Right now I have an incredibly busy schedule as I have a full time job as a teacher, and I am doing a ton of tutoring as state exams are coming up soon. I also have had some social events that were not really optional.
Finding time to swim has been difficult. Last summer, when I first got back into swimming after a 20 year layoff, I was doing 1/2 mile 4-5 days a week, plus some dry land training. Usually I would do a mile once per week.
I have completely stopped the dry land. I would say I swim three times some weeks and twice other weeks, but now I usually do 2200 yards in one workout. For example, I swam 2200 on Saturday, and haven't gone since, but I am heading to the Y in a short while.
Is a longer workout, but less frequent, better than more frequent shorter workouts? To be honest, what I was doing last summer in terms of distance seems like a joke now...I now do almost 1/2 mile for my warmup. I need to do at least a mile to feel like I have really worked out, but I can't go as often.
If one better than the other, or is it a wash?
PS...my pool stamina is much better since I cut out the heavy weights.
Your goals will ultimately dictate what you need to do, but since you seem to have a relatively steady routine, I generally agree with Rob in post #7.
If you are looking to increase yardage, you have two choices; (1) swim faster in the allotted time or (2) get more time to swim.
If you are trying to increase fitness, use 2 intense workouts to 1 recovery workout. The intense practices will have a short warm up and either long rest sprint sets or short rest pace/distance sets followed by a warm down.
Recovery practice can be a mix of things or concentration on one aspect of your swimming, such as a whole hour of kicking drills/sets.
If you have someone who will watch or knows what to look for, ask them to participate while you are doing any drills. Drills without outside feedback are very nearly pointless.
Most of all, persevere. It is very discouraging at times when you remember how easy some sets or time intervals used to be. Keep with it and there will be a breakthrough.
Good luck!
Your goals will ultimately dictate what you need to do, but since you seem to have a relatively steady routine, I generally agree with Rob in post #7.
If you are looking to increase yardage, you have two choices; (1) swim faster in the allotted time or (2) get more time to swim.
If you are trying to increase fitness, use 2 intense workouts to 1 recovery workout. The intense practices will have a short warm up and either long rest sprint sets or short rest pace/distance sets followed by a warm down.
Recovery practice can be a mix of things or concentration on one aspect of your swimming, such as a whole hour of kicking drills/sets.
If you have someone who will watch or knows what to look for, ask them to participate while you are doing any drills. Drills without outside feedback are very nearly pointless.
Most of all, persevere. It is very discouraging at times when you remember how easy some sets or time intervals used to be. Keep with it and there will be a breakthrough.
Good luck!
