Swimming Rocks!

[Darthwader]

Just got back into the pool after a brief hiatus;(boy I missed those laps!). pulled off 28 Laps in a 25yd pool in about 45 minutes, I'm no water rocket, but I sure would love to get a 40 sec lap.
just a thought, but what do you think is more important, speed or endurance?

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Darthwader

Just got back into the pool after a brief hiatus;(boy I missed those laps!). pulled off 28 Laps in a 25yd pool in about 45 minutes, I'm no water rocket, but I sure would love to get a 40 sec lap.
just a thought, but what do you think is more important, speed or endurance?

both... you need to be able to have speed when you need it, or endurance when you need it...

without fins, my best lap time is about 23 seconds, with fins, around 17 seconds... but I can't do that for long, 3-4 laps at best...

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by Darthwader

Just got back into the pool after a brief hiatus;(boy I missed those laps!). pulled off 28 Laps in a 25yd pool in about 45 minutes, I'm no water rocket, but I sure would love to get a 40 sec lap.
just a thought, but what do you think is more important, speed or endurance?

I would have to say endurance. You never know how far you'll have to swim and it helps to be able to keep on cranking. When I was getting ready for my DM swim test, I stated swimming regularly a few months ahead of time and worked my way to 1000 meters twice a week. Took me around a half hour to complete (I gained speed over time). When it came time to take the various swim tests I sqeaked by on the speed test and finished several minutes early on the longer fin/mask/snorkle test. Once, a guy was in the lane next to me and was determined to beat me from one end to another (he kept lookong over to check where I was at). After a few laps of that he started to slow and I overtook hi with my same plodding rate. He quit about halfway through my session, then looked over and laughed "tortoise and the hare, huh?". Just my 2 psi.

[Darthwader]

Originally Posted by mitsuguy

without fins, my best lap time is about 23 seconds, with fins, around 17 seconds... but I can't do that for long, 3-4 laps at best...

My best time was 45 seconds, couldn't seem to break it. My best distance was 80 laps. right now I'm averaging 11 strokes/25yds. I can feel that I'm not pulling hard enough, so I need to improve that. Seems I've been getting my distances up, but not my speed.
I'm pretty certain certain I'll never approach anywhere near the 35sec mark but I need to if I want to average 40sec.
Regardless, I've not found an activity better I'm pumped for the rest of the day after a good pool session.

[mm_dm]

Check out the book "Total Immersion". I think it has a video as well. It shows you how to better position your body in the water and make better use of your stroke.

[Darthwader]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

I would have to say endurance. You never know how far you'll have to swim and it helps to be able to keep on cranking. When I was getting ready for my DM swim test, I stated swimming regularly a few months ahead of time and worked my way to 1000 meters twice a week. Took me around a half hour to complete (I gained speed over time). When it came time to take the various swim tests I sqeaked by on the speed test and finished several minutes early on the longer fin/mask/snorkle test. Once, a guy was in the lane next to me and was determined to beat me from one end to another (he kept lookong over to check where I was at). After a few laps of that he started to slow and I overtook hi with my same plodding rate. He quit about halfway through my session, then looked over and laughed "tortoise and the hare, huh?". Just my 2 psi.

I never swam competitively, so I have no formal training; consequently, I'm not imtimidated by the swimmers who seem to crank out three laps to my one (seems that way anyway!). I kind of consoled/resigned myself to the fact that, I may never go as fast as I want, but I may atleast go as far as I want! I did notice however that as I improved in the pool, posture, technique, stamina, my times did improve. I think that I just need a good regimen and solid coaching to get my times down. There's an event in Chicago called the Big Shoulders swim that I'd derely love to attend, and complete, so I do need to focus more on the clock.
BTW, it was the DM requirements that got me thinking about distance. I'm not there yet, but I do want my DM cert. eitherway, I've found that swimming allwos me to enjoy diving more.

Originally Posted by mmdm

Check out the book "Total Immersion". I think it has a video as well. It shows you how to better position your body in the water and make better use of your stroke.

Thanks, I'll get it look

[frogman159]

I used to swim competitvly my best time was 26 sec 50 yard, but that was 10 years ago

Instead of just banging out laps, using a pace clock and a workout will get you more speed and endurance at the same time.

As an example:
10 x 100 Freestyle on 1:40
This means swim ten 100-yard swims in 1:40 including rest. If you swim the 100 yards in 1:20 seconds, you'll have 20 seconds rest. If you swim the 100 yards in 1:35 seconds you'll only get 5 seconds rest.

After this set give yourself 2 minutes rest and do something similair with 50 yard sprints, 200yard swims top it off with a 500 yarder and in no time, you'll be mistaken for a fish

[Darthwader]

Originally Posted by frogman159

I used to swim competitvly my best time was 26 sec 50 yard, but that was 10 years ago

Instead of just banging out laps, using a pace clock and a workout will get you more speed and endurance at the same time.

As an example:
10 x 100 Freestyle on 1:40
This means swim ten 100-yard swims in 1:40 including rest. If you swim the 100 yards in 1:20 seconds, you'll have 20 seconds rest. If you swim the 100 yards in 1:35 seconds you'll only get 5 seconds rest.

After this set give yourself 2 minutes rest and do something similair with 50 yard sprints, 200yard swims top it off with a 500 yarder and in no time, you'll be mistaken for a fish

Appreciate the tip, I'll give that a try. So far all I've been doing is "banging out laps." I swap out routines with the kick board and pull float, but for the most part, I don't really have a structured plan. I've been using the book Swimming for Fitness as a guide, but I haven't followed it as closely as I should.
My concern is that if your best was 26sec then I'm not too optimistic that at 46 I'll be able to make a 35 sec goal.

[frogman159]

Originally Posted by Darthwader

My concern is that if your best was 26sec then I'm not too optimistic that at 46 I'll be able to make a 35 sec goal.

You'd be surprised a 35 second 50 yard freestyle is defintely in your reach.

Remember its easier to go from 40 seconds to 35 seconds, than it is to go from 25 seconds to 24

With a decent stroke technique and kickflip I'd bet you can get 35. Once you get around 31 seconds and below is going to require a lot of work.

[frogman159]

Oh yeah, and although it may not be popular, loose the baggy trunks, its like swimming with a parachute.

You'll probably drop 5 seconds or more off your 50 right there.