Solo Swimmers

Elaine, I train by myself most of the time, because I don't like the Masters workouts. While I wholeheartedly agree with counting strokes on every lap, I do some things a little opposite what people here might suggest. Primarily, I don't vary my workouts that much. I have a limited number of sets that I go through regularly. While doing this, I keep track of my times, check my heart rate often and generally note how I feel. These things keep my mind active during the workout and also give me constant updates on my progress. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it seems to be working for me. :welcome: Thanks for the tips, Ron! I also check my heart rate regularly and feel it's great feedback in determining if I am over-training or not. If my heart rate becomes elevated beyond the norm, I ease up the next day-- especially if I feel wiped out after my swim. I, too, have some workouts I repeat regularly; however, I often have to revise on the fly (no pun intended!) if a body part starts acting up. :bitching: hey elaine... i do know donna and a few others that swim with GAJA and have directed a few folks in there direction but i still swim with my team out of Niagara LSMC the BUMS ... but thanks for the offer Ohhh, ok. :sad: I'll let you off the hook. ;) Say hello to Donna for me! Hi Elaine! I swim on a masters team, but my work schedule doesn't allow me to swim with them all of the time. I would estimate that I swim solo 50% of the time. I swim 4 times per week total. For me, this is a great way to swim because I have unique challenges based on whether I'm on my own or swimming with my team. Swimming with the team forces me to stay with intervals set for me, not by me, & pushes me through nasty sets that I probably wouldn't make myself go thru on my own. There is the incentive to keep up with (or lead) my lane mates & swim faster just because I'm so competitive. I really push myself when I'm swimming with a group. When solo, I drop it down a notch, paying more attention to technique, and doing a lot of kicking, pulling & drills. I make sure I get plenty of rest unless I'm doing an interval set of some sort. I also tailor my workouts towards upcoming events. For instance, I have a sprint pentathlon coming up, so I'm doing lots of stroke-work, drilling, & of course 50s. I wouldn't be able to do this sort of workout with my group & that would be very frustrating for me.... Yes I agree to swim on your own requires an easily-accessible pool where you can swim like a swimmer & not have to navigate thru noodlers & lap swimmers. I finally found a pool that works well for me in this regard; at most I'm splitting the lane with one other person. You have a sprint pentathlon coming up? It wouldn't just happen to be the one at the Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center in Georgia would it? If so, I'll see you there; I'm doing the Ironman! :banana: Meanwhile, you bring up some great points about the differences between swimming with a team or alone. It's great that you have both options and can mix it up! :agree:

Elaine, I train by myself most of the time, because I don't like the Masters workouts. While I wholeheartedly agree with counting strokes on every lap, I do some things a little opposite what people here might suggest. Primarily, I don't vary my workouts that much. I have a limited number of sets that I go through regularly. While doing this, I keep track of my times, check my heart rate often and generally note how I feel. These things keep my mind active during the workout and also give me constant updates on my progress. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it seems to be working for me. :welcome: Thanks for the tips, Ron! I also check my heart rate regularly and feel it's great feedback in determining if I am over-training or not. If my heart rate becomes elevated beyond the norm, I ease up the next day-- especially if I feel wiped out after my swim. I, too, have some workouts I repeat regularly; however, I often have to revise on the fly (no pun intended!) if a body part starts acting up. :bitching: hey elaine... i do know donna and a few others that swim with GAJA and have directed a few folks in there direction but i still swim with my team out of Niagara LSMC the BUMS ... but thanks for the offer Ohhh, ok. :sad: I'll let you off the hook. ;) Say hello to Donna for me! Hi Elaine! I swim on a masters team, but my work schedule doesn't allow me to swim with them all of the time. I would estimate that I swim solo 50% of the time. I swim 4 times per week total. For me, this is a great way to swim because I have unique challenges based on whether I'm on my own or swimming with my team. Swimming with the team forces me to stay with intervals set for me, not by me, & pushes me through nasty sets that I probably wouldn't make myself go thru on my own. There is the incentive to keep up with (or lead) my lane mates & swim faster just because I'm so competitive. I really push myself when I'm swimming with a group. When solo, I drop it down a notch, paying more attention to technique, and doing a lot of kicking, pulling & drills. I make sure I get plenty of rest unless I'm doing an interval set of some sort. I also tailor my workouts towards upcoming events. For instance, I have a sprint pentathlon coming up, so I'm doing lots of stroke-work, drilling, & of course 50s. I wouldn't be able to do this sort of workout with my group & that would be very frustrating for me.... Yes I agree to swim on your own requires an easily-accessible pool where you can swim like a swimmer & not have to navigate thru noodlers & lap swimmers. I finally found a pool that works well for me in this regard; at most I'm splitting the lane with one other person. You have a sprint pentathlon coming up? It wouldn't just happen to be the one at the Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center in Georgia would it? If so, I'll see you there; I'm doing the Ironman! :banana: Meanwhile, you bring up some great points about the differences between swimming with a team or alone. It's great that you have both options and can mix it up! :agree: