I started swimming 2 years ago as part of doing triathlon (please, no one beat me up). Up to this point while I've taken swimming somewhat serious I've certainly let biking and running be my focus while just trying to be an "okay" swimmer. Currently, I swim 10@100 at around 1:25 ish (I don't leave at 1:25 by my actual swim time is 1:25 per 100) with a god-awful flip turn. My volume starting this season is roughly 8 - 10k/week.
I really want to start putting more emphasis on swimming and becoming a better swimmer. I enjoy swimming and think there is a lot ahead of me. I met with a good swimmer and he is starting to point me in the right direction. The first thing we are doing is just upping my volume. I'm going to start putting in 12 - 15k each week.
My question for the good swimmers is: are there volume levels where you noticed improvement in your swimming. I mean, for example, when you starting putting in X yards per week consistently you noticed an improvement in swimming. I know this is probably different for everyone but I just wanted to get a general feel...
I know I can translate this into running - when I hit 50 miles a week I can feel the difference in my running. And from there it is usually in 10's for me. 60 miles a week and 70 miles a week.
Thanks.
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How much of this kind of workout improvement can translate to improvement in sprint races?
Over the past year I have brought my intervals down considerably and as such my times in 200+ yards are much better. Yet my 50s and 100s have only improved by tenths. I would like to be able to bring those times down just by ramping things up and working harder (going from 3x a week of 2000 yards) to 4x a week of more yardage. And I am talking more everything including sprint training.
Herb, the theory is the same, but the sets would be different.
You would focus on 12.5s, 25s, 50s ... up to 200s, with more focus on the lower end.
Short rest helps longer events, so you want to work with generous intervals on the shorter stuff and really hammer out some max speed work.
The goal isn't really to drop your training interval but your times. You can stick with 1:20s all season, but you may start the season holding 1:15s and finish the season holding 1:05s. As a sprinter, dropping down to 1:15 intervals and only holding 1:09s will be less beneficial than 1:20s holding 1:05s.
Again, the 100s are just an example, you really want to focus on shorter stuff.
How much of this kind of workout improvement can translate to improvement in sprint races?
Over the past year I have brought my intervals down considerably and as such my times in 200+ yards are much better. Yet my 50s and 100s have only improved by tenths. I would like to be able to bring those times down just by ramping things up and working harder (going from 3x a week of 2000 yards) to 4x a week of more yardage. And I am talking more everything including sprint training.
Herb, the theory is the same, but the sets would be different.
You would focus on 12.5s, 25s, 50s ... up to 200s, with more focus on the lower end.
Short rest helps longer events, so you want to work with generous intervals on the shorter stuff and really hammer out some max speed work.
The goal isn't really to drop your training interval but your times. You can stick with 1:20s all season, but you may start the season holding 1:15s and finish the season holding 1:05s. As a sprinter, dropping down to 1:15 intervals and only holding 1:09s will be less beneficial than 1:20s holding 1:05s.
Again, the 100s are just an example, you really want to focus on shorter stuff.
