How slow is a 40 min mile?

How do we become faster for a mile? It is not by swimming a mile. We have to improve our full stroke and do lots of repeats at Race Pace. Drills??? I don't think so. When I went to a masters club the coach never once made a stroke correction he/she wasted valuable time having everyone do drills. How fast do you want to swim your 25 min or 22 min mile. Easy you have to know how fast you must go for a 100 and never swim slower than that time for a 100. To swim a 22 minute mile we must go 1.15 per 100. So if I want to swim that 22 minute mile I should not swim under 1.15 for a 100. 25 min mile 100s are done in 1:25.3 per 100. Do your repeats at race pace...

Scottly what is a good time for your 100??? If we know this then we may be able to make suggestions.

Oops! The weekly workout is on Sunday mornings, 8:00 to 9:30. I forgot to mention the day. Red60, that's where I swim! I just drove past the Maplewood pools and saw a bunch there and wondered what was going on - now I know. Thanks for the tip I'll check it out today when I go to lap. By the way in winter I 'll be siwmming at The Heights - short narrow lanes - I dread going back.

Scottly what is a good time for your 100??? If we know this then we may be able to make suggestions. I haven't really timed myself yet. But I'm guessing that I should time it at the pace I usually swim my 1600 and not what I would call my sprint speed.??

I would like to know how fast your 100 is. If we use your 1600 pace we already know that is not fast.

I would like to know how fast your 100 is. If we use your 1600 pace we already know that is not fast. I tried to time myself yesterday but kept getting what I though were absurdly fast times like 1:15 and 1:10 with my wrist watch, so I'll drag the pool timer out tomorrow and see if I can't be more acurate. I also came in at 35 min on my 1600 meter but once again it's hard for me to remember exactly where the hands were on my analog wrist watch. I need to find something digital with a stop watch feature - anyone know a good brand/model that I won't have to mortgage my house for?

If you did 1600 in 35 minutes, that averages 2:11.25 per 100, so I'm guessing your times were off somewhere along the line. Try looking for a Timex waterproof watch, i think they have one called the "iron man" which is water proof and can be worn while swimming. I know they have it at Walmart for less than $30. I also suggest doing Kevin William's workouts. They are fun, and keep things moving, and the 2:00 will probably be close to your ability level. Back in May when I first started, I was focused only on how far I could go, and got bored pretty quickly. I have been doing these workouts three times a week, and am never bored. Even though the focus is not on distance, you will find when you try a mile swim, you will have improved. I did two one mile swims, one month apart (and in that month i was out of the water for 1.5 weeks due to illness) and was able to drop my time by 45 seconds. It definitely works.

1.10 - 1.15 100 m close enough pretty good time. Does your pool have a pace clock www.recreonics.com/timing_equipment.htm The pools I swim at have two big ones, one at each end. To get your times down do 100s on 2 min. swim 1.40 rest 20 will give you a pace to do a 26.6 min mile. 1.30 pace gives you a 24 min mile. Reduce the rest over time and then eliminate the rest.

1.10 - 1.15 100 m close enough pretty good time. Does your pool have a pace clock www.recreonics.com/timing_equipment.htm The pools I swim at have two big ones, one at each end. To get your times down do 100s on 2 min. swim 1.40 rest 20 will give you a pace to do a 26.6 min mile. 1.30 pace gives you a 24 min mile. Reduce the rest over time and then eliminate the rest. Pace clock - that's what they're called. Yea, I just found out my pool has them but they keep them inside and you have to check them out which is what I'll do tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice and encourgement. At least I have a direction to work on while I look for a coach and/or swim group.

I found my cheap watch at Target. It's really ugly, has an orange yellow band and great big digital numbers. I only use it when I'm swimming. It cost about $10.