So I'm nearing the end of my second season of open water swimming, and regardless of whether I ever get better or not, I'm hooked. I love the scenery, I love the challenge, and I love the feeling of being able to move freely in large bodies of water.
But. . . I would also like to get better. My race times haven't shown significant improvement. Where conditions are calm with little current, my 100 pace was at 1:28 for the first race I swam last year and 1:28 for the most recent such race I swam this year. I'm guessing my swim workouts need a change up to make progress here.
Initially my goal was getting over the mental barrier of swimming longer distances so my workouts (4-6 times per week) have been full of yardage, but little in the way of drilling or intervals.
Typical workouts include about 8 500's with an easy 50 in between each or sometimes I do a pyramid by 100 up to 500 and then back down with a kick set or pull set afterwards. At least twice a week, I do a long non-stop swim of 4K or so. Clearly, I haven't put much rhyme or reason into yet. What's worked for the folks who have improved in their 100 pace on long swims? I would love to get mine under 1:20.
Parents
Former Member
Thanks! I should really do that. Have been stagnant for a while now.
