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
Orca, great point. What's so challenging about USA-S National club team is that things are in continual flux. You've got college kids home for the summer and they are at varying levels of physical fitness as this is their off season. And then on some days you have SR I and National teams combined. On some days, certain swimmers are injured or very tired or not feeling well. On other days, you've got some kids breaking out to a new, amazingly fast level which is a beautiful thing to see! Add in the fact that there can be upwards of 12 or more people in a narrow lane. . . And don't forget that some of these sets are 1 to 1.5 hours in duration and they include a mix of pull, kick, and swim (so you've got different kids with different strengths).
It's the toughest practice you'll ever love. :)
I noticed when I swim masters, I can pretty much determine with certainty who will do what. There are fewer surprises I guess.
Qsilver, LOL! Well, the kids certainly get the better of me. I always get my daily serving of humble pie when I swim with them.
Rtodd, the lanes are the same width but they are NARROW! But the coaches DO tell us to pass so I have no excuse. I think if I bonk I have a small excuse of being old but I agree in that I'd prefer to avoid that humiliation!
Stillwater, I DO know this fast boy although he's improving at a HUGE rate (I agree with you in that surely I won't have this problem for long :bitching:); however, I've made some stroke changes that have made me faster so I'm still figuring out what I'm capable of. After round 1 of the set I went from 3rd in the lane to somehow leading it but this kind young man stepped in to save me.
Shark, you are a bada$$! :cheerleader: I will try and follow your lead! I don't think I'm daring these kids to do anything. I just hope to not be run over by them.
Orca, great point. What's so challenging about USA-S National club team is that things are in continual flux. You've got college kids home for the summer and they are at varying levels of physical fitness as this is their off season. And then on some days you have SR I and National teams combined. On some days, certain swimmers are injured or very tired or not feeling well. On other days, you've got some kids breaking out to a new, amazingly fast level which is a beautiful thing to see! Add in the fact that there can be upwards of 12 or more people in a narrow lane. . . And don't forget that some of these sets are 1 to 1.5 hours in duration and they include a mix of pull, kick, and swim (so you've got different kids with different strengths).
It's the toughest practice you'll ever love. :)
I noticed when I swim masters, I can pretty much determine with certainty who will do what. There are fewer surprises I guess.
Qsilver, LOL! Well, the kids certainly get the better of me. I always get my daily serving of humble pie when I swim with them.
Rtodd, the lanes are the same width but they are NARROW! But the coaches DO tell us to pass so I have no excuse. I think if I bonk I have a small excuse of being old but I agree in that I'd prefer to avoid that humiliation!
Stillwater, I DO know this fast boy although he's improving at a HUGE rate (I agree with you in that surely I won't have this problem for long :bitching:); however, I've made some stroke changes that have made me faster so I'm still figuring out what I'm capable of. After round 1 of the set I went from 3rd in the lane to somehow leading it but this kind young man stepped in to save me.
Shark, you are a bada$$! :cheerleader: I will try and follow your lead! I don't think I'm daring these kids to do anything. I just hope to not be run over by them.
