In my most recent blog entry, "One Man's Garbage..." forums.usms.org/blog.php , I asked my fellow swimmers their respective opinions on the impact long, slow, continuous swimming has on meet performance.
The expression "garbage yards" (and the pejorative overtones such a phrase conjurs) has become so embedded in the forum lexicon that many, I suspect, now consider as indisputable truth swimming this way is a waste of time for anyone with competitive ambitions.
Such a view appears particularly well-entrenched among the many non-credentialed exercise physiology pontificators here on the forums who also have a fondness for sprinting and dry land exercise.
But is the concept of garbage yards truly valid--or a kind of urban legend made up largely by sprinters who would rather be doing something other than spending 90 minutes without stopping in the pool?
I don't mean only practicing this way. But if you are, like me, inclined to enjoy swimming, once or twice a week, long, slow, relatively relaxing, continuous yards, do you believe (and more importantly, perhaps, have any evidence to bolster said belief) that so-called "garbage yards" can have some value for actual racing?
Or do these only teach your body to swim slow?
I invite you to read my recent blog forums.usms.org/blog.php and post your thoughts advice there or here.
At the risk of provoking censure by the forum authorities, I furthermore ask you to leave all civility by the wayside.
Feel free to trash talk and smack upside the head of any and every one who disagrees with your personal bias here!
It's been way too long since these forums have had a good, old-fashioned range war of opinions run amuk and ad hominem attacks!
Go at each other tooth and claw. It will only stir the blood of us all, I say--something we garbage yard enthusiasts probably need a bit more of, I will admit.
Sir James,
with all due respect…. Assuming “all Due” > 0 then thanks… I think.
Imagine, for the sake of explication, two athletes: Usain Boldt When did we start classifying track guys as athletes?
You, having made your way to the same track by the assistance of a Rascal mobility scooter Do I get to compete on my Rascal or can I step it up to my EV Rider Royale?
I ask you: who has worked harder here--Usain in his 9.58 seconds of blazing glory, or this hypothetical version of yourself…? Assuming I’m allowed to upgrade to my Rider Royale, I’d have to answer that the starter worked harder than the hypochondriacal me. Holding that heavy gun whilst I’m taking my mark must be a strain.
What I do know is in the water when my son went 1:33 in his 200, he worked a lot harder than I did when I went my all out 2:00 200 free. And except for age, strength, training, hair, technique, motivation, weight, reaction time and a few other factors; our swims were comparable.
Therefore, without fear of contradiction, young fast dudes work harder than old fat duds.
R.H.I.P.
Sir James,
with all due respect…. Assuming “all Due” > 0 then thanks… I think.
Imagine, for the sake of explication, two athletes: Usain Boldt When did we start classifying track guys as athletes?
You, having made your way to the same track by the assistance of a Rascal mobility scooter Do I get to compete on my Rascal or can I step it up to my EV Rider Royale?
I ask you: who has worked harder here--Usain in his 9.58 seconds of blazing glory, or this hypothetical version of yourself…? Assuming I’m allowed to upgrade to my Rider Royale, I’d have to answer that the starter worked harder than the hypochondriacal me. Holding that heavy gun whilst I’m taking my mark must be a strain.
What I do know is in the water when my son went 1:33 in his 200, he worked a lot harder than I did when I went my all out 2:00 200 free. And except for age, strength, training, hair, technique, motivation, weight, reaction time and a few other factors; our swims were comparable.
Therefore, without fear of contradiction, young fast dudes work harder than old fat duds.
R.H.I.P.
