Yardage

I swim 3 times a week usually (some weeks 4). Two weekdays a week which are 90 mins and one Saturday which is 2 hours. I average 5000 a workout during the weekdays and 6400 on Saturdays so a total of 16,400 a week. I do the GTD so I record all my yardage. Thanks Mary!!

Patrick, Looks like we're on the same training plan...at least for engine building. At some point in the season, I'll drop yardage, getting extra rest, and focus more on speed while maintaining the base since I'm a sprinter - no 400 IMs, 500 frees in my future:bow: But I'll say this, I think you do have to put in a decent amount of yardage in "high endurance" (EN3) mode at some point, e.g., 8-10x200 gut buster sets on short rest (15-20 seconds) -- or something similar. My observation is that it is on the back half of these long sets where I give myself the chance to make the most progress and where I really feel training adaptations kick in. I can't tell you the number of times I approach the half way point of one of those kind of sets thinking I'm not gonna make it, and out of the blue, I find another gear and can really descend it. Ever felt that in your training? Mark ...Like everything, there are "diminishing returns" on incremental yardage. I believe that I can continue to get faster this year by averaging 20K during my peak periods. I do supplement this with weights, core work and the occasional lunacy of running. If I had more time to train, I think to really reach my (age adjusted) potential in my two target events (400 IM, 500 free), I would need to do: 5 to 6 swimming workouts a week, totally 25K to 30K with primary emphasis on technique and quality 3 full body weight lifting sessions per week 2 to 3 sessions of core work (e.g., strictly core, Pilates, yoga or some fusion thereof)

I am definitely not yardage focused - even though I record it. I am a data-oriented guy so I write it down. I too am a sprinter so distance is not interesting to me (for lots of reasons). I am only willing to spend about 75-80 minutes in the pool for a single workout so I will train what makes sense in that time.

My masters team practices four days a week, but I usually only go to three of them. We tend to swim anywhere from 3,000-3,800 yards per workout, so about 10,000 yards a week would be a pretty good average for me. That said, I also do plenty of cross training. I usually lift weights once or twice a week, and run or bike once or twice a week as well. So even if I'm not doing mega yardage, I'm still working out about six days a week.

could be an interesting poll to see what different distance specialties think about yardage, how much is ideal, do you even keep tabs on it? I'm also a sprinter and dont focus too much on the numbers. Like jeff i'll do other things if i find a set to contain lots of "garbage" yards. And much like Ande I do try and make sure when im working out i make sure i get yards where i am swimming "FAST" (which i take to mean 95%-Race Pace kinda deal)

I do tons of yardage. Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I do more yardage, and it cheers me right up.

I do tons of yardage. . . . 2000 yards is not a ton.

I probably should have asked for everyones yardage as well as training goals and times they are producing with the yardage. I am curious to know if those who put in 20K are doing better/worse/same as those who put in 15K, 12K, 10K or less. I just recently moved from 6-8K per week to 12-14K and am swimming much faster times all around, but I am only putting in 4 days per week, which leaves me plenty of rest days for recovery. I really want to know if putting in another 4-6K per week would make me much faster or not.

I probably should have asked for everyones yardage as well as training goals and times they are producing with the yardage. I am curious to know if those who put in 20K are doing better/worse/same as those who put in 15K, 12K, 10K or less. I just recently moved from 6-8K per week to 12-14K and am swimming much faster times all around, but I am only putting in 4 days per week, which leaves me plenty of rest days for recovery. I really want to know if putting in another 4-6K per week would make me much faster or not. I don't keep track of my weekly or annual yardage. I agree with SKO's comments above that it is generally the "quantity of quality" that matters most. I like being in the pool 4-5 x per week rather than just 3-4 x though. However, if I had to guess, I'd say I average 12-15K a week in 4-5 workouts, sometimes more and sometimes less. I've only done 20K once in my masters career (a week ago, in fact, had to look it up). However, I am a sprinter, so don't need as much yardage. This yardage seems to be sufficient for me to land in the top ten in my events. Mid D or long D swimmers will need more yardage, I'm sure.

I probably should have asked for everyones yardage as well as training goals and times they are producing with the yardage. I am curious to know if those who put in 20K are doing better/worse/same as those who put in 15K, 12K, 10K or less. I just recently moved from 6-8K per week to 12-14K and am swimming much faster times all around, but I am only putting in 4 days per week, which leaves me plenty of rest days for recovery. I really want to know if putting in another 4-6K per week would make me much faster or not. I would say that I am swimming alot faster than when I was doing about 15K a week or less back in 2004 to 2005. Plus, my workouts are more intense today than in 2004 to 2005. But now, I have more stamina for the longer free events and 200 fly than I did back then.