Rookie question about base+ times

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:00:23 GMT

What a generic term base is. To me, it means at what interval you can complete a 10 x 100 on. The coaches around here seem to utilize this definition and it makes sense to me. Feel free to generate your own meaning as you see fit.

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

aztimm — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:10:54 GMT

This is definitely a team- or coach-based term. When I swam with the UofA masters team, we'd do a timed long distance (I think a 1500) a few times a year, twice for yards and once LCM. We'd divide that 1500 time by 15 to get our base time for the 100, then add the 10 sec to that. With my current team, we don't do the base time thing. The coach gives us a set and breaks it down by lane, and they usually know how fast the lane can go to be properly challenged.

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:58:08 GMT

The coaches sometimes use their little codes and plain language would be better. That is the reason I don't go to master club workouts.

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

Former Member — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:53:57 GMT

This has possibly been asked before but I could not find it. I am new to master's swimming and some coaches have given us workouts based on our 100 time. It usually reads something like: 6x200 on base + 10. But different coaches have defined this differently. I have been told that I should take my sustainable 100 time which means 10-20 sets with 10 seconds rest in between and consider that my "base" So if I can swim the 100 in 1:25 and as long as I get 10 seconds rest I can continue, does that mean my base time is 1:35? If so, what does the workout first mentioned mean? I had one coach say swim each 200 at your base time + 10 seconds per 100 of the set (i.e. 1:45 + 1:45 so 3:30 for the set) and another has said swim your base time and add 10 seconds of extra rest at the end of the set (i.e. 1:25 + 1:25 + :10 so 3:00 for the set). Can anyone clarify what the whole "base +" terminology means and how it works? Or direct me to a good site that explains it in detail? I appreciate all the help as I try to improve myself. Thanks! Try looking up a t-15 score. It uses distance you can swim over time with heart rate etc to measure yout cruise time. Hope it helps. Or get Coach Emmett Hines' book Fitness Swimming the full details are in there!

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

chlorini — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:42:48 GMT

From what I understand, base +10 usually means one of two things: 1. Add ten seconds to your base 100 time (so in your example 1:35 +10 would be 1:45 pace -- the 200 would be on 3:30). or 2. Add ten seconds to your base interval for the set distance (1:45 for 100 but 3:20 for a 200 since your 200 base would normally be 1:35 + 1:35 = 3:10) The best way to determine what your coach means for a given set is to ask. As geochuck's post suggests, terminology is not always completely consistent between coaches and teams (another example is that some coaches say "choice" when they mean "anything but free" but some include free as a choice). Coaches usually appreciate questions because it shows that you want to get the benefit they intended out of a set. It sounds like you are on the right track!

RE: Rookie question about base+ times

TRYM_Swimmer — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:02:11 GMT

Our coach calls our "threshold" time the average 100 time of an untapered, unshaved, random 1000 swim after a short warmup. He used to do a 30 minute swim with his teenagers for the same statistic. We then do EN2 sets, which, I think, is threshold - 7% and EN3, threshold - 10%. Something like that. All I know is a set of EN3 200s are killers!