Like many others, I've made the transition to outdoor LCM swimming for the summer. I love it in many ways. But I have noticed that the "garbage yards" problem creeps in when I swim long course. I work on my stroke, which is good, but my tempo and overall intensity drop. I swim with fitness lap swimmers for the most part, or alone. The other day I swam some 100s alternating between easy and hard, and made some progress on the hard ones. But I notice that I anticipate my pool time less because it feels like I'm mailing it in.
Does anybody else have this problem? If so, do you have suggestions for how to introduce more variation and intensity into long course swimming?
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I'm grateful for the fascinating discussion that's developed here.
Chowmi's points are relevant, even though I did not raise such issues explicitly.
I agree that training with a team would be best. But here's the thing: I have discovered that I have a finite amount of focus & energy. In the five+ years since I've returned to swimming and competing, I have noted that when I really commit major energy to training (more yards, more swims) I have less focus left over for work. Sometimes I'll make that trade; other times, I'm less prepared to do that.
I'm a professor/researcher; when I say "work" I mean research time.
Summer is a big research season for me; winter/spring is heavy with school stuff, and hard swimming is a relief.
So summer swimming needs to adjust, or I have to admit that I'll get less done. Two years ago I committed to going to LC nationals (a first, and only) and was happy with my trade. But now I have a lot to get done--a positive--and can't bite off a big chunk in the pool.
There was an age group meet at our LC pool over the weekend, so I had to swim SCY Saturday and Sunday, and it was great. A nice break. I'm thinking I might just focus on shorter distances for the summer--nothing over 100--and try to get ready to swim 100 LC fly, which I have never done. So less distance, more intensity, concrete goal. I think I have two meets to work with, in late July and mid-August.
Anyway, this has been very helpful. I consistently get a lot from this forum, even when I keep my trap shut and just read.
I'm grateful for the fascinating discussion that's developed here.
Chowmi's points are relevant, even though I did not raise such issues explicitly.
I agree that training with a team would be best. But here's the thing: I have discovered that I have a finite amount of focus & energy. In the five+ years since I've returned to swimming and competing, I have noted that when I really commit major energy to training (more yards, more swims) I have less focus left over for work. Sometimes I'll make that trade; other times, I'm less prepared to do that.
I'm a professor/researcher; when I say "work" I mean research time.
Summer is a big research season for me; winter/spring is heavy with school stuff, and hard swimming is a relief.
So summer swimming needs to adjust, or I have to admit that I'll get less done. Two years ago I committed to going to LC nationals (a first, and only) and was happy with my trade. But now I have a lot to get done--a positive--and can't bite off a big chunk in the pool.
There was an age group meet at our LC pool over the weekend, so I had to swim SCY Saturday and Sunday, and it was great. A nice break. I'm thinking I might just focus on shorter distances for the summer--nothing over 100--and try to get ready to swim 100 LC fly, which I have never done. So less distance, more intensity, concrete goal. I think I have two meets to work with, in late July and mid-August.
Anyway, this has been very helpful. I consistently get a lot from this forum, even when I keep my trap shut and just read.
