Hi all,
I'm the Slow Swimmer in Residence at my swim practices, and this often means that I'm maybe halfway done with a set when people are moving on to the next one. Usually, I have the slow lane to myself, which widens my options somewhat (if I don't, I do whatever the others are doing, even if it means moving on to the next set before I'm done with the previous one).
Since I almost NEVER finish my sets the same time as the others (unless I get to the practice earlier... that allows me to come out even with the others at least on the first set), would I benefit more from (a), (b) or (c)?:
(a) jump to the sets that others are doing even if not finished with all the repeats (ex.: 10x100; others have moved on to 250s. I have done 5-6 100s... following this option, I'd stop doing the 100s and move ahead to the 250s).
(b) finish the set I'm doing, then start on whatever set others are doing, even if they're, let's say, two or more sets ahead of me.
(c) finish the set I'm doing, then move on to the next one in the order the coach listed, only skipping ahead if the time allotted for the workout is drawing to a close and I need the warmdown.
Underlying all this, I guess what I am asking is whether it's better to do fewer repetitions but more of the sets that everyone's doing or all the repetitions but finish fewer sets.
Some might say I should retire to the open lap swim, but I'm not ready to do that. ;)
Thanks for your help!
Parents
Former Member
If you don't have guidance from the coach...
I suggest you try to mesh with teammates and keep the spirit of the workout so you are getting the same level of intensity and work:rest as they are (start and finish each repeat about the same time as teammates do). Usually that means not going as far for each repeat but doing the same # of repeats.
That way you should still get the desired mix of aerobic, sprint, stroke work.
If you only have 45 minutes to get in a 60 minute workout, something else has to go. I like cutting out entire sets rather than watering them all down.
If you don't have guidance from the coach...
I suggest you try to mesh with teammates and keep the spirit of the workout so you are getting the same level of intensity and work:rest as they are (start and finish each repeat about the same time as teammates do). Usually that means not going as far for each repeat but doing the same # of repeats.
That way you should still get the desired mix of aerobic, sprint, stroke work.
If you only have 45 minutes to get in a 60 minute workout, something else has to go. I like cutting out entire sets rather than watering them all down.
