Swimming Question, 400m in under 10 minutes possible?
Former Member
Hi all my name is Joey and about a week from now I am taking a beach lifeguard test and the hardest thing by far is going to be the 400m swim in under ten minutes. I have been a pool lifeguard for four years and have had to do a 300m swim twice (one for initial testing and one for rectification). I have no benchmarks for time as the 300m pool swim I did was not timed and honestly I almost threw up both times after finishing it. I run competitively and my times are 17:15 for the 5k, 4:40 for the mile, and 55.xx for the 400m to give some perspective of my current fitness level. What can I do over the next several days to get ready for this test and how should I go about completing. Please not did any form of swimming since my pool lifeguard re certification test three years ago. Thanks!
As impressive as your run times are, and as certified beach lifeguard myself, I concur that your running prowess isn't really going to help you swimming. (4:40 was also my PR for the mile way back in 1979.) But, because you've already been a pool lifeguard...that tells me that you can at least swim with some efficiency. Since you said that your test is in just a few days...and keep in mind that's an open water swim...at this late date I think you should just try to concentrate on the "non-stop" aspect of the swim. Because, 10:00 for the 400m isn't all that fast, and you're not going to get "faster" in just a few days. So...presuming that your pool lifeguarding experience made you somewhat of a swimmer...just worry about finishing non-stop, but with a good effort. You'll likely make the time. BUT...I have another question. What is your experience swimming in open water? As a triathlete I have helped lots of athletes from all backgrounds get into the sport. The #1 biggest obstacle for most to overcome is the fear/concern of swimming in open water. Occasionally even the best h.s. and collegiate pool swimmers just freak out in the open water when they can't see the bottom, experience surf/chop, are overly worried about aquatic life, etc. So...if you're not accustomed to swimming in the open water...get out there and do that in the few days you have. Good luck.
Dan
As impressive as your run times are, and as certified beach lifeguard myself, I concur that your running prowess isn't really going to help you swimming. (4:40 was also my PR for the mile way back in 1979.) But, because you've already been a pool lifeguard...that tells me that you can at least swim with some efficiency. Since you said that your test is in just a few days...and keep in mind that's an open water swim...at this late date I think you should just try to concentrate on the "non-stop" aspect of the swim. Because, 10:00 for the 400m isn't all that fast, and you're not going to get "faster" in just a few days. So...presuming that your pool lifeguarding experience made you somewhat of a swimmer...just worry about finishing non-stop, but with a good effort. You'll likely make the time. BUT...I have another question. What is your experience swimming in open water? As a triathlete I have helped lots of athletes from all backgrounds get into the sport. The #1 biggest obstacle for most to overcome is the fear/concern of swimming in open water. Occasionally even the best h.s. and collegiate pool swimmers just freak out in the open water when they can't see the bottom, experience surf/chop, are overly worried about aquatic life, etc. So...if you're not accustomed to swimming in the open water...get out there and do that in the few days you have. Good luck.
Dan
