Possible to improve 30min distance w/only 30min sessions?
Former Member
Hi,
This is my 1st post.
I have been a fitness swimmer (off & on depending if I lived near a pool) for nearly 30 years, since my mid-20s when I taught myself to swim a mile freestyle non-stop. (I had a few pointers from a local swim coach back then)
My times have always been around 30 minutes, give or take.
I am now retired and have a year round indoor pool. It's short... 56 feet I think. 48 laps= 1 mile. Yes, it's a lot of flip turns.
I still do dry land, weights, pushups & chin ups etc.
But I don't like spending more than 30 min in the pool. Typically, it's mostly freestyle, with a few backstroke & kickboard thrown in...all nonstop & flip turns.
I went all out on Friday, and still fell just short of a mile :-(
My question: Is it unrealistic to expect to improve my time without spending more time in the water?
No Masters around here (Camano Island Wa), but I did hear a local pastor used to coach a Brazilian Olympic team...
ps I was just reading some threads here and found out the S curve stroke is no longer advised. Ha! News to me. Maybe that's my problem.
Don't think so. You may achieve some improvements by swimming exercises - that will improve your technique and times but not your performance and endurance.
Common sets for swimmers who swim 1.5K are:
3-5x1500 - 60% MHR
15x100 - threshold swimming 10sec rest between 100s
or 8-10x200 - same pattern.
All these example sets definitely take more than 30min. Professional stayers usually swim >70 miles a week. Of course you still may swim a mile each training aerobically without taking care about times - that's very useful for your heart. :)
Don't think so. You may achieve some improvements by swimming exercises - that will improve your technique and times but not your performance and endurance.
Common sets for swimmers who swim 1.5K are:
3-5x1500 - 60% MHR
15x100 - threshold swimming 10sec rest between 100s
or 8-10x200 - same pattern.
All these example sets definitely take more than 30min. Professional stayers usually swim >70 miles a week. Of course you still may swim a mile each training aerobically without taking care about times - that's very useful for your heart. :)
