I am a long-time OW swimmer. I do most of my training in a 25 yd pool with once weekly OW swims (mostly spring, summer and fall). I'm gradually getting away from wetsuits. I would like to enter 5K & 10K swims this coming season and want to train accordingly. Mostly, I just do straight laps (typically 1.5 miles/4-5 times per week); there is no interval training. I'm fairly competitive for my age but I just feel that I'm stuck in my workout routine. I need to be convinced that introducing some high intensity interval training - if that's what is called for - will get me to the next level. Any thoughts and experience? Any authoritative reading? I really want my workouts to count!
Thank you for your reply Todd. Just so I understand, I should swim intervals only working up gradually to more interval length, and each stage and interval to be sustainable at the same pace. My workouts should eventually equal my workout lengths (plus some to make the race seem shorter). This seems to make sense to me if that is what you are saying. I believe my stroke technique is very good and I'm constantly working on keeping good form. Also, I'm solid in the flip turn department. Bilateral breathing is very difficult for me and I'm afraid that I'm stuck in my ways after 60 years of breathing on one side only. Any thoughts on how many workouts per week? Thank you again.
Thank you for your reply Todd. Just so I understand, I should swim intervals only working up gradually to more interval length, and each stage and interval to be sustainable at the same pace. My workouts should eventually equal my workout lengths (plus some to make the race seem shorter). This seems to make sense to me if that is what you are saying. I believe my stroke technique is very good and I'm constantly working on keeping good form. Also, I'm solid in the flip turn department. Bilateral breathing is very difficult for me and I'm afraid that I'm stuck in my ways after 60 years of breathing on one side only. Any thoughts on how many workouts per week? Thank you again.
