how much harder is swimming in open water vs pool?

biking and running are fairly easy but im worried about the swimming.


pretty sure im going to be the last person out of 275 to finish.

The current varies daily usually; but it's a tad bit more difficult. Especially if you're going against the current or it's a strong side current.

i dont swim for very long, but id imagine it to be FUN

as i think challenging my body is fun to me.

that seems pretty crazy actually.. I can do the .93 mile swim at decent time in a pool but with even a slight current that could make it way harder

problem is i have two weeks until the tri and my rotator cuff has been throbbing during swim training




swimming is a really unique feeling for me.. it's like i can't even put my finger on why i'm tired. air is never that big of an issue and neither is muscle fatigue. guess it's a combo of both.

but i've been running weightlifting and exercising in general for 8+ years and nothing is harder than climbing while cycling

This post was edited by fingerling on Aug 1 2014 11:03pm

my coworker has been interested in doing it (he does half marathons regularly). he said swimming is by far the hardest, biking the easiest. the one he was considering doing was in the cold season, and the water is actually incredibly cold. they have people in boats to help if people are in trouble.

I've done a few triathlons, and open water swimming is completely different. Especially in a race format with huge crowds, it can be very frustrating. It's very aggressive, as people are swimming over you, you get kicked grabbed and hit... Sometimes if you don't feel like being up front it's better to take it a bit wider and allow yourself some space.

Are you doing a full triathlon with a 3.8km swim/180km bike/42km run? or a sprint or olympic distance.

olympic distance. .93 swim 25 bike 6 run

really nervous about the swim. there are no places around here to swim open water. tried to do it at a lake/park but they wont let me. plus it's freaky as hell being in the middle of a big, dark lake by yourself


and biking is not easy... only way biking is easy is people who get to speed and then coast for a bit then get speed and coast, etc. Continually pushing and going cycling is harder than swimming or running imo.

If it's Olympic distance I wouldn't worry about the swim too much, if indoor is your only option it will be fine. Should only take you somewhere in the 15-20 min range? Before the race I would work on your transitions a bit... having a 5 min transition from swim-bike can really eat into a good time.

it's my first triathlon and no way in hell im swimming at 4mph for 15 minutes :DD

idc about my time i just want to finish and bike/run the whole time

Yeah no matter what distance, any triathlon is still a great accomplishment!

Good luck to you!