How do these swimmers swim so fast?

Hurt? I brag about never doing anything over a 100 ... But you're a sprinter; practically by definition, you are mentally unhinged. Coincidentally, that's probably exactly what sprinters say about non-sprinters, especially if they swim events like 200 fly, the mile, or 400IM. More seriously: I like 100s, but 50s...! It really seems like a different skill set than other events, not solely a function of fast- vs slow-twitch. I also instinctively distrust an event in which I'm not in pain by the end of the race. (Okay, I admit that makes it sound like *I* am the one unhinged.)

More time to train will be a great help, but it still comes down to the will to train. Many of us see that as a goal not an end to swimming.

I want to be just like Grace when I grow up!! I have very, very occasionally done triples (weights, swim, run). Those are awesome days. Since I'm just sitting on my butt now, I'm sure the taper b*tchies will start soon. Kristina: Old lady hair is easy to get rid of. Highlights are very good at hiding the gray. Well, maybe that works better for blondes ... Uh. I wanna be Grace now! Oh I've been highlighting. And even the pricey shampoo and conditioner can only do so much for my thin, frizzy hair. :cry: Any recommendations for dull skin? (Even pricey facial creams are worth a try.)

Kristina, Depends what you mean by "doubles." Leslie: I hear you about the taper b*tchies. I can tell that I am rested now because I feel fat and completely out of shape. I think I'll stick to doing what I feel like. Otherwise, it gets so confusing. I feel fat and out of shape too - we only did 5000 today. It was stroke and drill day. :mad::mad:

(S)he...avoid any and all advice from these people...go to the dark (sprint) side and stay there. The realm of no return is calling. . . noodling here I come!

Only 5000? Except for an occasional longer swim with the HS kids, that's the most I ever do...and *I* get booted off the island by the Smiths? Hmph. Booted off the island? Let's hope it's far from the mainland as then you will be in your favorite medium and can swim to your heart's content! :lmao: I also see you don't usually swim anything over a 200.

On the basis of my experiences with running twice a day, I would guess that swimming doubles would help with the 25k swim and hinder on anything of 10k or less. (And yes I do mean 10k swim.) Can provide the specifics, but of course, running and swimming are not quite the same, but doubles really only help you to write bigger numbers in a log. Back in college I swam doubles regularly. During my junior year I was trying to figure out why sometimes I came up flat in dual meets. I noticed this pattern in my performances at meets: Two days before dual meet: double workout One day before dual meet: single workout Dual meet: MONSTER PERFORMANCE Pretty much any deviation from the above -> CRAP PERFORMANCE The current version of this is that I run two days before a competition, do not run one day before the competition (biking and swimming are fine), and then light it up on race day, no matter what the race is (swim meet, triathlon, etc). I have no idea why my body responds so well to this type of 48-hour preparation cycle, but it does.

Oh, come on, Kristina. My wife (Grace) is almost 67 and she sometimes does triples with no ill effects. You're just going through a self-confidence phase at the moment. By the time you get to be 50, you'll realize that these limits are mostly mental constructs. The secret to training well is adequate rest and knowing when you are about to break. I want to be just like Grace when I grow up!! I have very, very occasionally done triples (weights, swim, run). Those are awesome days. Since I'm just sitting on my butt now, I'm sure the taper b*tchies will start soon. Kristina: Old lady hair is easy to get rid of. Highlights are very good at hiding the gray. Well, maybe that works better for blondes ...

Here's a link to an article about training smart not far. Seemed to work for these kids. www.wickedlocal.com/.../x1277309103

Kristina, Depends what you mean by "doubles." Regular doubles are certainly the norm for young/elite swimmers; I think the attendence minimum requirement for the fastest swim group at NOVA is 8 swim practices and 1 dryland workout a week (including weekends); most do more. There is no question in my mind that doubles helped my performance when I was a teen and in college. (There was a brief time one summer when I swam triples. Not really a fun time.) One difference from running: swimming just isn't as hard on your body so you can spend more time training (for better or worse). As an old guy, I would not regularly do double swim practices unless I could afford to take a recovery nap during the day. I just can't recover like I used to. And, even though my shoulders have been problem-free up until now (knock on wood), I would worry about them. Burnout would be an issue too. Now, if "doubles" includes cross-training, then if you have the time and motivation, go for it. I regularly swim and lift on the same day (swim in the morning, lift at night after the little one goes to bed). Other second workout options for me at home include Pilates and cycling on rollers or a trainer (I don't run). During the summer I'll go for morning or lunch bike rides on some days, if I can spare the time from work. I don't do those things during taper, though. Leslie: I hear you about the taper b*tchies. I can tell that I am rested now because I feel fat and completely out of shape. BUT...the advantage of not going to SCY Nats is that I can ramp things up next week! Think I'll celebrate with a 2-hour morning ride on Monday...