Swimming Question, 400m in under 10 minutes possible?

At your fitness level, 400M could be under 4:30. 4:40 mile? Damn. Anyway, if you can get any coaching, probably mostly breathing fpattern, before, that would be a big help.

Sorry for the ambiguous wording. Was trying to focus on fitness level and what is possible. Not that a non swimmer could do that, but rather that the fitness level of one who can run a mile that fast is likely on par with one who can swim 400M that fast. That is why I suggested he get some coaching to help provide some technique. He only needs to do it in under 10 minutes, at his fitness level, that should be a walk in the park. I only put a time up there to put in context where his issue is. word. Didnâ€t mean to make it seem like I was jumping down your throat there (if it was at all perceived that way)!

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. had so much trouble with this when coaching a womenâ€s college team. On training trip, tried to do an open water swim, and that was on a beach that had an enclosed area to keep large marine life out/limit surf and I got so much pushback from the ladies over getting in and swimming. To say that a few of them were scared sh*tless would be a gross understatement. i couldnâ€t see what the big deal was!

I once ran 1500m in 3:57.9, and I once swam 400m in 6:14, for some perspective. :) Good lord y'all are some fast runners. I did a 4:45 mile and thought I was special. I'm probably a 7 minute miler now. Can darn sure swim a 500 yard or 400M faster than I run a mile, though! FWIW, my daughter does a 4:34 400M, and I think does a mile in about 6 minutes, but that was for PE in school last year.

My best mile was 4:59 from high school. My best 5k is 20:04 (one day I hope to break that elusive 20:00 barrier) and my best 10k is 43:30. Also have a 1:47 half marathon to my name. (those last couple times are all from the past few years)

I once ran 1500m in 3:57.9, and I once swam 400m in 6:14, for some perspective. :)

I'm going slightly off topic here, but..... My fav running event was the 1500m, and my fav swimming event is the 400m. Both have similar WRs!! (3:26/3:32(SC)). Of course, there's no hope in hell that I will ever swim a sub4. :) Sub6 maybe?

I concur with everybody. :) Zongace, you are a fit dude. My general rule of thumb is time for 1 distance swimming is like 4 distance running. 400M swim is roughly comparable to a mile run. The big difference is running is largely instinctual; swimming is mainly technique. With your running time, if you are worried about finishing 400M in 10 minutes, there is an issue with your swimming skills. Probably fixable. Maybe fixable rapidly. Here's a 4 day plan: one lesson from a coach (or any half decent teacher), one practice by yourself, a second lesson, one rest day. Then hit it.

I wouldnâ€t say just because he is at a 4:40 mile fitness level that he could complete a 400M freestyle in under 4:30. Sorry for the ambiguous wording. Was trying to focus on fitness level and what is possible. Not that a non swimmer could do that, but rather that the fitness level of one who can run a mile that fast is likely on par with one who can swim 400M that fast. That is why I suggested he get some coaching to help provide some technique. He only needs to do it in under 10 minutes, at his fitness level, that should be a walk in the park. I only put a time up there to put in context where his issue is.

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