Recently, I have been more interested in getting in frequent swim workouts, then actually worrying about what I am trying to accomplish in the water. On many occasions, I will arrive at the pool for an independent workout without a much of a plan.
Are these workouts garbage, or are the beneficial because I am filling the gaps between planned team workouts?
My independent workouts are fairly short, always less than 3k meters unless I have a planned set, and the workouts usually have a single focus, even when that focus materializes only minutes before jumping into the water. The focus can be somewhat general (kick) or it can be specific (EVF while sprinting).
The team workouts usually have a useful theme for the main set.
Recently, I have been more interested in getting in frequent swim workouts, then actually worrying about what I am trying to accomplish in the water. On many occasions, I will arrive at the pool for an independent workout without a much of a plan.
Are these workouts garbage, or are the beneficial because I am filling the gaps between planned team workouts?
My independent workouts are fairly short, always less than 3k meters unless I have a planned set, and the workouts usually have a single focus, even when that focus materializes only minutes before jumping into the water. The focus can be somewhat general (kick) or it can be specific (EVF while sprinting).
The team workouts usually have a useful theme for the main set.
They don't seem like garbage yards to me, especially if you're doing something (speed work, lactate work, kicking, SDKs, technique/drills) that your team doesn't focus on sufficiently. Sometimes that kind of work can only be done well alone. I say persist.
I'm not quite sure about how to define "garbage yardage." I understand the concept of maintaining good form while swimming, but I think there's merit to swimming distances beyond what your capable of in "super perfect form." It can be an opportunity to develop the strength/endurance needed to swim your race in good form, even when you're tired. However, I don't think you should swim beyond the point where you're stroke breaks down entirely and I think there's a fine line between building your engine and blowing a gasket, so to speak.
For myself I probably swim more yardage than I need to since I'm currently focusing on 50s & 100s, but I also use swimming as a means of maintaining health (managing cholesterol, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, etc.), and also as a means of relieving stress and getting that endorphin fix.
I usually don't decide what I'm going to swim workout-wise until I finish with some sort of warmup. This probably explains the monotony of my workouts, I have to do relatively simple sets so I can remember what I did later.
Based on your post, IMHO it didn't look like you were doing garbage. I would define garbage yardage as plowing through a swim when you really don't want to be there. It sounded like you want to get some more swim time in, so why not?
:banana:
To me the definition of garbage yardage is sloppy & slow. I don't think one can go in everyday and go fast & perfect and I see value in doing some workouts that are at a slower pace, but with a focal point on technique. I did one today myself and think it was quite beneficial.
I do generally go into a solo workout with a plan, but, you can also look at a "blank slate" as an opportunity to "riff" on sets and improvise. That can be a lot of fun and you might surprise yourself and challenge yourself more once you're in the pool.
If its over and above you other workouts then it can't be "garbage". However, its always good to go in with a plan. Work on "something"....DSP, turns, SDK, catch, recovery, kicking, etc.
I'm tapering a little this week due to a 4.5 mile OW swim I have on Saturday so I kinda feel the same way as my yardage decreases during the week. However, I'm just really trying to focus in on bilateral and consistent breathing and my stroke while mixing in some pace and a few fast things here and there.
There is also PLENTY of workouts in the the "Workout" section of the forum and you can find every type of workout to work on whatever you want/need. Just print them off/write them down and you're good to go. I hate walking into the pool empty handed and not knowing what I'm gonna do....I guess I have to be in the mindset.
I'm currently following Nate McBride's workouts for the most part (I'm a distance kinda guy).:afraid:
I think as long as you are swimming mindfully, these are not garbage yards. I second Fort's idea of working on things you would like to work on that you team does not, or not as much as you would like. That can be breakouts, turns, kicking, drills, sculling, etc. I tend to work on stroke (non free), kicking, turns and breakouts when I workout on my own. I find it very helpful as an addition to the team workouts I attend.
--mj
I don't think these days are garbage. Even if you don't want to improvise or work on specific drills, you can use them as recovery days. If it's a tough yardage week, I find that an active recovery day (long warmup and maybe 1 set of moderate effort) during a tough week helps me finish the week more comfortably. I always feel worse after a day off from the pool- maybe that's the 'feel' aspect you are referring to? I think that you filling the day off is a good thing, hands down.
To me the definition of garbage yardage is sloppy & slow. I don't think one can go in everyday and go fast & perfect and I see value in doing some workouts that are at a slower pace, but with a focal point on technique. I did one today myself and think it was quite beneficial.
agree 100%.
garbage = noodlin
My rule of thumb is usually swim until my technique goes to crap.
Theres no use swimming if your sacrificing technique for more yards. That's why I only do sets of 50 of 75...I can maintain a decent technique until those yards/meters at this point and time.
