Postal 10K

RE: Postal 10K

Former Member — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:49:21 GMT

Just to add a little something I am doing even though I train in the ocean. I've been doing 9x800's with just enough rest to hydrate each 800. Oh, I do these 3 days in a row, then 1 day off, and the next 3 days I do 6x800's same rest interval plus 3x800's sprinting every 20 strokes. Then I do something silly, I backfloat for 10 minutes and thank my stars I covered that distance! So every 3 days I take 1 day off; so far, so good; I seem to need the rest! And my mile time is falling now. Im swimming 4 miles in about an hour and 40 minutes.

RE: Postal 10K

smontanaro — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 06:30:11 GMT

I'm planning to do it for the second time this year (did it in 2005). I didn't really get bored. I was determined to complete the distance. Feeding breaks things up. I swam in a public pool so I had to keep my eyes open for people climbing into the pool and "swimming" (ladies with flowered bathing caps, not the type of people you could get a good draft from). I swam the 5k a month or so before the 10k as well. That might help people's confidence. Of course, building up to the distance in practice is important as well. A couple comments based on the previous messages in the thread: * No toys allowed (boards, pull buoys, fins, etc), so if you're planning to make the 5k/10k into workouts take that into consideration. * You *will* need to take in some nourishment. I recently timed Marcia Cleveland's 10k. She took hammer gel and maxim at the 4k, 6k and 8k marks. So for her it was at about one hour, 90 minutes and two hours. * If you're semi-serious about a good time, forget the 20-30 second feedings. Marcia's feedings were about 7 seconds each. Of course, Marcia is not your average distance swimmer either. :cheerleader: Skip Montanaro

RE: Postal 10K

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 15:50:08 GMT

Can someone explain to me what a postal race is? Possibly refer me to an explanation via a link?

RE: Postal 10K

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:54:18 GMT

Indy - thanks for the info. That should cover it. One more question: I seem to remember a postal event of considerable length - I think 100kgs. or maybe miles. It was to be done within a certain time period. Does this sound familiar to you? Syd - thanks to you too. Learned a great new word from your post. Somnolence - that's a good one. :yawn:

RE: Postal 10K

indyswimbag — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:59:35 GMT

RE: Postal 10K

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:59:37 GMT

Josh A postal is a virtual swim of sorts.... you do the event on your own with a counter/team whatever and then you enter the event...All the people that enter are then "scored" against each other according to age. We all do the same distance under the same rules and then at the end (somewhere in mid sept for the 5/10k's) all the results are compiled and scored according to time. So basically I swim it hear in houston and you swim it at your home pool and we turn our entry into the same place. So it is called 'postal'. there is a link under the competition link go to manuals/resources. hope this helps:p What a load of codswallop! Indyswimbag is having you on Josh. In reality it is all about providing a long enough distance to numb our bodies into a state of obedient somnolence so that we will not get involved in incidents of workplace rage and, thus, 'go postal'. Please see: en.wikipedia.org/.../Going_postal Syd

RE: Postal 10K

Muppet — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:24:36 GMT

OK Mr Poolraat, To fully answer your question, I would break this up into more manageable distances, as that will help you keep track. 50x100 will bore you to death, but it works. I would end up doing something like breaking it up by 1000, doing something like: #1 - warmup, 4/3/2/1 #2 - free pace set (ie 10x100) #3 - kick (ie 400 4-position kick, 12x50 desc 1-4, 5-8, 9-12) #4 - something IMish #5 - 500 of something exciting, 500 w/d

RE: Postal 10K

indyswimbag — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:10:27 GMT

yep you answered your own question:D It would make it a little more fun if you could do a little drafting...boredom is truly a problem during this event although last year I managed to workout an inservice for work during the event..thank god for counters...:banana:

RE: Postal 10K

knelson — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 05:56:32 GMT

my lanemate and I played catchup last year...he would work a 1000 then I would lead the next one Is this allowed? I thought you had to swim one to a lane in these potal events, or is that only for the one hour swim? The ability to draft would make it much more tempting! edit: OK, I'll answer my own question :) No, drafting is not allowed. You can swim two to a lane only if you stay on separate sides: RULES: The 2007 USMS Rules govern these events. Drafting, floatation and propulsive devices (pull buoys, fins, paddles, wet suits, etc.) are not permitted. When two swimmers share the same lane, each swimmer shall swim on one side of the lane during the entire race (no circle swimming).

RE: Postal 10K

Swimmy — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 05:29:11 GMT

RE: Postal 10K

poolraat — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:20:43 GMT

Thanks for your advice. I was thinking of breaking it into pieces and taking 20-30 sec. every mile or so to grab a drink or whatever. I imagine the boredom would be the worst. I found that to be the case when I did the 5K 2 years ago. That one I did as a continuous swim. I like the idea of "team swimming" it. If one of the other swimmers doing it is near my pace that would work well. I don't consider myself to be a distance swimmer but I do enjoy doing these longer events in the summer since the pool season is near non-existent around here. My goal this year is to do all 5 postal swims and get the patch. I am getting ready for my 4th foray into the event I consider myself a distance swimmer BUT even this takes that a little too far, I usually swim it in 2000m spurts, it is REALLY boring but once you get into it:rolleyes: it isn't too bad. my lanemate and I played catchup last year...he would work a 1000 then I would lead the next one...I was the last one in the pool last year and my coach (unbeknownst to me) would send someone in to "sprint" a 150 or so and I would try and catch them for something to do... Really there are no real tricks I can tell you, at the end just think of all the great food you can eat...bring LOTS of gatorade/water/etc for the end of the lane and the breaks and the fact that your hands will be swollen at the end of the swim....plus if you did the hour swim and do both the 5k/10k you are 3/5th of the way to getting a postal patch... good luck and just swim it!:groovy:

RE: Postal 10K

indyswimbag — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:01:07 GMT

I am getting ready for my 4th foray into the event I consider myself a distance swimmer BUT even this takes that a little too far, I usually swim it in 2000m spurts, it is REALLY boring but once you get into it:rolleyes: it isn't too bad. my lanemate and I played catchup last year...he would work a 1000 then I would lead the next one...I was the last one in the pool last year and my coach (unbeknownst to me) would send someone in to "sprint" a 150 or so and I would try and catch them for something to do... Really there are no real tricks I can tell you, at the end just think of all the great food you can eat...bring LOTS of gatorade/water/etc for the end of the lane and the breaks and the fact that your hands will be swollen at the end of the swim....plus if you did the hour swim and do both the 5k/10k you are 3/5th of the way to getting a postal patch... good luck and just swim it!:groovy:

RE: Postal 10K

FindingMyInnerFish — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:04:52 GMT

Yes, I forgot to mention that I would be plugging the 5k portion of the "10k/ 5k postal swim" Yeah, but start with the 10k and then when everyone starts turning pale, tell them, "oops, sorry, I meant the 5k!" And then those who wouldn't even have considered the 5k will be so relieved, they'll sign up. :D

RE: Postal 10K

Muppet — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 05:04:26 GMT

Yes, I forgot to mention that I would be plugging the 5k portion of the "10k/ 5k postal swim"

RE: Postal 10K

Swimmy — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:29:53 GMT

I think most of the team would not like the 10 K part of it. Good luck recruiting! Swimmy :)

RE: Postal 10K

Muppet — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 03:14:43 GMT

Well look who is getting himself into distance freestyle! I was thinking of introducing this to my team this year. I don't know that many folks on my team know about the USMS postal events, and I think it will be a great way to get non-meet swimmers involved in more USMS-sponsored activities that aren't meets.