5 reasons to enter a swimming race this winter (even though we know you really don’t want to)

For most triathletes, the swim is the part of racing in which they have the least confidence. Cycling and running are hard, but there is so much less technique involved in these sports compared to swimming. If you didn’t grow up training in the water, it can be very difficult to develop good form and to get fast. Because of this, many triathletes would never dream of entering a swimming-only race, but we think that’s exactly what you should do this winter. We know you don’t want to, but at least hear us out.

A boost in confidence

You might not think that entering a swimming race will be a confidence-booster for you, but there’s a good chance that will be the case. Even though you train in the pool on a regular basis, this is essentially a new sport for you as you venture into swim-specific racing. It’s going to be very different from racing a triathlon, and while that’s daunting, it will give you a new appreciation and understanding for the sport. You’ll learn a lot about yourself in a swimming race, and odds are you’ll exit the pool brimming with confidence after tackling such a scary endeavour.

Better swim training

You might be holding back in swim training. This isn’t your fault—you have two other sports to focus on in addition to swimming. Plus, the swim is the shortest part of a triathlon, and while it’s still important, you might have convinced yourself that the bike and run are more necessary to train. Well, there is nowhere to hide when you enter a swimming-only race, and that realization will lead to a mental shift in your training.

You’re probably going to train scared as you approach this race, which will make you give it your all simply to avoid embarrassment. After this experience, you’ll see just how hard you can really push in the pool, which will only benefit your triathlon training as a whole.

Develop a love for swimming

A lot of triathletes love triathlon but only tolerate swimming. This is a shame, because swimming is such a wonderful sport. If you dedicate more time and energy to it as you prepare for a swim race, you’ll probably develop a greater appreciation (and maybe even a love) for it, and this will increase your overall enjoyment of triathlon training.

Get out of your comfort zone

When you first got started in triathlon, so many things were pushing you outside of your comfort zone. Because of this, you grew so much, not just as an athlete, but likely as a person, too. Since then, however, you’ve grown used to triathlon, so we have to ask: when was the last time you really pushed your limits and ventured outside of your comfort zone? A swimming race will do just that. You might not fall in love with swim racing, but it’s worth trying it out to see how much you can push yourself.

It can be stress-free

You’re a competitive person, so you’ll probably want to perform well in your swim race, but try to remind yourself that it really doesn’t matter. This is an off-season pursuit for you, and while it would be great to get a win, that’s not the point of entering the race. The point is to push your limits and try something new, and you’ll be doing that no matter how you perform on the day. With that in mind, the race can become a stress-free activity. With that mindset it might even be fun.