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.
We train in exceptionally hot water here in the summertime in Scottsdale and it definitely makes the workout harder. However, provided you get the opportunity to race in cooler water, I view training in warmer water as a positive as you'll feel near infinitely better when you down-temp from 85+ to 78+ degree water. It's kind of akin to training in a crappy pool and racing in a great pool. Definitely load up on the water and electrolytes, but try to focus on the advantage the warm water brings down the road.
Having said that, maybe I'm just rationalizing my situation because the warm water pool I train at is only 1 mile from my house and I'm too lazy or time-strapped to drive 20 to 30 minutes to one of the better, cool-water pools/teams that are here.
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Having said that, maybe I'm just rationalizing my situation because the warm water pool I train at is only 1 mile from my house and I'm too lazy or time-strapped to drive 20 to 30 minutes to one of the better, cool-water pools/teams that are here.
:rofl: This is pretty much my situation to a tee!
Definately lose the cap, if you can, add water to your end-of-pool retinue, and keep using cool downs between your fast sets. That said, if you are stuck in this situation over the long haul, you will have to adjust, like us hot-pool swimmers have had to.
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 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'm swimming in our HOA pool which is a great 25m 6 lane pool 5 mins from home but only open June-Aug for morning "lap swim". So lots of rest and ditching the cap when it gets too hot again!
Could you get the HOA to get an aerator. A single aerator can bring the temperature down 3 - 5 degrees. At the Y where I swim, it looks like they made a couple of aerators out of pvc and a pool pump. It would make the water more enjoyable for the leisure swimmers also.
Having said that, maybe I'm just rationalizing my situation because the warm water pool I train at is only 1 mile from my house and I'm too lazy or time-strapped to drive 20 to 30 minutes to one of the better, cool-water pools/teams that are here.
Umm yep - thats me too! I'm swimming in our HOA pool which is a great 25m 6 lane pool 5 mins from home but only open June-Aug for morning "lap swim". Come September if I want to carry on the swimming, I'll be back in an indoor pool and need to decide which gym to join 20 min or so away, but that's another subject entirely!
Thanks for the advice...panic is over a little due to the large quantity of rain we had this morning and I'm planning a morning off tomorrow due to: a) threatened thunderstorms
b) severely pissed off and tired husband :bolt:
So lots of rest and ditching the cap when it gets too hot again!
Could you get the HOA to get an aerator. A single aerator can bring the temperature down 3 - 5 degrees. At the Y where I swim, it looks like they made a couple of aerators out of pvc and a pool pump. It would make the water more enjoyable for the leisure swimmers also.
Good idea - I'll suggest it :)
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.
Swimming repeat 200s on short rest in a hot pool is a big challenge. You can try bringing a cycling-type water bottle with you to practice to spray cool water on your head and face between swims. The broken 200s are also a good idea. Take a 5-7s rest at the 50s, enough for a couple of breaths and a splash of cool water in the hair.
