed in this article are the opinion of the author and not necessarily the practices of USA Triathlon. Before starting any new diet or exercise program, you should check with your physician and/or coach.

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The average person puts on 5-10 pounds during the holiday season.  And, about 90% of new-year’s resolutions fail.  So why do we wait until the first of the new year to “make a resolution” to lose weight and get in shape?  But, we are not doomed for this yearly failure if we do two things- plan ahead and take small steps.
Instead of telling ourselves that we won’t overeat this year, and that we’ll “be good”, we need a better plan of attack.  And, that plan starts NOW.  The sooner we can create healthy habits, the more likely we’ll follow them through the upcoming season of temptations. And, start small, Rome was not built in a day!  Start by doing one “healthier” thing in your routine, not becoming healthy in a day.  Think about your schedule, and plan time to implement your healthier practices- taking a walk or going to the gym, cooking healthier meals (for some, cooking at all), and drink more water to name a few.  Making daily healthier choices is easier than making abrupt, drastic changes which are usually short-lived. Becoming healthier is not a 6-wk diet plan, it’s a lifestyle progression.
-Stephanie DeFoe
Owner of The Ridge Gym and Fitness Center, LLC, Ardmore, TN