Apologies if this seems to be a really strange topic. :)
So, as I continue to do flip-turn drills, with a goal of doing flip-turns at my next meet (several months from now), something occurred to me:
How do you know your split-times in a particular swim when doing flip-turns?
Does it matter? (It matters to me, but am I a silly OCD/Newbie/ex-runner?)
If there is a clock on the side of the pool then you can check your splits on the way in to or out of your turns. If not, you can invest in an underwater pace clock, like Pace Pal.
***looks up firebelly***
Sorry, I was going to add more to my initial post but I had to suddenly run off.
At Olympics, etc, do the world's best have an awareness of splits? Are underwater clocks available for them?
As a somewhat competitive runner, this was crucial to me. And now as a Newbie swimmer who can glance at the clock during open turns, I have the luxury of knowing/adjusting my pace.
But yes, I now understand that we can glance just before/after flipping.
At Olympics, etc, do the world's best have an awareness of splits? Are underwater clocks available for them?
No, and in fact it's against the rules:
"SW 10.16 No pace-making shall be permitted, nor may any device be used or plan adopted which
has that effect." (this is from the FINA swimming rules www.fina.org/.../2017_2021_swimming_16032018.pdf)
Not in the moment ... wasting your time/energy looking is only going to mess with your form (which is a huge determinant of speed). After the fact, knowing your splits is kind of mildly interesting, but in an out-of-body kind of way since you can't do anything about it then.
I have found that runners have a harder time adapting to the zen of swimming ... go with the flow and the feeling, live in the aquatic moment ... and, please leave those stupid watches on the deck ... they just mess with your balance in the water anyways ...
Interesting.
At my first meet I swam "blind" - ie I couldn't find a clock to check. Afterwards my splits were PAINFUL to look at. I started way too fast and died. If I had known at the time what my very silly first 50m was, I'm sure that I would have adjusted accordingly (it wasn't too late then) and had a better result.
But, this was my first meet and I agree with you about form/zen etc. I can learn this.
Also....it's illegal!!? (Knelson's post). Are we talking about clocks on the wall, or "pacemaking" here?
Does it matter?
Not in the moment ... wasting your time/energy looking is only going to mess with your form (which is a huge determinant of speed). After the fact, knowing your splits is kind of mildly interesting, but in an out-of-body kind of way since you can't do anything about it then.
I have found that runners have a harder time adapting to the zen of swimming ... go with the flow and the feeling, live in the aquatic moment ... and, please leave those stupid watches on the deck ... they just mess with your balance in the water anyways ...
Also....it's illegal!!? (Knelson's post). Are we talking about clocks on the wall, or "pacemaking" here?
If you are wearing a watch and dive in, and a referee or official sees it, you will be disqualified. Even if the watch is off, or you could somehow prove you weren't pacing with it. As for pace clocks, they are SUPPOSED to be turned off for meets, but a few weeks ago I was racing the 1500 at a USA-S meet and the officials forgot to turn the clock off. I don't see it as my job to remind them of that, and I just so happen to breathe to my right side, which faced the clock, so coming in at each 100 I could see the clock and easily figure out my splits. I checked it every 400 meters (skipping the first 100 meters because I did not see what the clock said when the horn sounded to start the race!).
It was very helpful, but again, my conscience is clear here because I was going to be able to see the clock anyways. Should have been turned off. I have NEVER been at a big USA-S or USMS meet where pace clocks are on. They are a bit more on top of that sort of thing!
Not in the moment ... wasting your time/energy looking is only going to mess with your form (which is a huge determinant of speed). After the fact, knowing your splits is kind of mildly interesting, but in an out-of-body kind of way since you can't do anything about it then.
I have found that runners have a harder time adapting to the zen of swimming ... go with the flow and the feeling, live in the aquatic moment ... and, please leave those stupid watches on the deck ... they just mess with your balance in the water anyways ...
It is true! When I was running, I wore a Garmin device and would check my pace periodically, depending on the distance/workout I was doing. When I forgot to charge or something was wrong with it, I felt blind running without it. Pretty much the same with cycling; some cyclists have rather sophisticated computers mounted on their bikes that could easily run $700+ (I just wore the same device I wore for running).
I started swimming with an Apple watch a few years ago. I'm now used to wearing it and I feel off-balance when I don't.
Before my first event at USMS nationals a few weeks ago, I asked a referee if I could wear it and was told yes, so I did. We kind of joked how it would take longer to look at my watch -v- just checking the clock. I wear it more for analysis after the swims.
When I'm doing a workout, I'll look at my watch periodically. My primary pool doesn't have a working pace clock, so I use my watch for that (even when the clock is working, I can only see it from one side, so if I'm doing 25s the watch is easier).
For something like open water swims, I might check my watch when I'm doing feeds.
If you are wearing a watch and dive in, and a referee or official sees it, you will be disqualified.
I think they changed the rule on watches, at least with USMS. At nationals a few weeks ago, I specifically asked about it, and was told it was fine. They had huge clocks up that gave splits and were far easier to see than my watch anyway. As far as I can recall, at every meet I've swum in, there have been clocks going that you could possibly see while swimming (I do remember seeing it at Texas A&M for our zone LCM meet 2 years ago).
I wore my Apple Watch and no one said a word. I just discreetly started it as I climbed up on the blocks and ended the workout just before I climbed out of the water.
