Training plan question - swimming volume

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Training plan question - swimming volume Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2013-01-20 11:12 PM

User image

Member
41
25
Subject: Training plan question - swimming volume

Next week I am about to start the Olympic to Half IM Bridge - 12 Week training plan.  I am curious about why the swimming segment starts with a 3200 yard swim on the 2nd day of the plan. Since this is 1100 yards more than the event it seems excessive.  I could certainly use the time on other elements... thoughts?

 

 

2013-01-21 1:19 AM
in reply to: #4587403

User image

Expert
1375
1000100100100252525
McAllen
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume

If you only swim the race distance volume in practice you won't really build effective swim muscles. 2,000 yards doesn't get much done other than technique reinforcement. For going faster in the water and doing the HIM for time means swimming over the race distance.

Also, your body recovers from swimming much faster than running and cycling unless you're doing MAD amounts of volume.

2013-01-21 2:03 AM
in reply to: #4587453

User image

Extreme Veteran
1332
100010010010025
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
odpaul7 - 2013-01-21 1:19 AM

If you only swim the race distance volume in practice you won't really build effective swim muscles. 2,000 yards doesn't get much done other than technique reinforcement. For going faster in the water and doing the HIM for time means swimming over the race distance.

Also, your body recovers from swimming much faster than running and cycling unless you're doing MAD amounts of volume.



Hmm.   My coach takes the position that I should build effective technique and power now, and worry about longer endurance later, and I have seen better results than I could have hoped.  I am already able to swim my HIM distance at goal race pace!

My longest swim to date is 3000m and I typically do 2000m, or if I'm really time crunched a 1500.  Coaching days are typically 2000-2600.


Edited by dfquigley 2013-01-21 2:03 AM
2013-01-21 7:31 AM
in reply to: #4587403

User image

Expert
2373
20001001001002525
Floriduh
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
I think the key is to not lose good form during your swim workout.  If you can do a solid 2000 yard workout but at 2500 it starts to breakdown, then call it a day.  I think swimming with poor form (not necessarily poor speed) could be damaging.  Personally, my workouts are 2000-2500 yards, not so much the limit of my form but more the limit of my boredom.
2013-01-21 7:38 AM
in reply to: #4587403

User image


8763
5000200010005001001002525
Boulder, Colorado
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
bspence - 2013-01-20 10:12 PM

Next week I am about to start the Olympic to Half IM Bridge - 12 Week training plan.  I am curious about why the swimming segment starts with a 3200 yard swim on the 2nd day of the plan. Since this is 1100 yards more than the event it seems excessive.  I could certainly use the time on other elements... thoughts?

 

 

Hi Scott,

A couple of reasons for the 3200 yd swim:
1. This isn't a beginner plan and assumes you can swim 1 hour.
2. Building good swim fitness leads to better bike and run fitness.
3. The more you do something, the better you'll get at it. If you are always swimming 2000 yards workouts, that's not going to help you improve.
4. When training for a 5k run or 20k bike, do you only ride and run up to those distances? I hope not!
5. Swimming is less taxing on your body then biking and running. It's easy to do solid volume and intensity without getting hurt.
6. I heard the guy who wrote the program is a pretty good coach and knows what he's doing ;-)

2013-01-21 7:43 AM
in reply to: #4587460

User image

Extreme Veteran
929
50010010010010025
, Kobenhavns Kommune
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume

dfquigley - 2013-01-21 9:03 AM My coach takes the position that I should build effective technique and power now, and worry about longer endurance later.

Better technique translates directly (ok, maybe not literally) to endurance, you become more efficient so you can go longer.

Anyway, as long as you can keep good technique throughout the entire workout, don't stop early. Time in the pool is IMO well invested, not only will you swim faster, but you'll also be much less exhausted when you get on the bike.

2013-01-21 8:52 AM
in reply to: #4587403

User image

Member
115
100
Stuart, FL
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
Both arguments are correct. Form is very important, but putting in the time and creating the muscle memory as well as building the muscles is important as well. Another 1000 yards is only going to take you another 15-20 minutes. I don't see that cutting into your other areas much.
2013-01-21 9:01 AM
in reply to: #4587557

User image

Expert
2547
200050025
The Woodlands, TX
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
mikericci - 2013-01-21 7:38 AM
bspence - 2013-01-20 10:12 PM

Next week I am about to start the Olympic to Half IM Bridge - 12 Week training plan.  I am curious about why the swimming segment starts with a 3200 yard swim on the 2nd day of the plan. Since this is 1100 yards more than the event it seems excessive.  I could certainly use the time on other elements... thoughts?

 

 

Hi Scott,

A couple of reasons for the 3200 yd swim:
1. This isn't a beginner plan and assumes you can swim 1 hour.
2. Building good swim fitness leads to better bike and run fitness.
3. The more you do something, the better you'll get at it. If you are always swimming 2000 yards workouts, that's not going to help you improve.
4. When training for a 5k run or 20k bike, do you only ride and run up to those distances? I hope not!
5. Swimming is less taxing on your body then biking and running. It's easy to do solid volume and intensity without getting hurt.
6. I heard the guy who wrote the program is a pretty good coach and knows what he's doing ;-)

 

This ^^. Also, if you can swim with good technique for 25 yards, but it falls apart after that, your problem is strength/endurance, not technique.

2013-01-21 1:34 PM
in reply to: #4587403

User image

Member
41
25
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume

Thanks everyone for the replies.. helps me reset my expectations again, as I should.  Want to spend all my time on my weakest discipline (cycling) and need reminding to equally on all to see improved results.

Regarding the distance, I don't have a problem going 3200, have done it a few times although have been more around 2500 to date.  My main focus has been on form, so I am going to take those comments to heart and make sure as I go longer I am able to maintain form. 

2013-01-21 8:32 PM
in reply to: #4587403

User image

Veteran
2297
2000100100252525
Great White North
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
3200 is not excessive. Does your plan lay out the sets for you, that matters more than 3200 vs 4200 vs 2200. I used to swim 14-15000 metres a day all the time. My primary event was 200 metres long.
2013-01-21 8:39 PM
in reply to: #4587564

User image

Extreme Veteran
1332
100010010010025
Subject: RE: Training plan question - swimming volume
erik.norgaard - 2013-01-21 7:43 AM

dfquigley - 2013-01-21 9:03 AM My coach takes the position that I should build effective technique and power now, and worry about longer endurance later.

Better technique translates directly (ok, maybe not literally) to endurance, you become more efficient so you can go longer.

Anyway, as long as you can keep good technique throughout the entire workout, don't stop early. Time in the pool is IMO well invested, not only will you swim faster, but you'll also be much less exhausted when you get on the bike.



When I started with the coach, I went from doing 3000m continuous without issue to being winded after each length, and needing a lot of breaks.

Eventually the shorter workouts were getting too fast, and they've naturally been getting a bit longer as a result :D

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Training plan question - swimming volume Rss Feed