I'm sure everyone has experienced this: the last length of a race, and all of a sudden your arms just don't work anymore - they feel like they're made of lead or rubber. My questions are:
1. What is this - lactose build up? lack of muscle strength or endurance? poor technique? Going out too fast?
2. (more importantly) What type of training helps this? I realize any training regime needs to be balanced between strength, endurance, technique, and flexibility; but what can I do to combat this feeling specifically? (I am in pretty good shape, and have been swimming Masters for a year; I swam competetively as a kid, too).
This past weekend I swam in a meet, and thought I was going to drown on the last length of 100 free...I could barely get my arms out of the water to take another stroke...never has the touch pad looked so inviting...
Thanks for ideas you can give me.
The not wanting to function is commonly called lactate buildup but it's pH. They are more like two sides of the same coin.
For hot to get past it, the sets are called lactate tolerance sets. I don't have any right on me, but put it in google and you'll get plenty of hits.
Thes are usually done as you get closer to race day. If you are jus getting started, there is no need to worry, it will come along with time.
The is one sure fire way to help your arms,.......
Hit the weights. Do isolated sets for you triceps, but make sure you give your biceps a chance to get stronger.
Increase strength in the bicep will help your arm endurance.
I think that you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.:)
