Sprint Open Water ????

It's all relative.  Technically not a sprint.  If you ever swim English Channel (21 miles) or Manhattan (28.5 miles), 1 mile feels like a sprint and is a much different pace.

What swim is this?

Dan

I think we are referring to USMS open water national series.  The shortest is a mile and is referred to as the "sprint distance." Perhaps I'm wrong.

Yes - not trying to confuse anybody - I was "absent" for 14y and coming back I have made a real commitment to sprint and speed - I looked at why records and top swimmers are faster now - and it has NOTHING to do with endurance - "our" race pace endurance was as good as anybody right now - what did change was sprint and speed work -- and now as we Masters swimmers it is just even more obvious - if you don't use it - you will lose it - so I would argue that a real sprint workout - like 6x15 to 25 - 3-4 min rest once a week while doing all the old school work - its more important than 5 endurance swims - we lose our speed because almost nobody does actual speed work 

Erik.  Good to have you back.  Looks like you smoked the top 50 and 100 at the SPMS meet.  You are likely right about sprinting.  I don't do it because it murders my back and shoulders. It also helps to have all your talent:). 

LOL, perspective is key! After swimming 11 miles, yes, 1 mile seems like a sprint. I definitely swim it faster than the 11-mile swim. I don't have much get-up-and-go, so I stay away from the 50's and 100's during pool events.