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2013-05-24 7:59 AM

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Subject: swim progress/update
Those who regularly read the forums know I am not a natural swimmer and have been working to improve.

I did my first sprint of the year last weekend, and for the 500m distance my time was 9:44 for a 1:57/100Y pace. Last year's time was about 12:30 so that's a decent improvement.

I feel like I have gone from a terrible swimmer to one who is approaching MOP range.

Of course I want to keep improving. Not sure if the best strategy is to keep working out in the pool as I have been doing....or if it's time to sign up for my local masters program?

Comments/suggestions??


2013-05-24 8:57 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update
ps I just reread my posting and I stated the swim was 500m, it was really 500Y.
2013-05-24 10:11 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update

Congratulations.  That's a solid improvement for one year.  Nice:)

Masters will only help.  Having a coach there to give you feedback, even if it's just the occasional stroke correction tip here and there (sometimes Masters coaches are spread pretty thin), can help a lot.  I don't know what your group is like, but ours is pretty solid; workouts range from 2800-3500/hour.  What's your yardage like now? Your endurance?

Another thing to think about: you're "in season" now.  How many times a week have you been swimming?  How many times a week do you want to continue swimming in season?  Are the returns that you are going to get out of increasing days in the water or joining a Masters program going to give you the biggest ROI for your valuable time? 

It might be that "in season" you would get a better ROI focusing on your bike or run, and wait to join a Masters group in the off season. 

I think I just thoroughly muddies the waters, so I'll step back now and see what others have to say;) Good luck!

2013-05-24 10:21 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update
That is a ton of improvement. Congratulations!

I think you would enjoy a masters program...I just started one in January and its a lot of fun. You'll get "seeded" into swim lanes with people of same ability/speed so don't worry about that. I like the program because a) I tend to do more volume with the group b) the comraderie is nice and c) you can pick up new skills/drills/better habits working with a program. I enjoy swimming on my own too (especially if I'm working on a technique fix). but the yards/meters seem to fly by when I'm swimming with a group.
2013-05-24 10:21 AM
in reply to: switch

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Malvern, PA
Subject: RE: swim progress/update
Thanks for the reply. I do think I would benefit from a masters swim group, if only to force me to swim more.

I have been swimming roughly 3 times/week. Yardage is pretty low, typically 1000-2000m. I often give up after 30-40 minutes simply because of boredom rather than being tired.

I think my main concerns about a masters group are:

1. I wonder if I am still too slow.
2. I am only interested in OWS/Tri training, so if they are working on backstroke/butterfly/etc. I have no interest in that.

2013-05-24 10:33 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update

Originally posted by datlas Thanks for the reply. I do think I would benefit from a masters swim group, if only to force me to swim more. I have been swimming roughly 3 times/week. Yardage is pretty low, typically 1000-2000m. I often give up after 30-40 minutes simply because of boredom rather than being tired. I think my main concerns about a masters group are: 1. I wonder if I am still too slow. 2. I am only interested in OWS/Tri training, so if they are working on backstroke/butterfly/etc. I have no interest in that.

You are not too slow.  They'll get you into a lane that's just right for you, and we definitely have swimmers who swim similar splits in our group.

Nobody's gonna make you do butterfly, promise:)  That being said, a little back or breast can help you, even if you're only goal is to become a better swimmer for tris. They help you learn to feel the water and can be nice ways to train complimentary muscles and take a little break/stretch from free.  I really like back now, and it give a great stretch after longer free sets. At our group the coach likes it if you do sets of another stroke, but the beauty of Masters is that nobody has to do anything--Masters' option:

Most Masters groups will let you try a week for free to see if it's a good fit.  Maybe that is an option?



2013-05-24 10:37 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update
You're not too slow. We have IM participants, at least one Kona qualifier and beginners in our group...as mentioned before, you'll get seeded according to your current ability. Practice set yardages/repeats and interval times are different for each swim lane based on ability.

My particular group is tri-oriented so we are pretty much freestyle-only. We might throw in a backstroke here or there for a kick set but its mainly freestyle and tri-specific skill work (sighting, bilateral breathing, etc..).

Personally, I like having the set times to go swim (in season) or else I might lay off too much in order to work on my bike/run fitness. I find that I need to hit the pool at least 3 times a week to maintain swim fitness so having the set times of a masters program helps me in that regard.
2013-05-24 10:38 AM
in reply to: datlas

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Subject: RE: swim progress/update
No one should make you do other strokes but swimming other strokes especially backstroke are good for developing your feel for the water (body awareness). Be careful about how you express that option as you may get labeled as a triathlete with a bad attitude.
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