I cannot understand the times people post. They seem pretty danged fast to me. I've tried checking the pace clock at my pool, but am I really that slow, 40-45 seconds to go 25 yards? That's what the pace clock seems to say. It sounds like I'm standing still. But maybe I'm just reading the clock wrong.
I'm not training for anything. But I do want to get a decent workout. I've looked at the articles here on swimming pace, and the information is a jumble with all those meters x whatever and talk of splits. Keeping up with some of the other swimmers I see on a regular basis, it feels like I'm moving right along. But the pace clock says I'm a turtle. So can anyone please explain how to accurately figure my pace?
FYI, I'm 5' tall (OK, 4'11 1/2) and no matter how much I stretch and glide, and no matter how hard I pull, I'm obviously never going to be as fast as someone with longer arms who's covering a much greater distance with fewer strokes.
If it's a digital pace clock wait for it to be :00, swim 25 yards and look at the clock to get your time. It might help if you start at the opposite end of the pool where the clock is so that when you touch the wall and look at the clock, you can easily tell your time. If you have an analog clock, wait until "it is at the top", i.e. at the 60, swim your 25 yards and note where the moving hand is when you touch the wall.
Also, don't get hung up on your or anyone else's height. You cannot control that. But you can control your technique. And technique is THE most important aspect to swimming fast. It's all about going through the water with less drag then anyone else.
BTW Janet Evans who held the 800 record for more than ten years, is 5' 5" tall.
If it's a digital pace clock wait for it to be :00, swim 25 yards and look at the clock to get your time. It might help if you start at the opposite end of the pool where the clock is so that when you touch the wall and look at the clock, you can easily tell your time. If you have an analog clock, wait until "it is at the top", i.e. at the 60, swim your 25 yards and note where the moving hand is when you touch the wall.
Also, don't get hung up on your or anyone else's height. You cannot control that. But you can control your technique. And technique is THE most important aspect to swimming fast. It's all about going through the water with less drag then anyone else.
BTW Janet Evans who held the 800 record for more than ten years, is 5' 5" tall.
