I'm curious what my fellow slow twitchers do to train for the longest pool events. Of particular interest is input from those of you who also swam as a youth. With way less yardage that you used to do, what can be done to be able to survive a decent mile?
In my case, workouts are limited to an hour and there are usually 3+ per lane, so sets can't be dedicated just to my interests. However, the coaches are quite willing to do what they can for me.
I had a really unpleasant weekend where I raced a 1500 on Friday. I faded a bit and the struggle trying to maintain pace really drained me. In fact, I was really stiff and sore the next day (mainly my lats). I had to kill myself in the 800 on Sat. just to match my 800 split from the previous day. I was still stiff on Sunday.
Monday night, I finally felt recovered from that 1500. Coach had us do a 500 right after warmup. Since I was feeling pretty good, I pushed it, hard. My time in that practice 500 converts to a 400 SCM 5 seconds faster than what I did in the meet on Sunday. I don't know if that's encouraging or depressing. :lmao:
Former Member
I really think the key to a successful distance swim is knowing how fast you should start. If you haven't been training a lot of distance it's very easy to start out too fast. What seems easy at the beginning of a race might quickly turn into an unsustainable pace after a few hundred yards. That doesn't mean to start really slow, but it does mean you need to know your pace and what it feels like to swim at that pace.
Um, the key to a successful distance swim is training a lot of distance.
What you meant is the key to faking a distance race while under prepared is to avoid going out fast.
That day I'm swimming the 1650, 200 fly, and 400 IM. All on the same day. I've had my eye on it for a couple of years.
You in?
:ohyeah: Of course, by swimming those three events, I will have to write off any time goals for my breaststroke races that day! :afraid:
What you meant is the key to faking a distance race while under prepared is to avoid going out fast.
True, of course. You need to know what YOU can handle at that point in time and pace accordingly.
... and the 200 free right? ... A lot will depend on how they do the event order this time around..
I'm pretty sure the event order has been the same for at least the last three years. I assume it will be the same this year. Last year, Saturday's events were,
1 1650 yard Free
2 100 yard IM
3 200 yard Fly
4 50 yard Free
5 100 yard ***
6 100 yard Back
7 200 yard Free
8 50 yard Fly
9 400 yard IM
I don't much like the 200 free, especially that close to the 4IM. Normally I swim the 100 back, but since it's a crazy day I might pick the 100 *** instead.
Me three!
I look forward to it. I'd tell you what kind of suit I'll have except that I am still trying to figure out what suits are like these days. Things have changed a bit in 15 years... :)
I might trek over your way for the GA Tech meet in December - it would be easy to combine with a family visit.
Great! I hope to see you there! :agree:
Me three!
:cheerleader: We'll see you there, ekw! Look for me in a black and blue Yingfa and a USMS cap, if you don't recognize me by the picture. I will introduce you to Swimosaur. If you look at my album on Greensboro Nationals, Swimosaur is the second photo from the left. And, I am the one in the "Forumite" t-shirt in the first photo.
I look forward to it. I'd tell you what kind of suit I'll have except that I am still trying to figure out what suits are like these days. Things have changed a bit in 15 years... :)
I might trek over your way for the GA Tech meet in December - it would be easy to combine with a family visit.
I'd tell you what kind of suit I'll have except that I am still trying to figure out what suits are like these days ...
These are popular! They are distributed by 1956 Olympian, fellow forumite, & all around good guy George Park!
These are popular! They are distributed by 1956 Olympian, fellow forumite, & all around good guy George Park!
A jammer? For Ellen?? :afraid::blush: :D Seriously, though, I bought my women's suit from George and it has been great. But, be forewarned: Yingfa suits run small! At 5'7", 123 lbs., I wear a 3XL; the largest size offered in my suit! :bitching:
That day I'm swimming the 1650, 200 fly, and 400 IM. All on the same day. I've had my eye on it for a couple of years.
You in?... and the 200 free right? I've got to drop something if I'm going to swim the 100 ***. Not sure which of the 4 will be it. I'll probably be in for the 1650. Leaning towards dropping the 200 fly this year. A lot will depend on how they do the event order this time around.
