Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?

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2009-07-13 8:46 AM

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Subject: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
I have been swimming for about 1 year now (starting from basically no technique).  I am THRILLED with my freestyle progress an I actually love swimming now (at least in a pool, but I digress).

I swim with a Masters group 2x per week with a coach.  I have learned proper breast stroke and back stroke in the last year, but I don't spend a lot of time on them.  For example, as a part of the main set today we did 6 x 300s and on 2 of the 6 300s, every 4th length was stroke.

I don't mind mixing it in like that.

Our coach would like us to spend more time on stroke work and she thinks that it will make us better, faster swimmers in our freestyle.

Do you do stroke work in your tri training?  What are your thoughts on this?  Thanks!

2009-07-13 9:34 AM
in reply to: #2280537

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Master
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?

I think swimming back, breast and fly helps you become an overall stronger and more complete swimmer.  I usually choose non-freestyle when we do sets with "your choice".   On the other hand I skip our Tuesday workouts which have a strong IM (individual medley, not ironman!) focus since I think this is the least beneficial workout for me.

Brian   

2009-07-13 9:46 AM
in reply to: #2280537

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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
I should add ...

I recognize stroke work could be beneficial, but is it better than doing only freestyle? 
For example, doing core work will help in all areas of tri training, but to get faster on the bike, I would ride the bike, not do core work.

I figure we will do some stroke work, I just am trying to get a sense of what is the "appropriate" amount (for a non-former HS or college swimmer, I know swimmers like to do stroke work).
2009-07-13 9:53 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
If you know how to do them, I think some stroke work is great!  Develops different muscles.  Adds variety.  Keeps it interesting. 
2009-07-13 9:57 AM
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?

Our masters swim group (aka more Tri'ers in this group) consists of mainly breast and free strokes.  Our stroke work mainly focuses on different parts of the form (the pull, full extension, body rotation, etc.)  

 

I think it helps and gives variety through the workout.

2009-07-13 10:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
We do a lot of drills that work on freestyle or stroke to focus on each part of the form too.  I like the varierty stroke provides too, just wasn't sure the right balance (so as to not do too much stroke work to the detriment of spending time on freestyle).

2009-07-13 10:09 AM
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
Throwing in some other strokes will help your swim for sure. It doesn't need to dominate the workout. For me personally, when I need to get in shape, I do IM's. Kick's my butt and works like a charm.
2009-07-13 10:13 AM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
As much as I think stroke work is good for triathletes, I still do 95+% of my yardage in freestyle.  

Brian 
2009-07-13 10:13 AM
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
my swim coach absolutely thinks it makes all of us better at freestyle (and she has proven this to us a few times with IM sets followed by free....)

When Master's gives a choice (like friday we had IM sets and then longer sets that were EITHER IM or free) I choose free but I definitely think that the other strokes actually make your freestyle better.
2009-07-13 10:23 AM
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Subject: RE: Masters Swimmers - Do you do stroke work in your tri training?
That settles it then, I just need to HTFU and do more stroke work
I won't let it take over but I will do it with a smile and know that it is helping my freestyle!
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