I stumbled upon (invented?) a new-to-me idea for descending this morning. I went to the pool, not really knowing what I was going to do (I rarely do). There was a workout posted on the board which included a set of 5x100 easy-to-fast. I decided to do the workout (less thinking was involved). When I got to the 100s, no interval was given so I decided to use 1:50. I thought I'd swim my first 100 at around 1:40 and descend to about 1:25. Well, it didn't work out quite that way. It went like this:
1:32 - hmmm... starting off a little fast, oh well...
1:28 - uh oh - better give myself some more rest (2:00)
1:24 - I need even more rest now (2:10)
1:22
1:19
Then it occurred to me. Every time I descended through a five-second boundary (1:30, 1:25) I gave myself another ten seconds rest. Had I gone another (I'm sure my right shoulder would have fallen off in about the third 25), I would have (had to) increase the interval to 2:20.
Does that idea of increasing the interval (adapting) as you descend ring a bell with anyone? I don't believe I've ever had a coach give a set like that.
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My coach usually does it the other way. For example we might do 5x300 where the first one is 3:50 and each one is faster until the last one is on 3:10. I don't like this because I can't continue to get faster AND get less rest. I think your idea is better if the goal is to go your fastest on the last one.
My coach usually does it the other way. For example we might do 5x300 where the first one is 3:50 and each one is faster until the last one is on 3:10. I don't like this because I can't continue to get faster AND get less rest. I think your idea is better if the goal is to go your fastest on the last one.
