Just wondering if anyone else has this problem and what anyone might think is the best solution....
I've been working back into competition shape after some time off. I started by swimming on my own, then swimming a couple of days with the Masters team to swimming 4-5 days with the Masters team. I'm making progress, getting back into shape and all, but still have a hard time keeping up with a few of the intervals in sets our coach provides. Some others in the group also have trouble. I don't think the coach should change the intervals; I think I simply should continue to improve to meet them.
My question is, if you can't make the intervals for a set, do you shorten the length of the swim to make the interval (i.e. doing 250s instead of 300s), or use fins to keep up? Right now I use fins and swim the prescribed distance, and the fins help me make the time. Others shorten the distance to make the time.
I'd hate to become dependent on the fins or somehow hinder my progress by relying too much on them -- what's too much anyway? -- but I haven't wanted to cut short the yardage.
Any thoughts? I appreciate your help!
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Former Member
I guess it may depend on how many lanes you have to choose from. If you have to stay limited to a lane where most swimmers are able to do the interval, then fins or shorter distance are good options (mixing them up). But . . . if you and others are having the same problem, why not go into a different lane and change the interval? For example, if you've got 8 x 100 on the 1:30, change it to the 1:40 or 1:45 or whatever you are capable of . . . then, as you improve, move back into the faster lane with the more challenging sets.
I guess it may depend on how many lanes you have to choose from. If you have to stay limited to a lane where most swimmers are able to do the interval, then fins or shorter distance are good options (mixing them up). But . . . if you and others are having the same problem, why not go into a different lane and change the interval? For example, if you've got 8 x 100 on the 1:30, change it to the 1:40 or 1:45 or whatever you are capable of . . . then, as you improve, move back into the faster lane with the more challenging sets.
