General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wasting my time swimming? Rss Feed  
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2011-04-14 7:31 AM

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Subject: Wasting my time swimming?

I have heard a few people say that the swim is not that important.  It is the shortest event, so I guess it makes sense.  I'm a strong swimmer.  I am training for a HIM and I can easily swim the 1.2 miles.  SO...should I still be swimming 3 times a week?  Is this a waste of my time?  I am a SLOW biker and not the fastest runner.  Would my time be better spent doing extra runs and bikes?

Thanks

Christy



2011-04-14 7:42 AM
in reply to: #3445949

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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?

Well, the better you get at swimming, the less tired you'll be starting out on the bike.  If you can swim efficiently for 1.2 miles and come out of the water without your heart racing, you'll be okay. 

You should be able to maintain your swim fitness with 2x45-60 minute training sessions per week.  Maybe.

2011-04-14 7:46 AM
in reply to: #3445949

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?
cbrookhart - 2011-04-14 7:31 AM

I have heard a few people say that the swim is not that important.  It is the shortest event, so I guess it makes sense.  I'm a strong swimmer.  I am training for a HIM and I can easily swim the 1.2 miles.  SO...should I still be swimming 3 times a week?  Is this a waste of my time?  I am a SLOW biker and not the fastest runner.  Would my time be better spent doing extra runs and bikes?

Thanks

Christy

I wouldn't go below 3x per week and that's coming from someone who hates swimming.

Being a strong swimmer doesn't mean you don't need to work on your swim fitness.  That time with your heart rate elevated is still giving you good aerobic work while putting relatively less wear and tear on your body.  Getting ahead of the pack in the water and then coming out of the water fresh is also a huge benefit. 

2011-04-14 7:47 AM
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2011-04-14 7:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?

Are your training logs up to date?

Are you following a plan?

If you are time limited, working on what you are weaker and have greater potential for gains is best use of time.

If you have more time, swim 3x a week and continue focusing on bike and run.

2011-04-14 7:57 AM
in reply to: #3445949

Master
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?

I have been thinking about this a lot recently.

I swam 2x a week while training for most of my races last year. With an occasional small 3rd workout.

I did OK at all my swims in races, but now wonder if I would have done better with an additional swim workout. I am a decent swimmer and figured that I was better off running or biking.

I think I may switch it up this year and try 3x swimming and use it as recovery from doing more intense bike/run once more a week.

So, to answer you question, no you are not wasting your time.



2011-04-14 8:01 AM
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?

I swam 8 times during my HIM training. I came out of the water in 38 minutes (fitness was not an issue....other factors were). So, yes it can be done.....I focused on the bike time/mileage during my training which helped me. Swimming used to be my "fall back" sport. When I don't feel like an hour training ride or a 6 mile run.....I'd go and swim. Great for being in the to 10% of swimmers but BOP for bike and run.

In your phrase "1.2 miles is easy"....is that in the pool where you can push off or in the open water with 100 of your closest friends swimming over you with arms and legs flailing? Is that in 68 degree water or in an 85 degree pool? If swimming is natural for you, get in an OWS or two with some friends swmming in a pack to get comfortable in the water.

Long story, short....IMO....do a run or bike focused plan but at least get in the water a few times.

2011-04-14 8:08 AM
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2011-04-14 8:24 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?
I agree with Fred. I also think it is completely dependent on your goals. If you just want to complete the race...then yes, the swim is the smallest segment of the race. If you want to be competitive at some point, you need to have a fast swim. Just like you need to have a fast bike and run. More so for Oly distance than for HIM or IM. I will also say, if you HAVE to cut back on one from a time standpoint, I would cut back the swim first.
2011-04-14 9:02 AM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?

i will usually cut back on swim first having said this i am not a swimmer never was but I am FOP in races.  always.

the way i feel is 3x per week is good enough to have good fitness.  i went from 1:45/100 to 1:15/100 in 2 years on about 7500 yrds per week. 

but in a race swim fitness plays key key role.  in a 70.3 race i tend to go much much slower.  but in a race like olympic or shorter i am all out in the water.  high z3 so if fitness is not there i am going to suffer on the bike and run.  especially since i have a fast kick. 

2011-04-14 9:11 AM
in reply to: #3445949

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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?
Since swimming is such a technique based sport, I personally find that 3 swims a week helps me keep my stroke efficient and not lose the feel of the water.  Two swims a week is definitely enough to get through the race, but I personally feel like I am short changing myself by not getting in the water every two to three days, but YMMV.


2011-04-14 9:26 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?
As others have noted, it really depends on your goals and where you have the greatest opportunity for gains from your training.  I'm a good swimmer, okay on the bike, and I get my hat handed to me on the run. 

For my HIM that I just finished, I traded off most of my swim training time for run training.  Although I didn't receive the race day payoff on the run the way I hoped (mostly a race day nutrition issue), I hardly gave up any time on the swim.  How much did I swim train?  About half an hour per week.  I still cruised comfortably through the swim below 32 minutes, which was just a couple minutes slower than I did when training closer to 2-3 hours per week swimming the last time I did the race. 

Was it worth the trade off?  Absolutely.  My run base is much improved, and I hope to reap the benefits of that improved run base down the road in later races.
2011-04-14 9:38 AM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Wasting my time swimming?
I am not a coach, nor have I studied the sport, this is just my opinion.

I did a half iron distance last July and I would never call myself a "strong swimmer."  More like weak swimmer and probably no one would argue.   I just looked at my swim frequency for the weeks in May, June and July leading up to the race.   More often than not, I swam 2 times.  About 1/3 of the time, I swam 3 times.  I had a coach and I followed her plan pretty religiously.

For that distance, the bike is SUCH a huge component.   Looking at your logs, and your own confession, you really need to spend more time riding.  If you can honestly swim 1.2 "easily", and especially if you're wearing a wet suit which will save a lot of energy, I would cut back to 2x/week.   Some weeks I might even only swim once if it meant I could ride or run another time.

If you get the nutrition worked out perfectly, have a stronger bike and run base, and don't go to hard on the swim, you'll be JUST fine.  For me, it was only 12% of the time I spent racing that day! 
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