I'm new and have been catching up on reading. I don't have a lot of swimming experience and am swimming masters and not in college. But there are a couple things I just don't get.
1. Many posters seem very concerned about technique, but are still really focused on what is referred to as "engine buiding" and on power lifting and things that might not help their swimming as much. What is the lure of engine building exactly besides the endorphins? I guess you need it for certain events? I'm not saying this very well, but it seems like some people are working out harder than they should be? Why?
2. I read one of Ande's latest tips about sprinters on masters teams that ususlly focus on mid to long distance. Does this mean that sprinters should work out alone? I haven't really decided what I am yet, but my team does seem to focus more on distance stuff and long hard sets. Do any masters teams have sprint lanes or just lanes with different intervals?
Thanks. :)
here is a good article about masters sprinting
www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
enjoy
Jesse, this looks like just another reason to move to Texas. :rofl:
I'm going to try the following workout. It looks pretty fun. Better go stretch.
"Believe it or not, you can train to race 50s by doing sprints of half that distance in practice. Apart from warm-up and warm-down, this need be your only set. It is staggeringly simple: 8 x 25 kick, a full recovery, and then 16 x 25 swim. The key is to use long rest intervals, with a work-to-rest ratio of at least 1:4. Otherwise, lactate build-up will hamper your explosiveness."
Nicky:
As to question No. 1, I think you need engine building for the longer events. This issue was discussed at some length on the "How to train as a vessel shaper?" thread. I'm sure I used to train more than I needed to (not the last few months, however). I think some former AAU/USS swimmers who grew up on engine building and mega yardage find it hard to kick the habit or really embrace aerobic lite sprint training. I'm getting there out of necessity and an obsession with technique. And there are the endorphins ... If I really just did the above sprint workout, I would need to do some serious cross-training, which I already do.
As to question No. 2, my team does a lot of yardage. I do the sprint training on my own and don't or can't always work out with my team.
here is a good article about masters sprinting
www.usms.org/.../articledisplay.php
enjoy
Jesse, this looks like just another reason to move to Texas. :rofl:
I'm going to try the following workout. It looks pretty fun. Better go stretch.
"Believe it or not, you can train to race 50s by doing sprints of half that distance in practice. Apart from warm-up and warm-down, this need be your only set. It is staggeringly simple: 8 x 25 kick, a full recovery, and then 16 x 25 swim. The key is to use long rest intervals, with a work-to-rest ratio of at least 1:4. Otherwise, lactate build-up will hamper your explosiveness."
Nicky:
As to question No. 1, I think you need engine building for the longer events. This issue was discussed at some length on the "How to train as a vessel shaper?" thread. I'm sure I used to train more than I needed to (not the last few months, however). I think some former AAU/USS swimmers who grew up on engine building and mega yardage find it hard to kick the habit or really embrace aerobic lite sprint training. I'm getting there out of necessity and an obsession with technique. And there are the endorphins ... If I really just did the above sprint workout, I would need to do some serious cross-training, which I already do.
As to question No. 2, my team does a lot of yardage. I do the sprint training on my own and don't or can't always work out with my team.
