Can speed practice alone help long distance endurance?
Former Member
If I only practice to improve the speed in short distance, will it help increase the endurance needed for long distance? In other words, say I have trained for several months for (only) speed, could I, one day, suddenly find myself swimming long distance without feeling tired?
(Obviously the opposite is not true: simply being able to swim slow long distance doesn't help improve the speed.)
Parents
Former Member
One thing that occurred to me which may not be helped enough by short distance speed practice: breathing. I have the impression that breathing is more of a factor in long distance and OW water than in short, fast pool swimming. Also, my own experience is that oftentimes exhaustion is caused by improper breathing. What are your experiences? Any more comments appreciated.
being able to breathe on both sides is an important skill for open water swimming for many reasons, but it is also important to practice swimming with a less frequent breathing pattern once in a while; that way when you find yourself swimming the moguls you can breathe when opportunity presents itself instead of swimming with your head up.
One thing that occurred to me which may not be helped enough by short distance speed practice: breathing. I have the impression that breathing is more of a factor in long distance and OW water than in short, fast pool swimming. Also, my own experience is that oftentimes exhaustion is caused by improper breathing. What are your experiences? Any more comments appreciated.
being able to breathe on both sides is an important skill for open water swimming for many reasons, but it is also important to practice swimming with a less frequent breathing pattern once in a while; that way when you find yourself swimming the moguls you can breathe when opportunity presents itself instead of swimming with your head up.
