[Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

Tue Jun 7 23:29:00 UTC 2016

I would love to do it in a pool, but it will be a lake. This is a tri sprint
too. We only swim 500 yards, so not long, but it's an open swim that will
have about 250 other swimmers. We plan to give other swimmers a 5 minute
head start, but with so many, I don't think it will make a big difference to
give them a head start. Plus, I'm a pretty fast swimmer, so likely I will
catch up to a lot of them. My partner and I plan to stick to the outer
portion of the lake, avoiding the center, since less people do this,
according to my partner, who competes in several races throughout the year.

I'm totally blind, and for me, I find I lose my orientation quickly when
doing rigourous movement. The lanes in a pool help keep me from drifting too
far or losing my orientation. I used to be a dancer before I lost my sight,
and I've never been able to dance without losing my orientation in a big way
since becoming blind. This seems to happen with most activity involving lots
of movement. Running on a trail or path is fine because I can use my cane to
frequently find the edge, keeping on the correct side of the trail. Without
roped off lanes in a pool, I drift from side to side though. So I feel
tethering to my partner for an open swim is best, it's just figuring out
what works best.

Thanks again for all the advice and support.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Jason Polansky via Sportsandrec
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 3:21 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jason Polansky <jpolansky.nfb at gmail.com>; Kelly Thornbury
<kthornbury at bresnan.net>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

I did a sprint triathlon last month. Will you be swimming in a pool or lake?
The one I did was in a pool at a university near my home town. The officials
set it up so my buddy and I were the last ones in the pool, so I would not
have to worry about running into anyone. The other athletes had to duck
under the lane lines each time they hit each end of the pool. We just
thought it would be easier to start last, and we were mainly just doing it
for fun. However, we beat a good many people since we were both pretty good
swimmers.

> On Jun 7, 2016, at 3:59 PM, Kelly Thornbury via Sportsandrec
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I have never tethered on the swim. In fact, I thought I had read in one
rulebook that being tethered during the swim was not allowed. It allows for
the possibility of "towing." Around the torso may interfere with the
freestyle stroke if you swim side-by-side, plus it puts a barrier that other
swimmers me catch. If you swim in line it's not such an issue. 
> 
> Hey Mr. Shaw, it's been too long. 
> Kelly
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jun 7, 2016, at 09:13, Joe Shaw via Sportsandrec
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Good morning.
>> Body tether for the swim, it goes around the torso and wrist tethers for
the run with a tandom bike.
>> I'm considering dipping in a toe myself.
>> Joe Shaw
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gaston Bedard via Sportsandrec" 
>> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>> To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'" 
>> <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: "Gaston Bedard" <gasbedard at videotron.ca>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 10:00 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> Bridgit
>>> 
>>> I'm in a rush at the moment.
>>> I'm a runner and swimmer, totally blind.
>>> I do know that the International Paralympic Committee, has rules and 
>>> regulations pertaining to blind triathletes.
>>> I believe the blind runner is tethered to the guide in the run portion.
>>> 
>>> I can look it up later on, if you like.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>>> Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Sportsandrec
>>> Sent: June-06-16 8:35 PM
>>> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>>> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I'm new to the list. I'm training for a triathlon, and I've never 
>>> done it as a blind person. My partner and I have a device that's two 
>>> poles with handles at the end. She's in front, and I'm in the back. It
seems to work well.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> However, for the swim, I'm not sure what's the best way to be 
>>> tethered. I actually an concerned that once we tether, my swim 
>>> skills will lessen. Swim is my strength, but we have yet to try it 
>>> connected. It will also be an open swim the day of the race, so for 
>>> me, being connected somehow may be best since I could lose my
orientation.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Any advice and suggestions? How have others done open swims with a
partner?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Thanks.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Bridgit
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
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