Fortress' impressive three world record performance over the weekend made me think of this topic. Obviously the things she's doing are working well for the events she likes to swim. She concentrates on SDKs, fast swimming with lots of rest and drylands to aid in explosiveness. Long aerobic sets just aren't a part of her training regime, from what I've seen.
Almost every organized training group I've swum with, on the other hand, focuses on long aerobic sets, short rest, not a whole lot of fast stuff, etc. Basically the polar opposite of how Fortress trains. In my opinion this probably works pretty well for those who swim longer events, but really does very little for sprinters. The sprint events are almost always the most popular events at meets, so why do people choose to train aerobically? I think there are a number of factors at play. There's the much maligned triathletes. There's those who don't compete and "just want to get their yardage in." There's a historical precedent of lots of yardage being the way to go.
So what do you all think? How does you or your team train? I know lots of regular bloggers here DO train differently than my perception of the norm. Examples include Ande, Chris S. and Speedo. Are too many masters teams stuck in a training regime that is not at all what many of their swimmers need to get faster?
I did that two days ago for the first time ever, I kinda felt guilty but I just couldn't stay in any longer.
I never felt guilty. I just felt like it was my cue they didn't want sprinters at practice any longer so I'd hit the showers :)
On a few occasions though, I instead went and worked on turns in the diving well for a half hour, then waved at all the people doing their 400's and then hit the showers.
Sets like 8 X 400 and, especially, 10 X 300 double descend long course, aka "world's greatest set," are the reasons I stay motivated. When those sets go on the board I know we are about to laissez le bon temps rouler. The river of tears and chorus of boos from the weak minded sprinters makes it even better.
But, I agree, pointless for 50-100-200.
You know, I actually enjoy swimming distance in a long course pool, but in my 25yd home pool I hate it. I prefer to save my distance training for the lake and work on strokes, sprinting, and technique in the pool.
Those sets look like they would be fun though, on the right day. Reminds me of my time at the Fleet Rec. What does "double descend" mean?
At meets aren't 50s and 100s the most popular?
they should limit entries on the 50s like they do the 1650!!!
.... but seriously; how many swimmers use 50's as filler material at swim meets? (i've even done it myself, as anyone who has ever seen me swim a 50 will confirm)
And the way some people split their races that is a skill that needs to be taught.
If someone other than geekster wants to educate me on how 10x300s double descend will teach a sprinter (up to 200s), stroke or IMer to swim faster, I am all ears... or eyeballs in this case.
The last time I had this argument with Geek, the cost of chicken in Thailand came up, but the issue remained unresolved.
For the elites, a 200 is a sprint, but for most of us masters, it's a middle distance mix of speed and endurance. A set like this will, in my opinion, work on the endurance aspect of the race and give you some mental toughness.
The double descending aspect will help you learn pacing strategies, which I think is really important in anything over a 100 (and for many of us, even the 100 itself. Ask Leslie about her WR 100 back--it was NOT an all out sprint. She worked the SDKS and turns really hard, but tried to stay smooth on the actual arms-being-used parts of the race.)
Sets of 50s or even 25s with lots of rest will help you with the speed you'll need for a good 200, but you can't avoid the endurance aspect. I think of all the benefits of this kind of set, the mental toughness/self confidence aspect is probably the most important.
What are "ling" sets?
Hey, I couldn't see to type this morning. Darn cold!
they should limit entries on the 50s like they do the 1650!!!
.... but seriously; how many swimmers use 50's as filler material at swim meets? (i've even done it myself, as anyone who has ever seen me swim a 50 will confirm)
I do. I can go from the 1000 free to the 50 back at any meet.
You descend 1-5 and 6-10. In addition, 6 is faster than 1, 7 is faster than 2, on down the line. It's what Q refers to as teaching yourself to swim slowly, but that's a point of some debate.
And the way some people split their races that is a skill that needs to be taught.
If someone other than geekster wants to educate me on how 10x300s double descend will teach a sprinter (up to 200s), stroke or IMer to swim faster, I am all ears... or eyeballs in this case.
The last time I had this argument with Geek, the cost of chicken in Thailand came up, but the issue remained unresolved.
