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Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm?
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 2015-03-12 1:10 PM |
 46 |  Subject: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm?I've been training for my first triathlon (sprint) for about 6 weeks or so now. When I started the swim training, I sucked. I'm a good swimmer and have good form, but was shocked that I could barely make it 50 yds. before I was out of breath. So 6 weeks in to this training, I'm so upset with my progress that I start doubting whether I'd be able to do the tri. As of a week ago, I was to the point where I could swim only about 100 yds & then need a 30 second break before the next 100yd set. I felt WAYYYY behind in my progress. So I had been swimming in a pool with warmer temps the whole time. There are 2 pools at the YMCA where I work out...one geared more for family activities...family swim, swim lessons, etc, and one that was built more for swim team practices & meets. The family oriented one is warmer, the other, cooler. Anyways.....this past Sunday was the 1st time I swam in the cooler temp pool and suddenly I'm able to do 30 laps with no exhaustion. (probably the happiest moment in all this training!). Is this just a coincidence, or does the water temp have an effect on swim endurance? |
| 2015-03-12 1:17 PM in reply to: interspace8 |
Member 1748    Exton, PA | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? Water temps do effect performance. However going from 4 laps to 30 laps sounds like it was a mental block for you. Go back to the warm pool you should still be able to swim 30 laps, just not as fast. |
| 2015-03-12 1:19 PM in reply to: interspace8 |
Regular 606 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? Gasping for breath happens with all new lap swimmers. Most people can swim, but never really swim in a line. You probably just started breathing better. The trick is to breath out when your face is in the water. Otherwise, you'll try to exhale and inhale all at once, leading to the gaspy gasps. |
| 2015-03-12 1:45 PM in reply to: #5100273 |
| 88 | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? "Water temps do effect performance. However going from 4 laps to 30 laps sounds like it was a mental block for you." I agree 100% with Mike's statement. |
| 2015-03-12 3:13 PM in reply to: interspace8 |
| 1300 | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? The warmer family pool is more for comfort and the cooler pool is so people don't over heat while training or meets. I'd be shocked if the warmer pool was hot enough to prevent you from doing 30 laps but that would be based on the actual temp and your effort. Anything's possible I guess. |
| 2015-03-12 5:58 PM in reply to: interspace8 |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? Our Y has a similar setup. The regular pool is kept at 77-79, the other at 86-88 (only 20 yard and shallower). One time I had to swim in the warm pool as something was going on in the other and only did about 10 laps and said "that's enough" and got out. |
| 2015-03-13 7:01 AM in reply to: Goggles Pizzano |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? The only reason I can think of that would cause such a dramatic difference is if the warmer pool is not as well ventilated. If you have asthma, it's possible the effect would be that noticeable. I know for me there's an ideal range of pool temps in which I do my best swimming--a bit cooler for distance stuff, and a bit warmer for sprints. Too warm and the perceived effort definitely goes up. Too cold and I tend to cramp easily or just feel tight and uncomfortable. I've also noticed that I'm less likely to struggle with breathing in moderately cool water than very warm water, and need to breathe less often at the same pace/effort. I've always assumed it was some version of the dive reflex (cold water triggers a slowdown in heart rate, etc. in mammals), and/or our (unheated) pool tends to be better ventilated when it's cooler, which is usually true with the local climate. |
| 2015-03-16 12:42 PM in reply to: Toffels |
| 46 | Subject: RE: Swimming performance - cool H20 vs. warm? Thanks everyone for the input! I have yet to get back in the warmer pool, because I'm having such good success in the cooler pool. (Yes, maybe it is all mental...I don't want to jinx myself) I also have such limited time to train so I can't afford a terrible swim workout. Anyways, I'm just thrilled where I am in my progress. : ) |
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