How do you determine whether you would be better off training and racing sprints or distance events?
I'm back into competitive training this winter after ~2 decades since high school. I used to coach age group, and I've been hitting some master's practices, so I'm not without direction for what I should be doing to get back in shape. I am, however, clueless about distance swimming.
I have no exposure to distance racing or training so I am starting to read up on it (Maglischo). In high school, with the longest event being the 500 free, everyone was a "sprinter" whether they were suited to it or not.
Since I'm basically rebuilding myself from the ground up, I am wondering whether I might give distance a try? What sorts of physiology, technique or psychology lend themselves to doing distance as opposed to sprinting? Or does this not really matter for a nearly 40-year-old masters swimmer that's been out of the pool for nearly forever?
How do you determine whether you would be better off training and racing sprints or distance events?
You need an aerobic base to train seriously for any of them, and while you are building that base you will figure out what you like to swim and what you like to swim will probably be influenced by what you are good at. If it is not, who cares, this is masters, you enjoyment comes first and you can always change your mind.
The last year I've had a lot of fun just setting a goal to swim every event at least once in a meet. The variety is great and it helps to ensure you don't get into a rut in training or practice. In high school & college, I was sadistically focused on distance only (where, FYI, Qbrain, ALL the cool intellectually vibrant people hang out). I've had loads of fun, though, with sprint events as a Masters' swimmer. As you experiment with events, you'll find ones to focus more on and you also might find fun focusing on different events different seasons/years/age groups. The key is to make Masters fun.
How do you determine whether you would be better off training and racing sprints or distance events?
You need an aerobic base to train seriously for any of them, and while you are building that base you will figure out what you like to swim and what you like to swim will probably be influenced by what you are good at. If it is not, who cares, this is masters, you enjoyment comes first and you can always change your mind.
The last year I've had a lot of fun just setting a goal to swim every event at least once in a meet. The variety is great and it helps to ensure you don't get into a rut in training or practice. In high school & college, I was sadistically focused on distance only (where, FYI, Qbrain, ALL the cool intellectually vibrant people hang out). I've had loads of fun, though, with sprint events as a Masters' swimmer. As you experiment with events, you'll find ones to focus more on and you also might find fun focusing on different events different seasons/years/age groups. The key is to make Masters fun.
