General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do you swim with a watch? Rss Feed  
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2009-06-17 10:52 AM

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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: Do you swim with a watch?
The "We love our gear" thread as well as numerous gear vs. no gear threads we have had over the years brought up this question. I had always figured most people swim train with a watch or a clock at the pool in order to swim sets based on time/distance. Turns out some people don't. I was suprised by that. So, do you swim with a watch amn do you work based on time/distance or just RPE/distnace?


2009-06-17 10:55 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Yup, swim with a watch. Time my laps, either the 50 yd lap in the pool or the 1,000M lap in the nearest lake
2009-06-17 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
I normally swim with some sort of access to a timing device.  Sometimes the pool clock (when I'm swimming with contacts and can see it), sometimes a watch.
2009-06-17 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2224167

Member
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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?

I don't. But that's mostly because I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do in the pool.

2009-06-17 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Watch.  The clock is too hard to see at my pool and, with the watch, I can store my laps and record them later.  IMO, there's no good reason NOT to use pace in the pool.
2009-06-17 10:57 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Yes.  Time every "interval" whether it is a 50 up to continuous long swims (which I'll "lap" every 500 so it is easier to remember where I am in yardage).

I do not let the watch run during rest intervals.  If I have a timed rest period, I'll use one of the pool timing clocks to know when to start the next interval.


2009-06-17 11:01 AM
in reply to: #2224185

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Champion
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Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Daremo - 2009-06-17 10:57 AM

Yes.  Time every "interval" whether it is a 50 up to continuous long swims (which I'll "lap" every 500 so it is easier to remember where I am in yardage).

I do not let the watch run during rest intervals.  If I have a timed rest period, I'll use one of the pool timing clocks to know when to start the next interval.


Couldn't you just hit the lap button and time the rest interval on the watch?
Oh, well maybe the majority of people DO use a wtach!

Edited by bryancd 2009-06-17 11:02 AM
2009-06-17 11:05 AM
in reply to: #2224167

Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?

Rarely. I swim by RPE (at least on a sliding scale of "easy" to "all out sprint") with rest intervals for all sets. I occasionally time myself out of curiosity. Meh.

I time all of my runs, but it's usually more of a guideline - occasionally I'll run to 'beat the clock', or I use it to average pace by feel. Mostly, I just run by feel. I log the times because then I can see how I progress over time. And I've gotten pretty good at being able to "feel" pace by doing this. I don't consider myself a slave to my watch, though, even though I almost always run with it - I have run without it before, and didn't want to break down and cry

2009-06-17 11:06 AM
in reply to: #2224190

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Cycling Guru
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Could, but then I have to "think" about it when I go through the lap functions later.

Plus I only record time actually swam in my log, so I'd have to subtract all the rest intervals out to get that.  Just easier to hit start/stop/lap as needed to handle it.
2009-06-17 11:06 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Alpharetta, Georgia
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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Yes. I like to see how fast (or slow) I'm going! How else will you know if you've improved?

The clock at my pool is on the other end from where I start and fairly difficult to get an accurate reading with my goggles on.

To me, the clock at the pool is great for intervals (like 100s on the 1:45 or whatever) since the second hand is moving, but notsogreat for timing long sets. Whenever I forget my watch, I'm always second guessing if I started at 1:42 or 1:44...
2009-06-17 11:09 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Veteran
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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Always. I keep track of all my times to monitor my improvement over time. But my watch has only 50 laps and sometimes its not enough Undecided


2009-06-17 11:10 AM
in reply to: #2224213

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Champion
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Swim with a watch, hit the lap button after every 50, otherwise there is no way I would know how long I had been swimming.  LOL tried to hit it every 100 but when my mind wanders while swimming I would forget if I was finishing the 50 or the 100...

When resting I still stop the watch for the lap but look to the pool clock for when to go again, then start the watch back up.

Edited by dalessit 2009-06-17 11:11 AM
2009-06-17 11:10 AM
in reply to: #2224185

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Master
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?

Daremo - 2009-06-17 10:57 AM Yes.  Time every "interval" whether it is a 50 up to continuous long swims (which I'll "lap" every 500 so it is easier to remember where I am in yardage).

I do not let the watch run during rest intervals.  If I have a timed rest period, I'll use one of the pool timing clocks to know when to start the next interval.

I essientally do the same thing as Daremo.  Time intervals, stop watch during rest periods and use pool clock, etc...

2009-06-17 11:12 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Watch all the time.

If I'm swimming longer sets (500's+) I'll use the watch to time them. If it's shorter sets (100s. 200's),  I'll use the pool clock, because 1 - easier to see and 2 - don't have to fiddle with lap buttons every length or lap while you're trying to move.  I just never bother to take the Timex off.  

2009-06-17 11:12 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
Eh, not always. I just started, because if it's longer than a couple of hundred yards/meters, I can't use the pool clock to time myself.

It's easier for me to look at my own watch to know how long it's taking me per 500.

But usually I use the clock at the pool to time my sets. If I'm doing 100's, and I leave on the top and come in at the :40, I know I did it in 1:40.

Otherwise, I have been using pennies to keep track of my 6x500... 10x500 sets. If I have a workout that's written out though, I don't have to do that (unless it calls for 5x100 or something like that).



Edited by KSH 2009-06-17 11:14 AM
2009-06-17 11:15 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Expert
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Niskayuna, New York
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
yes, once my warmup is complete I usually start the watch when the workout begins and let it run throughout, taking note of starting/stopping times for rest interval purposes


2009-06-17 11:15 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
I never take off my watch!

I use the lap function to time all of my intervals, including rest intervals.  I know wether it was a rest or not because it's the only ones under :15 sec.  I upload my 'swim' time in my logs including rest intervals. 

Makes me feel fast on race day when I can just imput my swim time.  :P
2009-06-17 11:16 AM
in reply to: #2224167

Expert
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Salisbury
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?

I use my watch to keep track of my over all time in the pool. I look at it for general pace but I'm not as diligent as I should be.   I usually count breaths as my "timed recovery".   

I plan on getting better at timing each interval but...we'll see

2009-06-17 11:22 AM
in reply to: #2224229

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Champion
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Eat Cheese or Die
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
mattb1 - 2009-06-17 11:10 AM

Daremo - 2009-06-17 10:57 AM Yes.  Time every "interval" whether it is a 50 up to continuous long swims (which I'll "lap" every 500 so it is easier to remember where I am in yardage).

I do not let the watch run during rest intervals.  If I have a timed rest period, I'll use one of the pool timing clocks to know when to start the next interval.

I essientally do the same thing as Daremo.  Time intervals, stop watch during rest periods and use pool clock, etc...



We all want to be like Rick. I do the same thing.

For OWS I just time the total swim. If I forget my watch, I get the time from my swim buddy so no biggie there.
2009-06-17 11:22 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Master
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syracuse
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
I swim with a watch and usually my swim sets are 100s, 200s, 300s or 400s.  I record the times of each.

My workout for the day is printed out on a kickboard under a towel, and I record each set/interval as I go during the rest, which is usually 15 sec.

I do a lot of 3x100, -:05 or -:10, and the watch is helpfull to hit the times, though I can pretty much do it on feel....

I also like to record the sets to see if I am improving in my logs.....

Love the lap function, thoug I bought a inexpensive timex IM that only has 30 laps, so I often run out...which is one of the reasons I write the times down after each set.....

Edited by cusetri 2009-06-17 11:24 AM
2009-06-17 11:28 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Master
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Toronto
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Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
No, but maybe one day soon. I am still a noob at swimming so i just aim to get my sets done without worrying about time. I would like to think I'll be in a position to be tracking improvements one day ....

sigh.



2009-06-17 11:44 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
I HATE swimming without my watch!  It's my backup counting method and without it I lose count a LOT!

Also, it's hard to do a set like todays without a watch:  4x300 light pace free, finish on 5:16, go on 5:26.  Reading 5:16 off the wall clock isn't easy.
2009-06-17 11:58 AM
in reply to: #2224167

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Champion
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Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
I tried swimming with a watch a few times but it just sank to the bottom and stayed there. Now I wear it on my wrist while I swim
2009-06-17 12:01 PM
in reply to: #2224229

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Master
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Woodbridge , Virginia
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?
mattb1 - 2009-06-17 12:10 PM

Daremo - 2009-06-17 10:57 AM Yes.  Time every "interval" whether it is a 50 up to continuous long swims (which I'll "lap" every 500 so it is easier to remember where I am in yardage).

I do not let the watch run during rest intervals.  If I have a timed rest period, I'll use one of the pool timing clocks to know when to start the next interval.

I essientally do the same thing as Daremo.  Time intervals, stop watch during rest periods and use pool clock, etc...



x2
2009-06-17 12:04 PM
in reply to: #2224167

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Elite
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Raleigh
Subject: RE: Do you swim with a watch?

yes but I usually end up looking at the swim wall clock for my intervals etc... how else could you do things like 4X100 on the 1:45 with out knowing when the 1:45 was up????

I never understood the practice of just getting in the pool and swimming laps with no real purpose... would be like getting on the trainer and just spinning for 1 hour...

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