I did a weekend workshop/ boot camp to sort my swimming out.
I did Total Immersion, But SwimSmooth is another option.
Helped me loads … to the point I’ve done a few 10k swim events.
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Biggest thing with swimming it not to try and to it alone. A lot of time can be wasted by just getting in and trying to sort it out yourself whereas a coach will be able to help out massively. Whether that is a boot camp style above or just joining your local club and going to the sessions.
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For a waist belt I use the Nathan Hipster running belt. It’s all-fabric, has tons of storage and nothing bounces in it. The lack of a zippered pocket can make it tricky to pull a phone or nutrition out with gloves or when running at paces when brain cells aren’t firing. It has room for 1 or 2 500ml soft flasks depending on the size of your phone.
For a vest, I’d suggest hitting a running store to see which one fits you best. I love Solomon vests. I like how the stretchy material and cords keep everything tight to the body and prevent bouncing. I don’t get any rubbing / hot spots.
The duration of your runs and supplies you need to carry will impact the size you need to get. I have a 12L one that I use for any run over a couple of hours. 2L bladder in the back, plus room for 2 500ml soft flasks in the front and 2 additional front pockets to hold my phone and nutrition. The zippered pocket in the back holds an emergency blanket, a life straw, Quart Ziplock bag packed with first aid supplies, and thin windbreaker. The other back-side pockets hold food and clothing.
One of these days I’m going to have to strap a hammock and sleeping bag to it and head out for a few days. 
Welcome to the lousy swimmer club!
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I second using a coach. Coming from a run/bike background, I approached swimming the same way, but it was impossible to breathe under water. I couldn’t swim a lap.
I did Total Immersion drills for 9 months 
until I had the guts to stick my head under water to try to swim a lap which I still couldn’t do successfully.
I struggled for weeks to apply the skills learned in drills to actual swimming. I’d gas out after 1-2 laps. I finally broke down and hired a masters swim coach. She said form was okay, but I needed to slow WAY down. It took me half the session of her yelling at me to slow down enough. Within one session she helped me put it all together to learn a pace that I could sustain. Then I just worked on endurance and speed after that.
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in case anyone want to join the swimming conversation and support group!
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That sounds like a really good idea.
I was pretty psyched to be able to breath out of my nose underwater today - that’s where I’m at with swimming…
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The idea of slowing down resonates. I feel very rushed at the moment, like there isn’t any flow to my movement. I need some cues to work with ideally.
This is where I’ll be spending my free time from now on!
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swimming is hard man…
Ive been trying for years and I still terrible at it.
I take some pride that although I get out almost last of the water, I can ride and run with the best of the local field…
Usually ending with a top 5-10 bike and top 5 run.
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This will be me.
Survive the swim and then enjoy the rest!
Writing that 
makes me think though, the way I’m thinking about it and framing things is all wrong!
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I mean, is it?
I learned the free style stroke when I was 33, and really learned how to do it right when I was 35. And then it took 3 years to be able to swim somewhat comfortable. It’s hard man.
Getting better at swimming is important, but we are not pros and if passing fast swimmers on your bike and run is what will keep you coming back to races, so be it
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That’s a really good point.
I’m excited to get into swimming more after taking the Duathlon option for the past few years!
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I really like UltrAspire vests, I have the Alpha 4.0 Race Vest. I think it’s been updated, but a great hydration vest. No bounce and holds plenty of stuff.
Walks into the Running Thread to find talk of swimming, double checks title to make sure I didn’t make a mistake. Okay proceed.
Stumbled in here in desperate search of some guidance or encouragement from more advanced runners. I do mostly short course triathlon stuff so my race experience is a steady stream of 5ks with the occasional 10k. It seems like I have been in a rut of running around 19:30 for my 5k for the past two years. Up until this point, I use TR to create a tri plan, and then replace the runs with runs from the 80/20 Triathlon book. With that said, my bike has always been my weakest, so running has taken the back seat and long runs are often swapped for long rides. Some weeks I am only looking at 5-10 miles of running.
With that said, I have 80/20 running book on its way to my mailbox in hope that I can focus on running this fall and be comfortably running in the 18s fairly soon. Obviously the first step is going to be gradually increasing mileage, hoping to get up to the 30-35 miles per week range.
Anyone have any other suggestions or recommendations? Thanks in advance.
Edit: Also does anyone have a running light (whether it be vest or headlamp) that they recommend? Mine died in under a month.
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I had a black diamond running light. The light was ALMOST perfect. Biggest issue, not really water proof, but water resistant. HUGE difference. My light died 3 times before warranty ran over. I loved that it had a blinking light on the back! Sadly, i cant recommend.
Now, I have an older version of this one
it was less expensive when i got it about 2 years ago. The battery can be replace and the thing doesnt get corroded with sweat or rain…
also battery last a long time because is adaptive…
https://www.amazon.com/PETZL-REACTIK-Headlamp-Bluetooth-Enabled/dp/B01JSKOQOS
The new one seems to be brighter and like $25 more expensive.
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Best of luck. Striking a balance between cycling and running is hard.
Just 2 years ago, I could go run an 18:30 5k any day.
under 6 mpm would be my normal mile repeats.
Did a 1:22 half (about 6:15 pace)…
NOW
This morining i did a 2 mile TT.
At the end I wanted to die. HR was through the roof (190s). My legs were dead.
pace…6:38. This was an all out 2 mile. I had nothing left at the end (well… maybe a bit if it was a race, but you get it).
So sad for me!
Hope you can strike a balance. I know it can be done. I just haven’t found it myself!
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I think there are many variables depending on where your run is at, but also the other disciplines. I have been going through a variety of protocols each quarter or so to see what fits and what works for me - you could do the same. A specific running coach would probably be ideal.
I disagree with this. A run specific coach will not necessarily know the need of a tri athlete.
A tri coach can probably guide you on a run skewed training (where you might gain on your running while sacrificing some cycling power, but not losing all power).
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Garmin McMillan Speed Repeat paces.
I’m using the Garmin Coach adaptive run plans and some of the paces it’s asking of me have been unachievable so I’m pondering tomorrow’s workout and looking for a sanity check?
Context: 5k PB 23:15 or 4:39/km
Ive got 6x1min @4:18-4:30/km this I think is achievable/beneficial in a Vo2max way, then 6x30s @3:41-3:53/km “fast but not sprinting”. I’m not so sure about these, I think I will have to sprint to get that fast and I’m not convinced that is beneficial. I mean they’re only 30s so…?