I couldn't find this question answered on the USMS site, so here goes....
What's the mix of courses in USMS competition?
I take it that Nationals are always LCM?
Below that, are there general trends I should expect to see, e.g. mostly SCM with some SCY but few LCM?
The reason I ask is that I want to know how best to train, especially if/when to spring for a membership where I can use a SCM pool (my gym is SCY), altho I'll probably do that anyway at some point b/c the gym pool has no blocks. :(
I'm also curious about others' experience with training SC and competing LC. There are some LC pools in the "big city" nearby, and perhaps I could do some training there as I get closer to having to compete LC (which hopefully I'll do eventually).
A rather open-ended post, I know, but any information is helpful.
There are 2 Nationals:a SCY in May and a LCM in Aug.There are generally more SCY meets and they are generally all year round.LCM meets are mostly just in the summer and SCM meets are mostly in the fall.I train almost exclusively SCY but I love LCM.To train SCY for LCM do over distance stuff(125 for 100,225 for 200) and go to some LCM meets.
I train pretty much exclusively scy, but I wind up swimming better in lcm. Maybe I'd swim even better lcm if I'd train lcm. My only scy times are from one specific pool, it could be that the pool is a "slow" one and the lcm pool I swim in is a "faster" pool. I also like to swim over-distance because I like swimming lcm.
:bouncing:
I train in a 25 yard or 25 meter pool and still attend long course nationals each year. I try to attend one or two LC meets before nationals to get used to the 50 meter pool.
I prefer LC for 50s, probably because my turns aren't good. I also like distance events in LC. However, I never feel as confident in 100s and 200s when I swim LC. I think that's where training in a 50 meter pool would help to get the pacing right.
Do y'all find that your performance is affected one way or the other by the move from SC to LC? I would think it could be a shock to train w/ a turn every 25m and then have it removed. Time should slow down, no, without the rest and push that a turn provides? Or is that compensated for by not having the zero-momentum time at the wall?
LC times are slower,I lose about 1.5 sec per turn not taken.200 BR LCM is a totally different race than SCY.It is 10% longer,but I take almost 40% more strokes(about 80 vs about 50.)
Do y'all find that your performance is affected one way or the other by the move from SC to LC? I would think it could be a shock to train w/ a turn every 25m and then have it removed. Time should slow down, no, without the rest and push that a turn provides? Or is that compensated for by not having the zero-momentum time at the wall?
Do y'all find that your performance is affected one way or the other by the move from SC to LC? I would think it could be a shock to train w/ a turn every 25m and then have it removed. Time should slow down, no, without the rest and push that a turn provides? Or is that compensated for by not having the zero-momentum time at the wall?
swimming long course allows you to get in a groove and keep it going w/o having to turn. the best LC swimmers seem to have pretty good fitness levels, good kick and a strong, efficient stroke. as you become more efficient, the time difference between SCM and LCM really shouldn't be that much (my 200 free SCM is only .15 faster than LCM).
The key is good turns. In LC, since there are significantly fewer turns, it is even more important to make sure you come into the wall fast, tumble quickly and push off strong, tight and long. A good turn will maintain your momentum, carrying it over from one length to the next.
to answer the question, i think my performance is affected in the positive because of LC training. I feel much more in shape, much more efficient and my turns are near flawless towards the end of summer. it's a great way to feel heading into the fall engine-building season.
As much as I love the wall, I prefer to swim long course. However, if I don't train in a 50 meter tank the first couple of times are a real mind/body mess. Muscle and mind meory are a difficult hurdle.
My goal is to at least get some pool time in a 50 meter course when I can. It helps me. Otherwise, I have little pacing.
