I hope you don’t mind me asking a noddy question – but it is one that is important for me....
I would be interested in your views on the correct training and focus to improve my swimming speed. My current freestyle 100 estimated PB is 1:10 and around 30 for 50. I can’t currently be more specific as I have yet to swim in a master’s meet – but have one planned for 6th March here in the UK.
Just for background I am 51 years old have previously competed at track, X Country & road running at a reasonable standard was an elite triathlete in the late 80’s competing for the UK in a few competitions... (lower standard then of course!!)
I am returning to swimming, which I did as a child with the aim of becoming competitive in my age group in the UK – and for me being competitive means competing against the best and ultimately winning or coming close!!
I currently train twice a day most days with one pool session and then something else such as gym work, running or rowing. My current swim mileage is around 18k a week and I swim with a club for about half of that yardage.... My times for the other three strokes are considerably slower and I currently complete 100 IM repeats in around 1:40 with breaststroke being the slowest stroke (but improving). While I am definitely quickest and most competitive at freestyle I do aspire to swim the other strokes at a higher standard and as such have entered 100 IM at the forthcoming meet!
So I guess I would be interested in any words of wisdom as to how I can make the transition from average club swimmer to competitive national age group swimmer. I do work full time and have a family – but will do whatever it takes to improve including swimming more mileage or twice a day or getting some one on one coaching.... I believe I do have the physiology to improve significantly as I got into the top 10 of the concept 2 rankings recently with some reasonable times and believe my VO2 Max is still in the mid to high 60’s (to be confirmed shortly). I was traditionally an endurance athlete with my best performances coming at the longer distances – but I currently aspire to improve significantly at the shorter distances before considering moving up to 400, 800 and even 1500!
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated....
Nick
Twitter: uknick
Facebook: Nick Ballard (look for the one with links to rowing or swimming groups)
Facebook Group: competitive @ 50
Parents
Former Member
so you want to train to improve your swimming speed.
50 & 100 fr are 1:10 and 30
you have a meet on 6th March in the UK.
you train twice a day most days with one pool session and then something else such as gym work, running or rowing. My current swim mileage is around 18k a week and I swim with a club for about half of that yardage
will do whatever it takes to improve including swimming more mileage or twice a day or getting some one on one coaching
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated....
YOU ASKED: how I can make the transition from average club swimmer to competitive national age group swimmer?
first thanks to Lindsay for suggestiong my SFF Tips, they worked for me and many other swimmers. Try a few they should work for you too.
list is long so here are a few to focus on:
IF YOU WANT TO SWIM FASTER IN MEETS
SWIM FASTER IN PRACTICE
Do the Help My ____ is Horrible
improve your speed, your SDK & your flutter kicking speed
Tip 05 ACTING AS IF
REMEMBER
ANYTHING YOU DO AND MEASURE
IMPROVES
Tip 265 Train harder, smarter, faster, further, more often, with a coach, with a team, in a convenient facility & at a convenient Time
GET ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT RIGHT
Tip 56 The 90 Day Experiment
Wow this is a lot to look at - I will take some time to digest it over the coming days. Thanks for your suport guys - much appreciated...
so you want to train to improve your swimming speed.
50 & 100 fr are 1:10 and 30
you have a meet on 6th March in the UK.
you train twice a day most days with one pool session and then something else such as gym work, running or rowing. My current swim mileage is around 18k a week and I swim with a club for about half of that yardage
will do whatever it takes to improve including swimming more mileage or twice a day or getting some one on one coaching
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated....
YOU ASKED: how I can make the transition from average club swimmer to competitive national age group swimmer?
first thanks to Lindsay for suggestiong my SFF Tips, they worked for me and many other swimmers. Try a few they should work for you too.
list is long so here are a few to focus on:
IF YOU WANT TO SWIM FASTER IN MEETS
SWIM FASTER IN PRACTICE
Do the Help My ____ is Horrible
improve your speed, your SDK & your flutter kicking speed
Tip 05 ACTING AS IF
REMEMBER
ANYTHING YOU DO AND MEASURE
IMPROVES
Tip 265 Train harder, smarter, faster, further, more often, with a coach, with a team, in a convenient facility & at a convenient Time
GET ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT RIGHT
Tip 56 The 90 Day Experiment
Wow this is a lot to look at - I will take some time to digest it over the coming days. Thanks for your suport guys - much appreciated...
