On frequent occasions, I feel my form fall apart on tougher sets, but I finish regardless of my form. I feel it is more important to force my body to undergo the physiological adaptation resulting from these "near death" sets than to worry about maintaining form.
As long as I imprint the correct form in less strenuous sets I feel it is OK to gut tougher sets out when my form is falling apart. Many times I finish my workout with some shorter repeats to finish and leave the pool with the correct form imprinted in my mind.
This post is as a result of one of today's sets where I simply did not want to "give up" and switch from fly to free. I felt it was important to finish it the way I intended to give me a metal boost that I can do it as well as force the body to adapt. Is this mentality towards training wrong?
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On frequent occasions, I feel my form fall apart on tougher sets, but I finish regardless of my form. I feel it is more important to force my body to undergo the physiological adaptation resulting from these "near death" sets than to worry about maintaining form.
As long as I imprint the correct form in less strenuous sets I feel it is OK to gut tougher sets out when my form is falling apart. Many times I finish my workout with some shorter repeats to finish and leave the pool with the correct form imprinted in my mind.
This post is as a result of one of today's sets where I simply did not want to "give up" and switch from fly to free. I felt it was important to finish it the way I intended to give me a metal boost that I can do it as well as force the body to adapt. Is this mentality towards training wrong?
I know I have done the same thing as you. As I fatigue, I sometimes let my form diminish. I would say this is bad. It's all about repetition and muscle memory.
Sometimes when my fingers get tired, or my finger tips hurt while playing a song on my guitar, I let bad form take over because it is easier. Just like swimming, allowing bad form, will eventually become a habit, and one that is tough to break. With guitar, we are taught to practice the song at a slower pace until you get it right, then increase speed. Will this also apply to swimming?
My wife had a great outside shot in college, and good left-handed layup, but her form wasn't perfect, and it is because she never practiced perfect form. She will be the first to admit it.
I know it is a tough habit to break, but try and swim in race form. Even at your most tired, try and remember to do the little things that you know make you more efficient. For example, when I am completely relaxed, my stroke count will be 11-12 per lap. When I am tired and sloppy, it adds up, almost near 15-17. I am not saying 17 is bad, but 6 more strokes when I am tired? That's bad form. So I try and think about it during sets.
You'll be thanking yourself during a race when your tired and still using good form.
On frequent occasions, I feel my form fall apart on tougher sets, but I finish regardless of my form. I feel it is more important to force my body to undergo the physiological adaptation resulting from these "near death" sets than to worry about maintaining form.
As long as I imprint the correct form in less strenuous sets I feel it is OK to gut tougher sets out when my form is falling apart. Many times I finish my workout with some shorter repeats to finish and leave the pool with the correct form imprinted in my mind.
This post is as a result of one of today's sets where I simply did not want to "give up" and switch from fly to free. I felt it was important to finish it the way I intended to give me a metal boost that I can do it as well as force the body to adapt. Is this mentality towards training wrong?
I know I have done the same thing as you. As I fatigue, I sometimes let my form diminish. I would say this is bad. It's all about repetition and muscle memory.
Sometimes when my fingers get tired, or my finger tips hurt while playing a song on my guitar, I let bad form take over because it is easier. Just like swimming, allowing bad form, will eventually become a habit, and one that is tough to break. With guitar, we are taught to practice the song at a slower pace until you get it right, then increase speed. Will this also apply to swimming?
My wife had a great outside shot in college, and good left-handed layup, but her form wasn't perfect, and it is because she never practiced perfect form. She will be the first to admit it.
I know it is a tough habit to break, but try and swim in race form. Even at your most tired, try and remember to do the little things that you know make you more efficient. For example, when I am completely relaxed, my stroke count will be 11-12 per lap. When I am tired and sloppy, it adds up, almost near 15-17. I am not saying 17 is bad, but 6 more strokes when I am tired? That's bad form. So I try and think about it during sets.
You'll be thanking yourself during a race when your tired and still using good form.
