After reading some of the other postings I see I am out of my league here. I have never been a competitive swimmer, though swimming has been a lifetime pleasure. I am a runner. Not elite, but I enjoy 10ks and half marathons. I started lap swimming again 2 weeks ago for cross training purposes. It feels great. I know that in running, a rule of thumb is to not increase your distance by more than 10% per week. Is there something like that in swimming? I swam 1,000 yards (meters?) today in 35 minutes - a piker to all of you, I know - but if I am swimming 2x per week, does anyone have any general tips for me as I build up to an hour of swimming each time and to build my speed up some? Laura
Parents
Former Member
I am also a lifelong swimmer(non-competitive) but took up running 9 years ago when I quit smoking (needed to do something different). Gradually I built up my endurance & do a marathon or ultra every other month with shorter races in between. I assume that it would be the same 10% rule for swimming as it is for running--to just increase the distance over the weeks & months. I have signed up for my 1st competitive swim, the Big Shoulders 2.5K in Chicago & plan to build up to an hour & work on speed. Running really helps my swimming tremendously & makes the breathing so much easier. And swimming helps my recovery from running races--it gives a good aerobic workout without the pounding, uses different muscles, works the arms and keeps the body flexible.
I am also a lifelong swimmer(non-competitive) but took up running 9 years ago when I quit smoking (needed to do something different). Gradually I built up my endurance & do a marathon or ultra every other month with shorter races in between. I assume that it would be the same 10% rule for swimming as it is for running--to just increase the distance over the weeks & months. I have signed up for my 1st competitive swim, the Big Shoulders 2.5K in Chicago & plan to build up to an hour & work on speed. Running really helps my swimming tremendously & makes the breathing so much easier. And swimming helps my recovery from running races--it gives a good aerobic workout without the pounding, uses different muscles, works the arms and keeps the body flexible.
