I always struggle with the first few hundred yards of a swim. I know I could do better if I could reduce the sagging period I suffer at the start of longer races. I loosen off my muscles and feel ok but breathing seems to take forever to get settled. It happened to me in the first 10 miutes of a football match too, then I'd find my lungs.
I'm always terrified of blowing myself out if I get too aggressive in warm up.
What tricks or tips do you guys and girls have that you will share?
Thanks
Parents
Former Member
I usually need about a thousand yards to get the rust out each joint.
After an easy 500...I'll do around (10) 50's with a nice break in between each one.
The pace in a crowded warm-up pool is usually hurried...so it's very easy to become part of the frenzy. By having a wrist watch you can carefully monitor your speed and not overdo it. Some people come out of warm-up feeling like they did a work-out.
Fact of the matter is...they did! Control is key.
Think of it as an opportunity to become acquainted with the new pool. Get to know the walls...and the flags (if you're a backstroker.)
Doing a few one lap sprints is important after the initial swim.
It gets the blood rushing ...and wakes your body up for race pace swimming.
Again...not too fast. Save it for the race.
Here's a similar discussion on the Gary Hall (race club) site.
They say he warmed up with a meager 150 yard swim for the Olympic Trials.
Sprinters are a unique animal however.
www.theraceclub.net/.../viewtopic.php
I usually need about a thousand yards to get the rust out each joint.
After an easy 500...I'll do around (10) 50's with a nice break in between each one.
The pace in a crowded warm-up pool is usually hurried...so it's very easy to become part of the frenzy. By having a wrist watch you can carefully monitor your speed and not overdo it. Some people come out of warm-up feeling like they did a work-out.
Fact of the matter is...they did! Control is key.
Think of it as an opportunity to become acquainted with the new pool. Get to know the walls...and the flags (if you're a backstroker.)
Doing a few one lap sprints is important after the initial swim.
It gets the blood rushing ...and wakes your body up for race pace swimming.
Again...not too fast. Save it for the race.
Here's a similar discussion on the Gary Hall (race club) site.
They say he warmed up with a meager 150 yard swim for the Olympic Trials.
Sprinters are a unique animal however.
www.theraceclub.net/.../viewtopic.php
