Hello,
I have heard people say that some pools are 'fast,' but never really thought too much about it before a recent meet I swam in.
Our AZ State Long Course (50m) meets had usually been held at the Phoenix Swim Club, and I competed in several meets there. This year, it was held at the ASU Mona Plummer facility.
I know that it is possible for improvement over a year, especially with the coaching staff I'm exposed to, but is it really possible to shed 2 seconds in a 50m ***? Or over 8 seconds in the 200m *** over a year? About 9 seconds in the 800m free...
No, I have not (yet) purchased a full-body suit, but have considered that for some time. I have heard that they can make a difference too.
I guess I'm just trying to see if I can take the credit as self improvements, or if the ASU pool is significantly 'faster' than the Phoenix Swim Club.
Any comments would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Tim Murphy
Parents
Former Member
Pool conditions and dimensions can make a HUGE difference (in addition to personal conditions and dimensions!) Water temperature, weather (outdoor), climate control (indoor), lane width, lane line buffering, gutter systems, pool depth; all can be factors in how "fast" a pool is considered. To top it all off, if you have swum well in one pool and poorly in another, you may mentally build up one facility while making a second an "uphill both ways, against the tide" type situation. That said, all of these factors may not lead to you swimming well at one and less so at another. As Cynthia said, conditioning, eating habits, a great heat, or simply being in "the zone" can contribute the same if not more. I have swum at both facilities in Phoenix/Tempe. I really like the ASU pool and swam VERY well there in competitions. I only practiced at Phoenix and thought it was a nice facility. It however felt like a country club and I'm not sure how "fast it would be." (See, I may have created something in my own mind). Enjoy your times, remember how you trained, warmed up and felt/though during the races and USE THAT for your next big meet REGARDLESS of the pool you swim in. Oh, and stay away from the cheater-suits. No fun shaving!
Pool conditions and dimensions can make a HUGE difference (in addition to personal conditions and dimensions!) Water temperature, weather (outdoor), climate control (indoor), lane width, lane line buffering, gutter systems, pool depth; all can be factors in how "fast" a pool is considered. To top it all off, if you have swum well in one pool and poorly in another, you may mentally build up one facility while making a second an "uphill both ways, against the tide" type situation. That said, all of these factors may not lead to you swimming well at one and less so at another. As Cynthia said, conditioning, eating habits, a great heat, or simply being in "the zone" can contribute the same if not more. I have swum at both facilities in Phoenix/Tempe. I really like the ASU pool and swam VERY well there in competitions. I only practiced at Phoenix and thought it was a nice facility. It however felt like a country club and I'm not sure how "fast it would be." (See, I may have created something in my own mind). Enjoy your times, remember how you trained, warmed up and felt/though during the races and USE THAT for your next big meet REGARDLESS of the pool you swim in. Oh, and stay away from the cheater-suits. No fun shaving!
