This is the second article in a series to get you and me ready for the Brett Robinson Triathlon on May 3, 2008 at the Gulf State Park Pavilion. The first leg of the race is a 1,000 yard swim in the Gulf of Mexico. The swim portion of the race course will start and end on the beach at the “new” pavilion in the Gulf State Park. The course will be marked by large inflated buoys that you swim around. The race day water temperature should be in the range of 70-78 degrees. 

If you don’t know how to swim, it may be too late to learn for the race. You could try one of the local YMCA’s or swim teams for lessons. At this point I will assume that you are able to swim and are in ok health. 1,000 yards swimming is 40x25 yards. 25 yards is the standard length of most area swimming pools. On race day the fast swimmers will finish the swim course in about 12-16 minutes. The rest of us will be spending 20-30 minutes in the water. 

 To get ready I recommend that you start swimming 20 minutes continuously three times a week. Swim as many laps as you comfortably can during that time. There is no need to spend more time in the water. You cannot focus all your training on one element of the race. Start out with freestyle and then alternate with some sort of breaststroke when you get tired. Switch back to freestyle as your wind returns and you get stronger. Try not to walk in the pool or hang onto the walls. Forget about trying flip turns, there are no walls in the Gulf for you to push off. After a few weeks, you will get stronger at swimming freestyle and do less breaststroke.  That is the goal. Breaststroke will still be useful during the race so that you can see the buoys that mark the race course in the gulf. 

You can start your swim training at the Snook Family YMCA, 970-3003, in Foley, or you can go to my home pool at the David L. Bodenhamer Center, 968-1420, in Gulf Shores. One of my favorite local pools is the Orange Beach Aquatic Center, 974-7946. I like it because the pool is outdoors. No need swim in the Gulf this month, the water is about 60 degrees right now.   

To register for the Brett Robinson Alabama Gulf Coast Triathlon go to www.team-magic.com. Right now the cost to register is $60 for an individual and $95 for a relay team. You can register online or download a form to complete and mail. Sponsors are also needed; please contact Michelle Russ of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau at 251-974-4631. If you just want to watch and get an up close view, maybe being a volunteer is for you so visit www.alabamabeachsports.com.  

About the author:

A 1982 graduate of the University of South Alabama, David Lloyd is a triathlon veteran after participating in more than 100 events in the last 18 years. His career highlight so far has been finishing the 2006 Ironman Florida, which features a 112 mile bike ride. David resides in Gulf Shores with his wife and two daughters.