u/CobblerAltruistic570

I am a fairly good swimmer. From picking it up again the past 8 months i’ve swam twice a week, average 3-3.5k per set, probs around 1:45/100m.

I have my first 70.3 in a few weeks (Bolton), started open water swimming last week, and struggling a fair bit. I bought a wetsuit second hand (blue seventy). I feel i get a lot more tired in open water, and i am averaging 1:54/100m for less distance. I feel like i cannot increase my speed. I read somewhere that a different wetsuit with less buoyancy might help a previously strong swimmer, whereas more buoyancy helps less strong swimmers…?

I am changing one of my weekly pool sessions to open water leading up to Bolton to get more experience, however i’m looking for any advice if anyone has any! I was hoping for a sub 35 (closer to 33)min swim on the day, i’m just struggling to get any speed. My hr is very controlled, i could be pushing harder yet i just cant get faster. I’m thinking my arms are a bit restricted maybe…

Any tips welcome!! Thanks :)

I am a 22-year old (f) uni student, racing my first 70.3 in Bolton in 4 weeks. This past year I have been on a placement year working full time, and I’ve been training the last 9 months, have a coach and followed a plan (also did Manchester marathon): feeling good!

I am looking ahead to do a full Ironman. From September, I am back in Leeds doing my last year of uni.

One option would be Leeds next year, would be very doable, would be able to train on the course very easily as i live 10 mins from the swim start. However, that’s me training all year of my last year uni. I would be quite keen to do a race before I finish uni, therefore i’m looking at doing a full either before Christmas 2026 or in the first few months of 2027.

I will never be as fit as I am come 4 weeks time, I don’t want to lose it. I would have signed up to a full in the UK for the end of this season (Leeds this year would have been perfect as I have a uni house there!), however, due to work/personal commitments I won’t be around on any race dates this summer.

I’m basically willing to sacrifice some uni life to train for a stint, as I am very disciplined. But i’m not sure I want to do that for the entire year. Also will make exams in May/June 2027 more stressful etc, which is why i would be more interested in doing a race towards the end of 2026/start 2027. I also get like 6 weeks off uni over Dec/Jan so more time to train/recover, then have more relaxed finish to my uni year.

I would feel comfortable training wise to get a race in at the end of the year as I am a very strong swimmer (easily do the distance now) and have run a marathon.

Any comments/suggestions for races abroad in that timeline? Preferably Europe but willing to go further a field. Or am I crazy. I know I am crazy but anyone who does this sport is crazy therefore, it’s ok?😂

Thanks!

- Ambitious 22 year old