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2020-01-29 6:17 AM


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Subject: Swim training question
I am about a month into my 70.3 training. Absolutely loving it and surprisingly getting better. But I don't know if this is a dumb question or not. Should I be pausing my watch after each set or keep it running? I am doing a lot of drills with my training that tends to slow my times down and wasn't sure if I should stop my time when I am done before moving onto the next set. Sorry if this is a silly question.


2020-01-29 8:22 AM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Subject: RE: Swim training question
This is one of those questions that really boils down to individual preference. I keep my watch running the entire swim workout (unless I stop to talk to someone), but use the lap function to track swim sets and total time spent swimming. I record total workout time here, but TrainingPeaks only records the time spent swimming (both upload automatically from GarminConnect). Whatever you want to do, but it seems like less work and less to keep track of if you just leave it running all the time.

Good luck with your race!
2020-01-29 9:56 AM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Cypress, Texas
Subject: RE: Swim training question

Originally posted by jdwyer02 I am about a month into my 70.3 training. Absolutely loving it and surprisingly getting better. But I don't know if this is a dumb question or not. Should I be pausing my watch after each set or keep it running? I am doing a lot of drills with my training that tends to slow my times down and wasn't sure if I should stop my time when I am done before moving onto the next set. Sorry if this is a silly question.

The only time I stop my watch is when I am doing the CSS (Critical Swim Speed) Test.  The test is a 200m & 400m time trial and intervals for swim workouts are then set up from the Critical Swim Pace with the rest periods built in so that you keep your watch running and leave on the intervals based on the running time.  For example, if you are supposed to do a 100m repeats at 1:45 min/100m with a 15-second Rest Interval you start the intervals at 0:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, etc.. When I am in the pool I only track distance and total workout time.  

How is your training structured?  I know some people have a specific ratio between their swim/bike/run training and they use the active swim time (not counting the rest) for their swim ratio.  I don't have any set ratio between the swim/bike/run and my workouts are done on a running time so stopping the watch is pointless for me.

2020-01-29 11:20 AM
in reply to: BlueBoy26


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Subject: RE: Swim training question
Originally posted by BlueBoy26

Originally posted by jdwyer02 I am about a month into my 70.3 training. Absolutely loving it and surprisingly getting better. But I don't know if this is a dumb question or not. Should I be pausing my watch after each set or keep it running? I am doing a lot of drills with my training that tends to slow my times down and wasn't sure if I should stop my time when I am done before moving onto the next set. Sorry if this is a silly question.

The only time I stop my watch is when I am doing the CSS (Critical Swim Speed) Test.  The test is a 200m & 400m time trial and intervals for swim workouts are then set up from the Critical Swim Pace with the rest periods built in so that you keep your watch running and leave on the intervals based on the running time.  For example, if you are supposed to do a 100m repeats at 1:45 min/100m with a 15-second Rest Interval you start the intervals at 0:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, etc.. When I am in the pool I only track distance and total workout time.  

How is your training structured?  I know some people have a specific ratio between their swim/bike/run training and they use the active swim time (not counting the rest) for their swim ratio.  I don't have any set ratio between the swim/bike/run and my workouts are done on a running time so stopping the watch is pointless for me.




I am doing the 100m intervals this afternoon with 20 seconds rest in between and drills in between. I am asking because sometimes my times are longer than planned and didn't know if that is hurting me or not
2020-01-29 1:25 PM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Subject: RE: Swim training question
As others have mentioned, it's a matter of personal preference. I use a Garmin 920 and 935 in Pool Swim mode. I will press the lap button after each interval. For example here's a typical workout for me:

300 Warmup: Press start, swim, press lap when completed
200 Kick: Switch to Drill mode, press lap to start, kick, then press lap again when done. Then select distance for drill, 200 yds
300 Pull: Press lap, swim, press lap when completed

12x100 @ 1:45, Press lap, swim 100, then press lap again. When floor clock or watch shows 1:45 press lap and repeat.....

So it's a bit of button pushing but each interval is recorded and store on Garmin Connect for future reference, coach to view etc.

Or the old fashion way, just use the floor clock and skip the watch.

For drills I use drill mode as the Garmin does not accurately pick up distance for a lot of drills, especially kick drills. When I do 1-arm drills it basically cuts the distance in half.
2020-01-29 3:35 PM
in reply to: 0

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Cypress, Texas
Subject: RE: Swim training question

Originally posted by jdwyer02 

I am doing the 100m intervals this afternoon with 20 seconds rest in between and drills in between. I am asking because sometimes my times are longer than planned and didn't know if that is hurting me or not

I believe the way the Critical Swim Speed Intervals are usually done is that if you are faster than your planned pace you get more rest and if you go slower than your Critical Swim pace you get less rest.  Additionally, if you get to the point that you no longer can get to the wall before the next intervals the quality of the workout has dropped to the point that you just call it a day and end early.  



Edited by BlueBoy26 2020-01-29 3:36 PM


2020-01-29 4:35 PM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Lethbridge, Alberta
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Subject: RE: Swim training question
Originally posted by jdwyer02

I am doing the 100m intervals this afternoon with 20 seconds rest in between and drills in between. ...

Even if there's no set overall time for each interval, the idea is that more rest should let you push harder. 5 seconds rest means you're barely faster than your continuous swim pace, but 20 seconds rest means you should be putting in more effort during each swim and going faster than a continuous pace. I tell myself that I should be swimming hard enough to need all of the extra rest. However, the time you come in on is what it is. If it's longer than expected, then try to figure out what you could be doing better or maybe you're just getting too tired.

2020-01-29 4:45 PM
in reply to: Micawber

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Subject: RE: Swim training question
Our masters workout last night had a set of 10 x 100's. I don't remember what coach called it but it was swim to fail basically.

We picked an interval that was 5 seconds per 100 slower than what we could hold for a 500 yard race. Then swam 100's until we couldn't make the interval then added 10 seconds to the next one.
2020-01-30 10:20 AM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Subject: RE: Swim training question

I never stop my watch during a swim.  I use the lap button to track my workouts.  I've never been able to keep track of laps while swimming, I "zone out" after about 4 or 5 laps.  Knowing my usual pace lets me use elapsed time to know I have reached my goal for that particular set.

Right now, since I'm only interested in building my base, I am using a technique from my collegiate swim days (late '70's).   On my Long days I swim what we called Pyramids, currently 2100 yds; 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, and 50.  All on 30s rests.  On my Medium days I am currently swimming 1500 yds; 5x300 on 45s rests.  And my Short days are currently 1200 non-stop.  I try to remember to hit the lap button every 100 yds, but again can calculate my lap count quickly based on elapsed time.

2020-01-31 6:07 AM
in reply to: jdwyer02


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Subject: RE: Swim training question
Thank you all for responding.
2020-02-03 3:18 PM
in reply to: jdwyer02

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Minnetonka, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Swim training question
I only use the wall timer at the pool and just keep track of each set time plus warm up and cool down time. I record total time and distance plus put the workout high-level details in the notes field here on BT. I only wear a watch when OWS.

The most important thing (if you are looking at the data at all, if not, it doesn't matter!) - is that it is recorded in a consistent manner so you can accurately compare similar workouts and gauge improvement.


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