My triathlon swim was cancelled. What now?
Let’s start with the hard truth – you trained for a complete event, not expecting your triathlon swim to be cancelled. It’s absolutely frustrating – yes! It happened to me recently. Had it been my first half-Ironman, I probably would have felt even more frustrated than I was.
Here’s the thing though – as endurance athletes, this is what we do! We adapt, we overcome, we problem-solve – sometimes ahead of time, other times like in this case, on the fly. Triathlon race day adjustments are often times inevitable. While we hope for the best race conditions possible, we race with what we’re given and not always what we wish for.
Ultimately, it’s another version of race day hiccups and a situation to file under “I wasn’t planning on crossing this bridge but here we are now”. You’ve trained and are more than ready for it!
So, what can you do if your triathlon swim gets cancelled? Here’s a few tips that helped me when my triathlon swim was cancelled at IRONMAN 70.3 Texas in 2025. I hope they help you too if you find yourself in the same situation!
Five Things To Do If Your Triathlon Swim Was Cancelled
1. Reset Your Mindset – Fast and Firm
Allow yourself 10 minutes of frustration and disappointment – it’s only natural to feel this way – then, shift gears! This situation doesn’t make it any less of a race, nor does it make it “incomplete” – you’re still racing and in it.
From personal experience when my triathlon swim was cancelled, I realized many athletes seemed to be mentally quitting the race before even hopping on the bike. While it’s totally normal to feel that way, this is the time to recalibrate and focus on the bike and the run still standing.
A quick thought too on this particular point- I can’t imagine how difficult it must be as an IRONMAN official to make the decision to cancel a swim. I imagined myself in their shoes, knowing many athletes are traveling from all over the world for an event like this, only to find that the swim is cancelled.
In my case, the swim was cancelled because the water was unsafe. Support kayaks and boats weren’t able to stay in place with how much the wind was blowing. Add to it that it was very cloudy and dark, rainy, and very cold, and you can start to see why it was cancelled. When I saw the chop out on the bay for myself during the run (at that point it was already very sunny), I silently thanked the organizers for having cancelled the swim. It was absolutely the right call to make, however disappointing it may have been at the time.
2. Stick To Your Pacing Plan
My triathlon swim was cancelled – so I’ve got more energy! Well…
The temptation will be to push harder thinking you’re fresher – and while there may be truth to it, make sure to stay disciplined and stick to your pacing plan. The course will still challenge you, often in other ways (wind, weather, etc.). Stay within your planned watts, HR zones, or perceived effort and don’t burn your matches early. It’s still a long day ahead!
I personally find I always start off too fast, spiking my heart rate and then struggling to bring it back down. It happens because of adrenaline, feeling “too good” at mile 5 of the bike, etc. Control the first 30-60 minutes of the bike to set yourself up for a strong overall race.
3. Make Sure You Know The Updated Starting Format
In my case at Ironman 70.3 Texas, the race started with a time-trial bike start. What this means is that bikes were being released from the corrals every 5 seconds, two by two, until all athletes were out on the course. The time trial started with low bib numbers, and went in order all the way through the last ones.
Something to note with safety on the ride in this case, is that, as opposed to the swim – where faster swimmers typically start first, end the swim first, and are off to the bike ride first again – time trial starts have everyone mixed in together. This means there may be very fast riders towards the back, and slower riders towards the front.
Make sure you are aware at all times of your surroundings, using “on your left” and general bike safety sense! I found I was being passed by very fast riders for a few miles until I found my pace group. I was thankful they were always loud and clear when coming up behind me – some zoomed by so fast I barely had time to notice!
4. Don’t Adjust Your Nutrition Plan – Trust The Process
While not swimming does translate into a lower caloric and carb need, it doesn’t mean we should skip parts of, or adapt our plan too much for the race that’s still ahead.
Essentially, try not to experiment with any changes, and eat and drink carbs and electrolytes as if the swim was still on. Carb load as you would if nothing had changed, and begin your fueling plan as normal, at the time you had planned.
5. Visualize The Race Ahead
There’s still a challenge in front of you!
Just like point number four, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a shorter day equals an easier day. The legs may feel fresher at first (and your arms, shoulders, from not having to swim), but fatigue will build up too. As noted in point two, stick to your pacing plan to ensure you don’t cook the legs on the bike, and you’re ready for the run.
Visualize the rest of the race that still lies ahead. There’s still a long ride, and a long run to go! The challenge is still very real. You’ve trained for this!
Now, On To A Few Things Of What Not To Do
1. Don’t Let Your Emotions (Frustration, Anger, etc.) Win!
I panicked and was frustrated quite a bit before Ironman 70.3 Texas when my own triathlon swim was cancelled.
Ultimately though I found that the frustration of not swimming was eating up crucial mental energy that I know I would need later in the day. As mentioned before, I tried my best to feel the feelings, then let them go. “Nothing I can do now but bike and run, and the quicker I acknowledge it, the less mental fatigue I’ll accrue.”
2. Don’t Assume The Race Will Be Easier
I fell for this trap!
“I’m not swimming, so it’ll be nice and steady and I can push faster, quicker.”
HA! The weather had different plans. Everyone out on the course still faced gnarly and cold head-tails-and-side winds throughout the entire 56 mile bike ride! I am glad I caught myself in time to not push it too hard off the starting line. Had I not assumed it would be easier though – I think in hindsight – I would have felt more mentally prepared for the bike and run ahead.
3. Try To Avoid Thinking “What If?”. Easier Said Than Done – I Know!
I can empathize with how you’re feeling. You trained long days, weeks, and months for this – and now your triathlon swim was cancelled.
It stings!
But, I learned from my experience and from talking to other athletes that obsessing over it wasn’t going to change my race day.
The morning of the race, I really tried to shift my focus to how I can best execute with the conditions that were now being presented. You’re still racing, and you’re still racing a complete race as it was given to you, so let’s go!
A Parting Thought
You trained hard, and your triathlon swim got cancelled – it hurts, for sure. It’s disappointing, and it’s frustrating. But, when we think of it, endurance racing is rarely perfect. The cancelled swim is simply one version of the unexpected, of the “bridge we’ll cross when we get there”. Adapt, adjust, race smart. There’s still a race ahead, and the challenge is calling.
Have you had a triathlon swim cancelled before? Share any tips, lessons, or “race day curveballs” stories below! I feel we’ve all got one!
As always, thank you for being here, I appreciate you and hope you’re doing great – in whatever part of the journey you find yourself in!
fortitudine vincimus
triathlon_ram
