Its 6am in Texas, air temp 80F water even warmer.....
What is the best way to train for a 200 free under these conditions?
Yesterday I intended to swim 6 x 200m on 3.15 to check how my endurance was, but the heat took over so I tucked some backstroke recovery in there to cool off.
For tomorrow I was planning some broken 200s, but now doubt I'll manage 4 or 5 in a row, should I just do the same and slot in some backstroke recovery? Perhaps lose the cap and take an extra drink? Any ideas?
And before anyone suggests I swim the 50 free instead, I will be swimming that too this week. I would much rather be doing a 400m though.
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Former Member
I think its just something your body needs to get accustomed to. The pool I swim in year round is 85F with an air temp around the same, if not higher. While you do tend to get hot during some sets, doing a 2000y set yesterday was tough, but not impossible.
(400 on 5:20
2 x 300, 4:00, 3:50
3 x 200, 2:40, 2:35, 2:30
4 x 100, 1:20, 1:15, 1:10, 1:05)
holding 1:08- pace throughout the whole set.
my training partners do drink water when the swim, I never picked up that habit so they call me "the camel" :)
I think SOME adaptation can occur. If it didn't why would any of our swimming skills improve through training?
However I think the adaptation is modest at best. I swim outdoors in Texas too. The air temp has been about 75 deg F at 6:30 a.m. and the pool temp has quickly risen to 85 deg F over the last week.
I believe the physiological explanation is that at warmer temps, the body is forced to increase blood flow near the skin to improve cooling. In cooler water, more blood is available in the muscles to supply oxygen, and the heart doesn't have to work as hard. This effect is visible through reddening of the skin including the face.
I notice the difference almost immediately. Training in 85 deg water is significantly more difficult than at 80 deg.
I deal with it mostly by accepting that my training speeds will be slower. I will tire more quickly. And I see that my heart rate elevates more quickly and doesn't drop as quickly during rest. And it makes me appreciate when I get cooler water - usually at a race in an indoor pool.
I think its just something your body needs to get accustomed to. The pool I swim in year round is 85F with an air temp around the same, if not higher. While you do tend to get hot during some sets, doing a 2000y set yesterday was tough, but not impossible.
(400 on 5:20
2 x 300, 4:00, 3:50
3 x 200, 2:40, 2:35, 2:30
4 x 100, 1:20, 1:15, 1:10, 1:05)
holding 1:08- pace throughout the whole set.
my training partners do drink water when the swim, I never picked up that habit so they call me "the camel" :)
I think SOME adaptation can occur. If it didn't why would any of our swimming skills improve through training?
However I think the adaptation is modest at best. I swim outdoors in Texas too. The air temp has been about 75 deg F at 6:30 a.m. and the pool temp has quickly risen to 85 deg F over the last week.
I believe the physiological explanation is that at warmer temps, the body is forced to increase blood flow near the skin to improve cooling. In cooler water, more blood is available in the muscles to supply oxygen, and the heart doesn't have to work as hard. This effect is visible through reddening of the skin including the face.
I notice the difference almost immediately. Training in 85 deg water is significantly more difficult than at 80 deg.
I deal with it mostly by accepting that my training speeds will be slower. I will tire more quickly. And I see that my heart rate elevates more quickly and doesn't drop as quickly during rest. And it makes me appreciate when I get cooler water - usually at a race in an indoor pool.
