In this week’s open water swim session, we covered a few of the things I learned (or was reminded of!) during the Ironman Leeds swim last week. Race day always teaches you something – often the hard way – and although I swam the 3.8k in 56 minutes I came away with a few skills that felt worth revisiting right away.
Don’t Start Too Hot
I started the swim feeling okay, but having been placed in a slower pen, I found myself subconsciously trying to make up time. Why? I’m not even sure – probably a mix of nerves, ego, and misplaced urgency. Midway through the first lap, the effort had tipped over. I was breathing hard, the form had gone, and that old familiar ‘you’re swimming too fast’ panic started to whisper.
So I did what I’ve told plenty of others to do: slowed it all down.
A few quiet words. A longer stroke. A return to the breath. It took a little while, but eventually the calm came back, and the effort started to feel like mine again – sustainable, steady, in control.
That moment mattered. And it’s something we practiced in our session this week: recognising the signs, hitting reset, and taking ownership of your rhythm before it all unravels.
Breathe Both Sides – And Stay Straight When You Do
We also revisited the skill of breathing on both sides – not in a bilateral breathing rhythm – but the ability to breathe on both sides. In training, it’s easy to default to your favourite side. But on race day, you don’t always get the luxury of clear water. When there are arms, legs, bodies, and waves in your face every time you breathe, being able to switch sides is a genuine advantage. It gives you options – and options mean calm.
That said, switching sides can also throw you off. I noticed it at Leeds – drifting slightly when I breathed to the “wrong” side. Not wildly, but enough to cause frustration and inefficiency.
So today, as well as breathing on both sides for long periods, we focused on staying straight regardless of which side we’re breathing on. Regular sighting. Good lines. Keeping the effort smooth and intentional.
Swimming In Traffic
The third focus was congestion. Because let’s be honest – swimming close to other people is a skill in itself.
At Leeds, starting further back than I’d planned meant I spent most of the swim overtaking. It was constant. And that brings a new layer of awareness: Who’s around you? Where are the gaps? What’s the best line? Can you get through cleanly without burning matches or throwing your rhythm?
But I also thought about the swimmers I was overtaking. What’s it like for them? Getting passed without warning can easily knock your confidence.
So we practiced both perspectives this week. Swimming in packs. Navigating through. Staying calm while being overtaken.
Because the more comfortable you are in a crowd, the less reactive you become. And that gives you the freedom to swim your race – even when it’s busy out there.
Three lessons. All useful. All trainable. And all small things that add up to a smoother, calmer, more confident swim – on race day and beyond.
What About You?
Did you learn anything from your own race day recently – something that surprised you, challenged you, or changed the way you think about swimming?
Or if you’re building towards a race, is there something here you’ll take into your next open water session?
Let’s keep learning, sharing, and getting better – together.
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