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2011-08-14 6:51 PM

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Subject: average swim times

what should i aim for as a good average swim time for 100yds? most of my swim time recently has been broken up into intervals and drills per my training plan, but i do have a time trial session coming up soon for a 1000 yard swim. i've been swimming since around february and did a 750m OWS at my first triathlon in may in roughly 22 minutes. 

would love to know some other people's averages as a basis for comparison, although i imagine my swim is probably as comparatively slow as my bike and my run!



2011-08-14 7:05 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
I think a good goal would be two minutes per 100 yds.  I just got where i could do this.  If you are swimming in a 25 yd pool it makes counting laps easy if you can do 25 yds every 30 seconds.
2011-08-14 7:05 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

What difference does it make? if I told you 1:30 per 100yds was a good time would it effect your training plan? Your race strategy? Your self-esteem? Your time is what it is, work to improve that, and pay little atttention to what others are doing.

2011-08-14 7:10 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
^^^ This ^^^
2011-08-14 7:14 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
You should aim to swim your 1K TT as hard as you can. Then calculate YOUR average.
2011-08-15 10:23 AM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

I swim around 1:40/100yds for 1000TT.  I'm average/just below average as a swimmer and usually somewhere MOP in most races.  If you're around 2:00/100yds then you're going to be BOP - which is likely expected since you just started swimming.  Get closer to the 1:45/100 and you'll be in the crowd, 1:30/100 closer to the front, 1:20/100 and below and you'll be at the front.  (Keep in mind your times in the pool will likely be faster than OWS).



2011-08-15 10:35 AM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
GoFaster - 2011-08-15 10:23 AM

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

I swim around 1:40/100yds for 1000TT.  I'm average/just below average as a swimmer and usually somewhere MOP in most races.  If you're around 2:00/100yds then you're going to be BOP - which is likely expected since you just started swimming.  Get closer to the 1:45/100 and you'll be in the crowd, 1:30/100 closer to the front, 1:20/100 and below and you'll be at the front.  (Keep in mind your times in the pool will likely be faster than OWS).

Thanks for posting this.  Simple and clear.

2011-08-15 10:46 AM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
I've always looked at 2:00/100yd as being a bit of a benchmark personally.  In my last race with a 400M OWS swim, my age group (M55-59) averaged 2:12.  The fastest was 1:36 and the slowest was 2:30.

Doing 100's in the pool I can do 1:45's, but my 'race pace' is around 2:00 to 2:10.  I'm paranoid about going out too fast, so normally start easy and build my pace after I get into a comfortable rhythm.  That means I start out in the BOP but start passing people mid-race and end up somewhere MOP by the finish.

Mark



 
2011-08-15 10:46 AM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

thank you. this was the kind of information i was hoping to find

2011-08-15 10:47 AM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

One other thing worth noting from one beginner swimer to another - My 100M pace has very little in common with my 1000M pace. At 100M I can go much harder and not worry about the fact that I am not getting enough air. Past 100M and I need to find a pace that I can maintain. Which means I need to breath more often and not kick as much. Which means that I am much. much. slower. My 100M time is 1:45 but my 400M time is mid 9's.

In order to not gas out, I have to go really really easy.

But that might just be me. Ive only been swimming a couple of months.

And  a 1k swim TT without someone handing me a medal at the end sounds like a raw deal! Good luck.

2011-08-15 1:25 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
GoFaster - 2011-08-15 10:23 AM

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

I swim around 1:40/100yds for 1000TT.  I'm average/just below average as a swimmer and usually somewhere MOP in most races.  If you're around 2:00/100yds then you're going to be BOP - which is likely expected since you just started swimming.  Get closer to the 1:45/100 and you'll be in the crowd, 1:30/100 closer to the front, 1:20/100 and below and you'll be at the front.  (Keep in mind your times in the pool will likely be faster than OWS).

 

+1 on all above.

 

2:00/100yds will place you at about 33% in the M35 category in most Oly swims - that was about how it plays out in large Olys with >500 competitors that I did last year.

 

Prepare to add about 10-15sec/100 for OWS as a beginner as well - you'll lose that alone just navigating the crowd and entry/exit.

 

Also, on a side note, I've noticed on BT and other forums that some folks instantly get very defensive whenever a question about average pace comes up. It's not irrelevant info - I found it extremely valuable info when I did my first tri at about 2:50/100yds and realized that I'd be so far in back that I shouldn't even attempt to jump into the scrum in the water despite being a FOP runner/biker, and as well, when I got fast enough to be MOP on the swim, where I changed my entry approach completely to a more draft-like approach. Average speed is very valuable information if used correctly and definitely will change your approach to racing.



2011-08-15 1:29 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

20 mph

 

2011-08-15 1:57 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
GoFaster - 2011-08-15 11:23 AM

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

 

 

Since I am one of the last three I'll take the bait. I didn't ignore her question. She asked what average is good to aim for. I answered that directly; she should aim for HER average. If she doesn't know her 100 average over 1k, what good is knowing other peoples averages? She can aim for any average she wants. Hell, I'd like to aim for a 1:00 average but I'm right around 1:35.

If she wants to post her average and ask how that compares to others, fine. But she didn't. She did say she would "love to know", but she didn't ask.

2011-08-15 1:59 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

It can obviously vary quite a bit, and where you are in the "pack" depends a lot on the race.  But my experience has been the following:

I usually train right around a 2:00/100 yd (despite efforts to improve!) but am generally faster in a wetsuit.  For the two Oly's I've done, I swam a 1:48/100 yd for each one, and was in the top 52% and 48%, thus, solid middle of the pack.  I swam 1:58 for my Ironman and that put my in the top ~66%. 

2011-08-15 2:02 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
the bear - 2011-08-14 8:05 PM

What difference does it make? if I told you 1:30 per 100yds was a good time would it effect your training plan? Your race strategy? Your self-esteem? Your time is what it is, work to improve that, and pay little atttention to what others are doing.

Lol, the bear is being quite brunt about this, but he's right on; unless your a pro and are truly competing against others, it will only add stress to your event if compare yourself to others. Some folks out there are truly gifted swimmers that you shouldn't compare yourself to, while there are others who have been at it longer than you and it wouldn't be fair to you to compare yourself to them. Then there are those who can barely float who are going to run you down in the run leg;  You just compare yourself to you, less stress there and more genuine feelings of satisfaction (or no).

2011-08-15 2:04 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
the bear - 2011-08-14 8:05 PM

What difference does it make? if I told you 1:30 per 100yds was a good time would it effect your training plan? Your race strategy? Your self-esteem? Your time is what it is, work to improve that, and pay little atttention to what others are doing.

^^This^^ Unless you are gunning for the podium, you are racing yourself. Plus much of what constitutes a good pace depends on who shows up at the race that day. A 1:30/100 in one race could be fast, but relatively 'slow' in another.



Edited by Mike_D 2011-08-15 2:08 PM


2011-08-15 2:07 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
the bear - 2011-08-14 8:05 PM

What difference does it make? if I told you 1:30 per 100yds was a good time would it effect your training plan? Your race strategy? Your self-esteem? Your time is what it is, work to improve that, and pay little atttention to what others are doing.

While this is a nice, zen / pollyanna answer, it's not necessarily helpful.

Also, Yes to all 3 items in bold.  You train to work on your deficiencies. If you know you're slow in one area (relative to others), you know not to pace against them. And yes, it does help a normal human being's self-esteem to know they're good at something.

There is value in knowing "what is average." Even while always striving to get better. 

What if the OP is swimming regularly and still not breaking 3min/100? Knowing that 3:00/100 is not a good time would be an indicator to perhaps get swimming lessons or coaching.  Or, if as a new swimmer the OP turns out to be a natural swimmer, hitting 1:50's/100.  Then, training time could be focused on working on the run or bike, if there's a deficiency there.

I'm a strong swimmer, but weak runner, so I swim less and run more. Without knowing where your strengths and weakness are and not being able to even know if it's "relatively" good or bad, means that the person can't give that element the appropriate attention.

Additionally, it helps to work towards goals.  And it helps if those goals aren't as nebulous as "swim faster."  If 2:00/100 is a benchmark, then that can be a goal. If 1:45 is 'good' and 1:30 is 'great', that it provides a measuring stick against which to assess 'better.'  



Edited by Apotheosis 2011-08-15 2:09 PM
2011-08-15 2:55 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

at the beginning of july, my initial time trial of 1000 yards brought me to an average of 2:10/100yds. i will be doing another time trial in two weeks. i am hoping to see some improvement. 

thank you to those individuals who provided me with actual data regarding their swim time averages and other relevant information. while i understand that triathlons are based on individual performance, i find that i gain the most improvement while aiming for a specific goal (such as going under 2 minutes/100yds), rather than blinding striving to "be the best me i can be". 

2011-08-15 2:56 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
the bear - 2011-08-14 8:05 PM

What difference does it make? if I told you 1:30 per 100yds was a good time would it effect your training plan? Your race strategy? Your self-esteem? Your time is what it is, work to improve that, and pay little atttention to what others are doing.

I carry this thought into raceday also!!

2011-08-15 3:01 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
A good pace gets you out of the water before the cutoff time and with enough energy to get on your bike.
2011-08-15 3:07 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
nm


Edited by mrbbrad 2011-08-15 3:17 PM


2011-08-15 3:23 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

I'm pretty stunned the people are advising that is isn't useful knowing how fast your competitors are going to go when you're entering a competition.  "Go as fast as you can go" is useless, if you don't know how fast it is possible to go.  I once thought averaging 25km/h on a bike was pretty awesome and pretty close to the maximum possible speed on a bike.  If someone said "go as fast as you can go", I might have stopped there.

However, the guy above me does have one good point: you can look this stuff up, and then you can massage the data to your heart's content.

In Canada, the biggest source for tri results would be sportstats.ca.  You can search for triathlons, then sort by age and/or gender to figure out how fast you need to be to hit your goal position.  This is a pretty average sprint tri from earlier this year: http://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.php?lang=eng&racecode=100188

In it, the median male was about 2:13, and median female was 2:20.  That race has a pretty long run from the swim to the timing mat though, so their actual swim speed was probably 5-10 seconds/100 faster.



Edited by AHare 2011-08-15 3:26 PM
2011-08-15 3:29 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

One of the things I found helpful is to simply look at the data from the previous year's race - that should give you a pretty darn good guess how fast people are going to swim (or bike or run, for that matter) on race day.  Sure, extreme heat / wind / wave chop / etc. can change things up some, but most races are fairly consistent from year to year, at least in the middle of the pack.

Enjoy!

2011-08-15 3:36 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times

I find all this info very usefull. I am gettting ready for my first tri (a 1/2IM) and knowing what MOP is helps me understand swimming a little better as I haven't swam since I was a kid. I recently got in the pool in May and am currently going at about 1:50/100 and around 9:30/500.  I did look up old race times and such but as race conditions vary i found that less informative as to what people were actually doing in the pool as this was more controlled conditions. Knowing other peoples AVG helps a noob like me know if it worth it to try to get to the front or just stay near the rear. Will affect how I swim? no but anyinformation is more usefull than none

Some people have good points about finding your own pace but they just relayed it in very obnoxious ways.

2011-08-15 3:48 PM
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Subject: RE: average swim times
mrbbrad - 2011-08-15 2:57 PM
GoFaster - 2011-08-15 11:23 AM

Since the last three decided to ignore your question, I'll give it a try. 

 

 Since I am one of the last three I'll take the bait. I didn't ignore her question. She asked what average is good to aim for. I answered that directly; she should aim for HER average. If she doesn't know her 100 average over 1k, what good is knowing other peoples averages? She can aim for any average she wants. Hell, I'd like to aim for a 1:00 average but I'm right around 1:35.

If she wants to post her average and ask how that compares to others, fine. But she didn't. She did say she would "love to know", but she didn't ask.

She did post her average - she said she did 22min for 750M.  But that's besides the point, aiming for "Your average" makes no sense unless you're out there for giggles.  You want to compete or know how you stack up, then you need a basis of knowing what others can do.  Having an idea of what to aim for then lets you work towards something specific. 

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