I'm swimming with an age-group team and I am having some concerns about the workouts. Today, the entire workout was breaststroke. Warmup - 1500 ***. First Set - 7x300 ***, 30 sec rest interval between 300s. Second Set - 300 kick (***), Third Set - 20x100 ***. Cool Down.
I made it through the warmup and 4 of the first 300s before I could no longer lift my arms and my legs were starting to cramp. I swam free the remaining 300s and completed the kick set before I had to call it quits. (No one else finished either).
I've got mixed feelings about this type of workout and I would like some feedback.
On the one hand, my *** stroke muscles got a great workout. On the other hand, it was impossible to maintain perfect form. Instead I concentrated mostly on high elbows and the outsweep portion as well as a good kick.
Prior to swimming with this particular coach, my philosophy was to not sacrifice form and technique for yardage. But are there times when it is good to overwork the muscles?
BTW: Although this is only my 3rd workout with this Coach, I have noticed that this type of workout is not unusual, we have yet to do any freestyle sets. It has all been butterfly, back and ***.
Susan, I practice with an age group team and have never done an odd workout like that. It does sound like the coach is killing the kids with over use, not working on technique and strength. I'd hate to see their knees in a few years. There is such a thing as concentrating on one stroke for a main set, but not to whole practice. I like the idea of asking her in an inqusitive way, what the purpose of the workout like that is. I know I ask my coach when it's a drill. Then I can work on what he wants us to work on.
Good luck and I hope the age group thing works out. I know it has for me and I love it (wearing the team's t-shirt as I type this).
Alison
Susan, I practice with an age group team and have never done an odd workout like that. It does sound like the coach is killing the kids with over use, not working on technique and strength. I'd hate to see their knees in a few years. There is such a thing as concentrating on one stroke for a main set, but not to whole practice. I like the idea of asking her in an inqusitive way, what the purpose of the workout like that is. I know I ask my coach when it's a drill. Then I can work on what he wants us to work on.
Good luck and I hope the age group thing works out. I know it has for me and I love it (wearing the team's t-shirt as I type this).
Alison
