Have you ever noticed that some people get an instant boost from putting on paddles while others don't?
I swim with a training partner and we both hold around 1:10 "threshold" pace (per 100 yards) in training. When we put on paddles and do (as an example) 200s on the 2:35, I'll start out holding 2:25-2:30 and eventually tire out to the point of being touch and go. My training partner will hold 1:05-1:10 pretty comfortably.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how this relates to training and racing? Is more paddle swimming going to make me a faster swimmer? Is it irrelevant to swimming speed without paddles? Does this indicate that I need to do more lifting to get my lats and triceps stronger?
Anyone have any advice on training with paddles or stories about how paddle work has affected their racing?
Great advice and something you probably won't appreciate until you injure a shoulder. I used to love paddles and could swim close to race pace for long distances using them. After a shoulder injury I quit using them. When your shoulder is injured you can tell immediately that paddles put additional pressure on your shoulders. I've used them very sparingly since. I don't think paddles caused my injury, but I'm not going to risk it.
I caused a serious tear to my elbow tendon by using over-sized paddles, which took over a year to heal. I don't use them anymore.
Great advice and something you probably won't appreciate until you injure a shoulder. I used to love paddles and could swim close to race pace for long distances using them. After a shoulder injury I quit using them. When your shoulder is injured you can tell immediately that paddles put additional pressure on your shoulders. I've used them very sparingly since. I don't think paddles caused my injury, but I'm not going to risk it.
I caused a serious tear to my elbow tendon by using over-sized paddles, which took over a year to heal. I don't use them anymore.
