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
Former Member
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...
Excellent post. Couldn't agree more on the warm up thing.
I went a lifetime best time on my last event (#6 of 6 events) on the last day of a 3 day meet. Swam the 200 FR exactly 15 minutes before my last event of a 100 fly and posted a :58.1. I felt warmed up, fluid, and ready to go.
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...
Excellent post. Couldn't agree more on the warm up thing.
I went a lifetime best time on my last event (#6 of 6 events) on the last day of a 3 day meet. Swam the 200 FR exactly 15 minutes before my last event of a 100 fly and posted a :58.1. I felt warmed up, fluid, and ready to go.
