I just raced my 1000 free 30 seconds slower than last year, and the slowest I have ever swum it. Sigh. I believe I am slower because the base interval at my old team was 1:30 for free, with some sets faster, but rarely slower. I didn't get much rest, but my body was used to a 1:30 pace (I swam with them for 6 years and my times improved each year). Now at my new team, I have been training many more yards, more times per week, and I had hoped to be much faster...and yet, with this training, our lane never keeps a 1:30 interval, and we always get a lot of rest.
Does it make sense that my body has gotten used to the rest and so it just doesn't know how to keep a 1:30 anymore? Most discouraged at present. It didn't seem to slow anyone else down, I might add. I am a year older, but STILL. The next lane up from me at this new team keeps a 1:25 pace, a big difference from the lane I swim in, and one I can't do. Any thoughts, advice?
Isobel - I know how you feel, but like geochuck, it could very well have been just a bad day for you.
I don't like how you said you "can't do" 125s. You need to get a positive attitude about those 125s. Once the negativity enters, it creeps into EVERYTHING and you end up having swims like you just did.
The way I look at it is you have two options. 1: challenge your new lane to something other than the mickey mouse intervals you aren't a fan of; 2: train hard the next week or two, and then challenge YOURSELF by jumping in with the 125 folks.
If you go with option two, be prepared to work hard and be worn out a lot (think dead horse). But stick with it for period of time, and I think in the end, you'll stick with it rather than go back to the slow lane.
:banana:
Isobel,
I too train on a 1:30 base but can handle a 1:25 with paddles on and sometimes a 1:20 if I am feeling really good. Just use what you need to keep up with the faster lane and then start testing yourself without the added assistance. You will find you get better, faster working on the harder interval than the easier.
Our lane bases go up by 10's from 1:20 on. We used to have a number of people try to hold the 1:30 base but most have decided they don't want to work that hard on a daily basis. The 1:40 lane is eyeballing my lane for expansion, I asked them to wait until I could get down to the 1:20 then they can have it back. Hopefully I can get there by this summer. The way I have been dropping that is quiet doable.
Good luck to you as you push to the 1:25. YOU CAN DO IT!:cool:
Donna
I hear you when you say "can't do" is negative. But do you know how different lanes have attitude? The next lane up has attitude that intimidates me muchly. I don't think I'd be welcome. So I think I have to convince our coach to change our intervals.
Don't get downhearted Isobel. Better to get in with the 1:25 lane and not do all the repeats but I thinkyou can probably work at it, and then get in there. Like Muppet said
Chin up!
It's a USMS workout right? Do whatever you want. If the coach has a problem with you doing intervals that are going to benefit you then that's not much of a coach. As for the attitude laden fast lane swimmers, who cares what they think. You pay your dues just like they do. They might not be happy about it, but they will get over it eventually.
Good luck to you.
Now at my new team, I have been training many more yards, more times per week,
You didn't mention how long you have been with the new team, or if this was a tapered swim, but from the comment above, I wonder if you were just too tired. More yards and more times per week may be causing an overtraining situation until your body adapts to it. Once you adapt it is possible that you will see a sudden drop in your times.
Another thought that comes to mind is what is the actual time you are doing for the intervals? In other words, you say you are getting more rest in your current lane, but are you doing the intervals faster than when you were in the 1:30 lane? You can work on that without moving to the 1:25 lane.
Keep up the good work.
if he (the 1,000 free) broke your heart
pick up the pieces put 'em together
use duct tape or super glue
be determined do whatever
whatever you need to do
to heal your wounds 'n make 'em scars
I'll tell you what don't sit on your butt
and *** about your broken heart
Lyric by Ande Rasmussen
Who's to say how fast you can swim a 1,000 free
I'd like a few more details about you.
We are a product of our training.
I know for a fact if you made it your personal mission to
train for the 1,000 free and improve as much as possible over the next
90 - to 180 days
you could obliterate the time you did last year.
You could make remarkable improvements.
Don't be depressed, get pissed, be determined
Do something about it.
Coaches can't read your mind
You have to advocate for yourself
If there's a faster lane move to it
Get stronger
Swim as hard everyday in practice as you would in a meet.
Hope this helps
Let us know what you decide
ande
I just raced my 1000 free 30 seconds slower than last year, and the slowest I have ever swum it. Sigh. I believe I am slower because the base interval at my old team was 1:30 for free, with some sets faster, but rarely slower. I didn't get much rest, but my body was used to a 1:30 pace (I swam with them for 6 years and my times improved each year). Now at my new team, I have been training many more yards, more times per week, and I had hoped to be much faster...and yet, with this training, our lane never keeps a 1:30 interval, and we always get a lot of rest.
Does it make sense that my body has gotten used to the rest and so it just doesn't know how to keep a 1:30 anymore? Most discouraged at present. It didn't seem to slow anyone else down, I might add. I am a year older, but STILL. The next lane up from me at this new team keeps a 1:25 pace, a big difference from the lane I swim in, and one I can't do. Any thoughts, advice?
Was this 1000 free at the New England meet? If so, you might have been a bit tired if you had been shoveling snow Friday night or Saturday morning before going to the meet.
Also a possibility - you missed your taper, or you didn't get much of a taper at all. You may just be broken down, and need some more rest to swim fast.
-Rick
