Sorry if these questions have all been asked before, but here goes: I've been a lap swimmer for about 5 years and have been doing my 1 mile 3-4 times a week pretty much regularly, but I never seem to get any faster than my 35-40 minute mile. I've done plenty of searching via the internet and all of the workouts that I've come across (the shortest being in the 2500 range) are far too advanced and time consuming at the moment. Currently I'm rather overwhelmed. I understand the notion of intervals and anaerobic work, but when and how often should I be doing them? I've thought about joining the closest master's team(St. Louis) , but they are well over an hour away and at the moment I doubt that I would benefit from joining since I'd only be able to get up there once a month or so. Would anyone out there be willing to get me going in the right direction?
Thanks, John
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Former Member
Try doing intervals of 100 yards. Swim one as fast as you can, then rest, and swim one quickly but not the fastest, and then rest. Do this until you've swam one mile worth of 100 yrds. You will be surprised at how quickly you will improve. Also KICK, KICK, KICK! Do some kicking. Most people who haven't swam all of their life don't understand the importance of a good kick. Do 25yds (or whatever the lenght of your pool is). Then rest half the amount of time it took you to do the lenght & do it again. If it took you 45 seconds to do one length, rest 23 seconds. I really believe that this drill you should kick as hard and fast as you can.
Much advice given is not geared towards people who haven't been swimmers for most of their life and many of the advisors really don't understand how people who haven't swam allnof their life respond. I think that what I've just suggested is the best way for new swimmers to get used to true training. I hope you see some improvement.
Also, I don't think that dry land training is going to be much use to you right now. If you could find someone to look at your stroke, it might help. but remember, if the person tells you what to do & you don't understand - ask questions. the vocabulary of swimming can be very confusing at times.
Craig J.
Try doing intervals of 100 yards. Swim one as fast as you can, then rest, and swim one quickly but not the fastest, and then rest. Do this until you've swam one mile worth of 100 yrds. You will be surprised at how quickly you will improve. Also KICK, KICK, KICK! Do some kicking. Most people who haven't swam all of their life don't understand the importance of a good kick. Do 25yds (or whatever the lenght of your pool is). Then rest half the amount of time it took you to do the lenght & do it again. If it took you 45 seconds to do one length, rest 23 seconds. I really believe that this drill you should kick as hard and fast as you can.
Much advice given is not geared towards people who haven't been swimmers for most of their life and many of the advisors really don't understand how people who haven't swam allnof their life respond. I think that what I've just suggested is the best way for new swimmers to get used to true training. I hope you see some improvement.
Also, I don't think that dry land training is going to be much use to you right now. If you could find someone to look at your stroke, it might help. but remember, if the person tells you what to do & you don't understand - ask questions. the vocabulary of swimming can be very confusing at times.
Craig J.
