Tri Zones Training

I'm not sure how the swim angels will be lined up this year, and I have sent an email to the swim course coordinator.  I'll post his reply as soon as I hear back from him.

Tracy
Danskin Austin Athlete Information Director

If you can't find Tracy at the Info Booth, feel free to stop by the Trizones booth and any one of us will be happy to talk to you about open water swimming.   Plenty of people worry about the open water swim, but its really not that bad.  I was nervous my first time and just did the breast stroke the entire way.  I still do a lot of breast stroking 5 years later, but its a great way of catching your breathe and getting your heart rate back down to normal without losing any forward progress.   I'm sure you'll do just fine!

I know that they are going to have at least 18 kayakers and about 24 swim angles out there to watch you swim by them in turbo mode. You will do great on the swim.

I have a couple of anecdotes to share...

My cousin did the Danskin swim (on a relay) a few years ago. She trained, but was still scared of the water, and was not the best swimmer. She ended up asking a swim angel to follow her, and that's exactly what happened. She ended up not even needing her, but knew that she was there, just in case. 

The other little anecdote is that another friend of mine did it last year and got into some trouble. She was spotted and assisted IMMEDIATELY by about 3 different people. Even she was surprised at how quickly they were on it. 

You've been training and you will do great!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement.  I actually learned to swim for this triathlon, so training for me was more of learning how to swim as well.  That's why I'm so nervous.

Shayla and Tracy- I will look for you both tomorrow!

Verretc-  Thanks for the anecdotes.  It's good to know that I can at least ask a swim angel to follow me in case I run into some trouble.

Looking forward to Sunday!

I have received word from the Swim Course Coordinator --

He says the course will be extremely well supported.  There will be about 2 dozen Swim Angels, over 20 safety kayaks/canoes, and over 20 lifeguards.  Swim Angels are assigned to swim with every wave.  If you ever feel you need support, it should not be difficult for you to find a Swim Angel (or for one to find you!)

The Swim Course Coordinator asked me to pass along the following:
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I usually tell them to trust their training, trust themselves, and trust that they can finish so long as they have done their homework.  Get out in the water before the race and meditate.  Feel the calmness of the water and relax.  Visualize the race and relax. Line up and swim outside the group so that you are not caught up in the frenzy of swimmers...  Swim within your limits concentrating on staying calm and focusing on the goal. They will finish so long as they focus on the above and borrowing from Dori the fish (Nemo)... Keep on swimming, keep on swimming...  What do we do... We swim, swim, swim. You gotta love Dori.
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:-)

You're going to do great!  I should be a the Info Booth or the Tri Zones booth at the Expo -- feel free to come by and say hello!

Coach Tracy
Danskin Austin Athlete Information Coordinator