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!
Fins are like swimmer heroin. If you start using them to keep up, eventually you will not be able to swim without them (psychologically speaking, of course). They are best used as a training aid, rather than a training crutch.
If you cannot make the interval, presuming there is a distance of substance involved (not 50s or 100s), shorten the distance swum and concentrate on the quality of the swim. Perhaps you can drop a 50 every other interval. Be creative and you will reward yourself. Use fins, and you are asking for a lifetime of hopelessness, misery and pain.... no, wait, that is for the REAL heroin. Fins just make it hard for you to go back to the naked feel of your feet and the water, because you get accustomed to the feel of the speed that the fins allow you to mainain in workout.
If you do not compete often or at all, go ahead and use the fins as much as you like, it won't matter, anyway, and you will keep up with your lane mates.
Fins are like swimmer heroin. If you start using them to keep up, eventually you will not be able to swim without them (psychologically speaking, of course). They are best used as a training aid, rather than a training crutch.
If you cannot make the interval, presuming there is a distance of substance involved (not 50s or 100s), shorten the distance swum and concentrate on the quality of the swim. Perhaps you can drop a 50 every other interval. Be creative and you will reward yourself. Use fins, and you are asking for a lifetime of hopelessness, misery and pain.... no, wait, that is for the REAL heroin. Fins just make it hard for you to go back to the naked feel of your feet and the water, because you get accustomed to the feel of the speed that the fins allow you to mainain in workout.
If you do not compete often or at all, go ahead and use the fins as much as you like, it won't matter, anyway, and you will keep up with your lane mates.
