When you trian for a logn distance swim, how far do you go in your longest training swims? How do you find the balance between risk of injury and not going far enouhg?
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Former Member
When I started this thread I was in the midst of training for the Catalina Channel, the Tour of Boouys and the ADA 10 mile relay (solo) in La Jolla.
After completing the season, I found that training volume was as important as distance. Long swims were important, most important in colder water but I felt the overall mileage played a big part. I would say not increasing over 10% in distance but also getting in 100+ mile months for these distances.
As for pool vs. ocean here I was watching others too. I probably completed 30% of my training in the pool, mostly speed work, I wish I had done more speed work and a little less slow ocean swimming. It appears to me that up to 50/50 worked well in fact for those with a lot of ocean experience even 90/10 worked if the race was warm. If it was cold, then weekly ocean time was essential (I suppose you could substitute a very cold pool).
So I hope my observations help. I also know that it varies a lot by the individual.
When I started this thread I was in the midst of training for the Catalina Channel, the Tour of Boouys and the ADA 10 mile relay (solo) in La Jolla.
After completing the season, I found that training volume was as important as distance. Long swims were important, most important in colder water but I felt the overall mileage played a big part. I would say not increasing over 10% in distance but also getting in 100+ mile months for these distances.
As for pool vs. ocean here I was watching others too. I probably completed 30% of my training in the pool, mostly speed work, I wish I had done more speed work and a little less slow ocean swimming. It appears to me that up to 50/50 worked well in fact for those with a lot of ocean experience even 90/10 worked if the race was warm. If it was cold, then weekly ocean time was essential (I suppose you could substitute a very cold pool).
So I hope my observations help. I also know that it varies a lot by the individual.
