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!
It's kind of a relief to know there are ppl in a master's group who "can barely swim 100." I tend to be at the VERY slow end of the workout groups I've been in (except for one that has since disbanded that had a couple ppl at the same level I was).
My usual times--please don't laugh--pushing myself I'm happy to get maybe 1:03 or so in a 50, 2:15-2:30 in a 100, 4:50-5:10 in a 200. etc. Not too great, but I can hang in for a long time, swimming a two hour practice... Longest no. of yards I think was 3600. Goal is 4000 for Jan.
But I kept thinking to myself, "am I possibly the slowest swimmer in any masters' practice ANYWHERE?" Not that this stops me from doing the practices. I do them along with running and when I see my bp and resting pulse (high 30s and I'm 56 yrs. old), I KNOW I'm doing what I need to do for myself. Better to wear out than rust out.
I think it's fabulous that you are swimming at all! Good for you. Don't worry about trying to keep with other swimmers or whether or not you are the slowest. You are doing something good for your health and reaping the benefits. Congratulations!!!! :woot:
It's kind of a relief to know there are ppl in a master's group who "can barely swim 100." I tend to be at the VERY slow end of the workout groups I've been in (except for one that has since disbanded that had a couple ppl at the same level I was).
My usual times--please don't laugh--pushing myself I'm happy to get maybe 1:03 or so in a 50, 2:15-2:30 in a 100, 4:50-5:10 in a 200. etc. Not too great, but I can hang in for a long time, swimming a two hour practice... Longest no. of yards I think was 3600. Goal is 4000 for Jan.
But I kept thinking to myself, "am I possibly the slowest swimmer in any masters' practice ANYWHERE?" Not that this stops me from doing the practices. I do them along with running and when I see my bp and resting pulse (high 30s and I'm 56 yrs. old), I KNOW I'm doing what I need to do for myself. Better to wear out than rust out.
I think it's fabulous that you are swimming at all! Good for you. Don't worry about trying to keep with other swimmers or whether or not you are the slowest. You are doing something good for your health and reaping the benefits. Congratulations!!!! :woot:
