General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Interesting swimming experience Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2014-12-13 4:44 PM


96
252525
Subject: Interesting swimming experience
I had an interesting experience in my swimming workout, which, who knows, may mean something.

I was doing a set of 10 times 100s at a good pace (which for me, is ~1:50 or less) on 2:30. So the first 5 I was really pushing and got consistently 1:47-1:48 but it wasn't a great day.

Then I took a extra minute and decided, for the last five, that I would relax a little bit, since I felt my form was slipping, and try to go about 1:50.

With noticeably less effort the last three (I ran out of time and got kicked out of the pool) were 1:42-1:43.

Just an object lesson that in swimming its as much about technique, as power output.

Sadly, I'm still basically mired in mediocrity. That is all.


2014-12-13 5:28 PM
in reply to: north_north_west

User image

Master
8247
50002000100010010025
Eugene, Oregon
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Interesting swimming experience
It's actually very common.....A lot of people try to "speed up" by basically beating the water into submission. They might be kicking more and swimming with a faster turnover, but actually get less efficient. This no doubt includes me. For some reason, short distances don't come naturally. Anything under about 1:30/100m at my current fitness (maybe 1:15 when I was a teenager) and I feel like I'm just flailing around; yesterday I did 3525m continuously at 1:42/100m (hour swim challenge) with totally consistent pacing and felt like I could have easily done another km or two at that pace.

I do have some swim background (age group and HS swimming, though not really high-powered). I was faster back in the day, when we swam as much as 50,000 yards a week, but even then I could feel the difference between 500 or 1500m and 100m. My stroke just feels different, more efficient for the longer swims, and gets better as I go on, assuming I don't go out too fast to start with. Probably some of it is stroke technique and some a matter of fast-twitch and slow twitch ratio. I've asked a couple of coaches and basically gotten the same feedback--my stroke's efficient for long distance and open water, but not for sprinting in a pool--I don't pull with enough power or something. Tried a lot of things to change that with minmal success.

Regardless, I find it helps when getting tired/slowing down to focus on taking powerful, smooth strokes rather than fast turnover. Often if you try to relax and "slow down" you're swimming with a less choppy stroke and may actually be faster.
2014-12-13 6:03 PM
in reply to: north_north_west

User image

Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Interesting swimming experience

Agreed, it's not unusual at all.  If you watch someone who is a strong swimmer, chances are when they are just cruising they look completely relaxed and effortless.  

Congratulations on discovering that, if you can stick with it and find that speed again then the trick becomes how to get faster without going back to whatever you were doing that was ultimately slowing you down.

Good luck with your new found speed!  

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Interesting swimming experience Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Interesting race day experience

Started by Tribreitz
Views: 1444 Posts: 11

2013-05-29 1:42 PM BigDaddyD79

Interesting experience with right hip flexor injury

Started by AdventureBear
Views: 2698 Posts: 16

2007-10-16 6:18 AM drdi

Interesting running experience

Started by mscotthall
Views: 824 Posts: 5

2005-12-17 4:00 PM foster00

First OW swim experience (& "Test tri")

Started by sachinh
Views: 1019 Posts: 12

2005-09-09 5:43 PM sachinh

swim strategies from experienced sprint tri doers

Started by auto208562
Views: 1109 Posts: 10

2004-12-31 4:10 PM RedCorvette
RELATED ARTICLES
date : October 4, 2011
author : MikeyT1298
comments : 6
First time triathlete conquers swim struggle and finishes at the front of the pack
 
date : August 8, 2011
author : Gina60
comments : 16
I can't run a seven-minute mile anymore, but that doesn't take away from the joy of finishing
date : April 27, 2011
author : brumby11
comments : 5
An impending baby inspires a father to become fit, along the way discovering world of triathlon
 
date : August 17, 2007
author : IRONVIKING
comments : 0
Athletes were buzzing around, adding last minute things to their transition bags. The sidewalks and grassy areas are filled with spectators and cameras. Announcements were being made.
date : October 2, 2005
author : writers2
comments : 20
My First Half Ironman Experience-A Slow, Fat, Old Triathlete. Here is my story of my first, and probably only Half Ironman. I’m an almost 52 year old, VERY Athena triathlete.