Best way to get swim time down?

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2008-08-06 12:46 PM


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Subject: Best way to get swim time down?

Hi, I'm going to be competing in a team event in November (olympic distance) where I'll be doing the swim. I've been swimming regularily for a couple of months (twice a week) and can now cover the 1500m in the pool comfortably in 31mins.

My question is what is the best way of reducing this time - either keep on doing the distance each time I swim and trying to do it faster or some sort of programme I see others doing with drills using the floats etc etc.

I manage to get plenty of open water practice in as well (I'm lucky enough to live in bermuda) and my technique is pretty good (i think anyway, had plenty of lessons as a kid).

Any tips/opinions welcome.

Cool

2008-08-06 12:50 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
Join a masters team where you'll get to train with other folks and have a coach looking at your technique.

-Matt
2008-08-06 12:51 PM
in reply to: #1585531

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Master
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New York
Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
General sentiment seems to be that if you're swimming >2:00/100m, you will gain the most time the quickets by working on form. So, things like
- catch up
- swim golf
- one arm drills

And to really work on getting it down, I would recommend swimming more than 2x/week - with only 2 sessions it'll be tough to realize significant gains.
2008-08-06 12:51 PM
in reply to: #1585531

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?

You need to swim 3-4 times/week at least. Also, take a look at this post from a while back. It is extremely helpful. Click on the link below.........

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=117554&start=1

2008-08-06 12:53 PM
in reply to: #1585552

Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?

KenyonTri - 2008-08-06 1:51 PM General sentiment seems to be that if you're swimming >2:00/100m, you will gain the most time the quickets by working on form. So, things like - catch up - swim golf - one arm drills And to really work on getting it down, I would recommend swimming more than 2x/week - with only 2 sessions it'll be tough to realize significant gains.

Ditto. Polish your technique and swim more. 3x a week at least, esp if you are not training the bike or run. But make SURE that your technique is good, because swimming 3-4x a week with bad form might do more harm than good.

2008-08-06 12:53 PM
in reply to: #1585531

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
Beyond fixing any technique issue's, the only answer is to swim more and swim fatster.


2008-08-06 1:07 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
Speedo used to have a slogan on one of their ads that's kind of pertinent:

It's not how far you swim
It's not how fast you swim
It's how far you swim fast
2008-08-06 3:06 PM
in reply to: #1585553

Elite
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
soretaint - 2008-08-06 1:51 PM

You need to swim 3-4 times/week at least. Also, take a look at this post from a while back. It is extremely helpful. Click on the link below.........

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=117554&start=1

 bump that to 5-6 days a week and we are in business.  My biggest gains came from 5 days a week, alternating between long slow and short fast sets.  All workouts had a warm up and cool down containing drills as well as a drill set or two between some intervals.

2008-08-06 3:36 PM
in reply to: #1585531


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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
Thanks for all the tips/links/advice guys. Look's like I need to get my out of bed a few more mornings a week then...........
2008-08-06 3:41 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?
I always recommend to all my friends the Total Immersion....get the book and DVD Video...since I started to apply the TI in my swimming I have improved my time in more than 2 minutes....but...everybody is different...but...at least try!!!
2008-08-06 3:54 PM
in reply to: #1585531

Regular
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SF Bay Area, CA
Subject: RE: Best way to get swim time down?

Swim technique and swim coaching technique has evolved.  (Although not all coaches have evolved with it) If your last lesson was when you were a kid, I can guarantee that your form needs some work.  As mentioned the best way to improve speed in swimming is to improve form.  Total Immersion books and videos's are Fricken Awesome!

Or check out some of the swimming video's on you tube.  But be carefull I saw some that just gave completely wrong advice too.

 Oh, one other way to improve speed is to use a wetsuit.

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