Why is it I can do 3600 yards comfortably, but it is a supreme struggle to manage 2500 meters? I can't believe the walls make THAT much difference. I know that part of it is psychological, but my leg cramps last night were not in my head! Since switching over this week, I only did 1600m Mon, 1800m Tu, 2100m Thurs and 2500m this morning. I imagine part of my exhaustion is that I tapered for Ynats, but I always feel this way about long course.
I love long course but when we switch over, like we did a few weeks ago, it always takes me several weeks for my body to get used to it. I think last year, when we first switched, I was doing 100 free on the 1:45 and down to 1:30 by the end of the season. Give it some time and it will get easier.
Originally posted by phm41
Why is it I can do 3600 yards comfortably, but it is a supreme struggle to manage 2500 meters? I can't believe the walls make THAT much difference. I know that part of it is psychological, but my leg cramps last night were not in my head! Since switching over this week, I only did 1600m Mon, 1800m Tu, 2100m Thurs and 2500m this morning. I imagine part of my exhaustion is that I tapered for Ynats, but I always feel this way about long course.
If you are any good at all off the walls, it makes a very big difference. Swimming long course will get you in much better swimming shape because you have to do so much more swimming.
My pool is scheduled to be switched to long course tonight, and I am looking forward to it. I will do relatively easy workouts for a few days to adapt. I think long course seems more difficult at first because turns are fairly restful - while you are in the streamline position. your muscles get a bit of a rest - at least it seems that way to me. Long course has half as many turns as short course - I know that my times in short course meters are always faster than my times for long course meters because of this.
I have the same problem- I'm a SC lover, but we almost always go long course (we're fortunate to have two pools)... however, if there's a meet or something and we have to go SC for awhile, I find the change back to LC excruciating!!
when I asked my coach why this is, he simply told me that LC course is, well, longer than SC ( a no-brainer, right? :)) . I guess that the little bit of distance, plus less rest at the turns, makes a BIG difference during the course of a practice...
peace...
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Try finding a pool that is long course in Britain to train in !!!!!!I would love to be able to choose whether to train in SC or LC.:(
sorry... actually, i liked the 33.3 metre pool i swam in in London...
it was just the right length!! the other one i used was 30 metres, which was nice (the length that is, not the people:()
Originally posted by mark_varney47
Try finding a pool that is long course in Britain to train in !!!!!!I would love to be able to choose whether to train in SC or LC.:(
I hear your pain. I think there's only ONE LC pool in WY :( And it's a 6 hour drive from here :(
I love training long course though, open water is even better though :D
Arguably the most demanding pool event: 200 meter LC butterfly.
Last year I thought I was in pretty good shape until I first trained long course. It's brutal but I love swimming outside. You get used to it eventually, but it's definitely a bear at first.
most demanding pool event: 200 meter LC butterfly
Kirk,
For what it's worth, I totally agree.
'01 LC at Federal Way - NO GUTTERS! FLAT WALLS!
I know that is how it's (supposed to be) done but, what a shock.
Couldn't get my 3 or 4 extra breaths in. :eek:
How were your early mornings? Your results looked good.
Originally posted by jim clemmons
How were your early mornings? Your results looked good.
Not bad at all. I was able to get to bed early enough that I felt well rested in the morning. I think the length of the meet got to me the last day, but overall I've got to be happy. Now time to start planning for next time :)
