How Much Do You Warm Up Before A Meet?

Former Member
Former Member
I ask this because I did a 500 and then 5x50s warm up for a meet this past weekend. When I swam the 500, I was cruising but was literally dead after about 6 laps. I go much faster in practice sets when we do distance and it was frustrating to say the least. I recall that I did a 1,500 warmup in my youth and had a good meet. I also know that in workout I am usually at my strongest after we do about 1,500-2,000. So, I am tired of being a workout warrior. Does 1,500 of warm up sound crazy? Thanks, Rob
Parents
  • The smile on my older daughter's face (now 13) when she drops 10 or 20 seconds in one of these races is so much wider than when she drops a second in a 50 ... Another family-specific reason is that there's never been anyone in the history of Brundages who could sprint in any sport. quote] The Brundage 500 Freestylers! Below shot taken shortly after Dad swam a 17:04 in the 1650 while 500 freestyler daughter counted... at the AZ Polar Bear Meet. (sorry, couldn't resist) I wanted to add to the discussion that I have found as a swimmer and coach, masters swimmers generally do not warmup enough. Rarely have swimmers thought through, planned, and then executed a complete warmup. I had a coach who kind of threw his hands up in the air over this fact and took to telling us that we have to practice swimming fast without a decent warmup. Both scenarios are easy to practice. But hopefully you only have to experience racing with a proper warmup session. I like to consider some of the really good swims I have done at the end of a main set in practice. I sure was warmed up for those swims! Also, because I am often coaching and distracted at masters meets, I tend to swim the best at the end of the meet. A race that comes after swimming several events in a day - including warmups and sometimes even a cool down swim or two. I think I am or should be totally exhausted and yet out pops a decent swim...
Reply
  • The smile on my older daughter's face (now 13) when she drops 10 or 20 seconds in one of these races is so much wider than when she drops a second in a 50 ... Another family-specific reason is that there's never been anyone in the history of Brundages who could sprint in any sport. quote] The Brundage 500 Freestylers! Below shot taken shortly after Dad swam a 17:04 in the 1650 while 500 freestyler daughter counted... at the AZ Polar Bear Meet. (sorry, couldn't resist) I wanted to add to the discussion that I have found as a swimmer and coach, masters swimmers generally do not warmup enough. Rarely have swimmers thought through, planned, and then executed a complete warmup. I had a coach who kind of threw his hands up in the air over this fact and took to telling us that we have to practice swimming fast without a decent warmup. Both scenarios are easy to practice. But hopefully you only have to experience racing with a proper warmup session. I like to consider some of the really good swims I have done at the end of a main set in practice. I sure was warmed up for those swims! Also, because I am often coaching and distracted at masters meets, I tend to swim the best at the end of the meet. A race that comes after swimming several events in a day - including warmups and sometimes even a cool down swim or two. I think I am or should be totally exhausted and yet out pops a decent swim...
Children
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