I guess I'll make this sort of an introduction thread as well. I'll make that part quick so we can move on to business.
I started swimming a year ago. By "swimming" I mean training for competitive swimming. I had already known how to swim all the strokes. I was a freshman going into sophomore year in high school at the time. What you need to know is that I taught myself all the turns, racing techniques, and starts by watching YouTube videos (NOT expert village) and practice. To prepare for my swim team in the winter, I swam 500s and 1000s to build up my endurance. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and I had know idea what stroke I would be good at.
When time came, I found myself in the distance world, swimming 500 freestyle races. I swam 6:40ish 500s. For a noob swimmer, I've found that isn't half bad, and I got like 3rd or 2nd place in my races. Bu the other 3 events I had to do I usually sucked at. My coach put me on breaststroke races, and I didn't know how to sprint. (as in, I didn't figure out until half way through the season that you need to hold your breath in sprints) So aside from the 500, I did crappy. I think the only reason I didn't fail as much at the 500 was that I had spent all summer and fall swimming 500s and 1000s in preparation.
In the spring I didn't have time to do anything, since I was too caught up in school work. But as soon as summer came again, I hit the pool just like the previous summer. This time, with a better idea of the swimming world. As soon as I started training, I found I could swim a 29 second 50 back stroke. Now, to some of you people here that are very advanced, you probably think that sucks, but I think it's good considering I've never had any formal back stroke training. So, I've decided to build off of that. That, and 500 free style. I'm going to make those my main events, and go from there.
So my main question is, what sort of workouts should I be doing to improve at this point? I've been able to hold a 37 second 50 back stroke for 10 intervals so far on the minute. But my 100s are really suffering. I'm swimming 1:20 intervals on the 100 only 5 times in a row before I have to stop. My main problem with back stroke is also the start. My dolphin kick is weak, and I could stand to improve it. Finally, my 500 is still where it was before. I'm trying to push it down sub 6:30 before the season. I'm not really sure where to start with the 500. There's nothing particularly wrong with it. I just need to increase my endurance I guess.
As I was saying, based on this whole.....essay (lol) that I've written, what sort of advice do you any of you have to give? I'm doing whatever I can at this point to improve. I don't know what it is, but I've fallen in love with swimming and just want to keep getting better. Keep in mind, I'm still a beginner, and still have a lot to learn. I really appreciate any help I get from you veteran swimmers. Thanks a thousand. :angel:
Parents
Former Member
Ok another update. I've been doing a lot of 10 x 50s on the minute, and 5 x 100s on 2 minutes in order to improve my 500 freestyle. Today, my 10 x 50 set went like this:
1. 32s
2. 33s
3. 34s
4. 33s
5. 34s
6. 33s
7. 33s
8. 34s
9. 35s
10. 32s (I go all out on the last of my sets)
So as you can see, I've been improving. My 5 X 100s set went like this:
1. 1:12
2. 1:13
3. 1:15
4. 1:13
5. 1:11 (I go as fast as I can on the last of my sets)
My goal is to bring these down to 1:12s or below. Once I do that, I plan to start 200 sets. I've also been swimming some untimed 250s and 500s at around 6:30 500 pace, or 39s splits on the 50s. Unfortunately, it's hard to time long distance sets myself because the clock at my pool that's used for timing only operates by seconds. I might try and get a friend to help me time some of my sets, or I'll try and find a water proof timer.
As for backstroke, my SDK is finally where I want it to be, and I would consider my start to be very solid. I've been doing 10 X 50s on 1:10 for back stroke. My set today went like this:
1. 33s
2. 35s
3. 36s
4. 36s
5. 38s
6. 37s
7. 39s
8. 37s
9. 35s
10. 32s (I go as fast as I can on the last of my sets)
I also did some 8 X 75s on 1:40. But the timing got so messed up that I can't remember the times I got for this set.
So in total, I've been swimming about 3000-3500 each day I train.
I've been training my backstroke a little bit like I'm training for long distance. Anyone have any ideas for sets that are more appropriate for someone looking to do 50 and 100 backstroke races? Thanks.
Ok another update. I've been doing a lot of 10 x 50s on the minute, and 5 x 100s on 2 minutes in order to improve my 500 freestyle. Today, my 10 x 50 set went like this:
1. 32s
2. 33s
3. 34s
4. 33s
5. 34s
6. 33s
7. 33s
8. 34s
9. 35s
10. 32s (I go all out on the last of my sets)
So as you can see, I've been improving. My 5 X 100s set went like this:
1. 1:12
2. 1:13
3. 1:15
4. 1:13
5. 1:11 (I go as fast as I can on the last of my sets)
My goal is to bring these down to 1:12s or below. Once I do that, I plan to start 200 sets. I've also been swimming some untimed 250s and 500s at around 6:30 500 pace, or 39s splits on the 50s. Unfortunately, it's hard to time long distance sets myself because the clock at my pool that's used for timing only operates by seconds. I might try and get a friend to help me time some of my sets, or I'll try and find a water proof timer.
As for backstroke, my SDK is finally where I want it to be, and I would consider my start to be very solid. I've been doing 10 X 50s on 1:10 for back stroke. My set today went like this:
1. 33s
2. 35s
3. 36s
4. 36s
5. 38s
6. 37s
7. 39s
8. 37s
9. 35s
10. 32s (I go as fast as I can on the last of my sets)
I also did some 8 X 75s on 1:40. But the timing got so messed up that I can't remember the times I got for this set.
So in total, I've been swimming about 3000-3500 each day I train.
I've been training my backstroke a little bit like I'm training for long distance. Anyone have any ideas for sets that are more appropriate for someone looking to do 50 and 100 backstroke races? Thanks.
