What's the right thing to do in this situation?
In general, in the National level group, drafting is a no-no. I really like training with them b/c drafting of any kind is pretty minimal. Either we all go 10 seconds back or if we are going 5 and you catch the person in front of you, you either pass them or they let you go in front of them at the next stop.
However, what do you do in this practice situation?
You are swimming 2nd in the lane. Boy in front of you starts missing the intervals during the last 25% of the set. He's done a great job of leading the lane until this point. You catch up to him as your entire lane is now missing the intervals (although the rest of the lane was missing the intervals on their own doing anyway).
However, you are not sure you can/ should pass him. Should I have tried to pass even though we were at the tail end of the set (and passing would be a heck of a chore as we were all pretty dead)? Stayed on his feet as the set is almost over? Waited another 5 seconds but then having other people on my feet? No one else was really on my feet as we had sort of put some distance between us and the rest of the lane. I sort of feel if the lane leader misses the send offs that it's more of a touch and go/ anything goes/ fend for yourself scenario.
Thanks!
Parents
Former Member
Kristina -
Rather than leave later, ask if he would like you to move up. It may help motivate him in either response he makes, and you will have an opportunity to push yourself through clear water for a change (rather than slipstreaming).
Quicksilver, #1 option you listed was great and I used that effectively a few days prior b/c there was time between repeats to ask how this guy (another one) was doing. As I suspected, he had a bad shoulder that day and I went ahead of him.
Redbird, makes a lot of sense. On this (looong) set, there was not time for any words. We were all touch and go. I'm not sure how realistic it is for a 36 year old woman to lead a lane during a USA-S National practice, but I will certainly start thinking about it if my body can hold up! :D
Kristina -
Rather than leave later, ask if he would like you to move up. It may help motivate him in either response he makes, and you will have an opportunity to push yourself through clear water for a change (rather than slipstreaming).
Quicksilver, #1 option you listed was great and I used that effectively a few days prior b/c there was time between repeats to ask how this guy (another one) was doing. As I suspected, he had a bad shoulder that day and I went ahead of him.
Redbird, makes a lot of sense. On this (looong) set, there was not time for any words. We were all touch and go. I'm not sure how realistic it is for a 36 year old woman to lead a lane during a USA-S National practice, but I will certainly start thinking about it if my body can hold up! :D
