Hi, I just joined USMS last month. I swim for fitness, and I have been doing this for a long time. I am working on lowering my time in the 500 free because I would like to swim in meets someday. I train on my own almost exclusively, except for an occasional workout with a masters team. I have 2-3 hours a week to practice except during the summer months when I have a lot more time to train due to having summers off from my job as a teacher. My current time in the 500 free is 8:40. My goals are to bring this time down to under 8 minutes by the end of the year and to under 7 minutes by the end of next year. I am 6'1" and weigh 193 lbs. Any suggestions that will help me reach my goals are appreciated!
Swam at the Y a couple days ago. Calvin, I used your suggestion of a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio, but I messed up on the amount of rest. I swam 6x500 on 1:40 but I only rested 1 minute between 100s. I was way ahead of the timer—by about 10 seconds—on each length of the first two 100s! Will try it again tomorrow with 1:40 rest between 100s.
Swam at the Y a couple days ago. Calvin, I used your suggestion of a 1:1 work-to-rest ratio, but I messed up on the amount of rest. I swam 6x500 on 1:40 but I only rested 1 minute between 100s. I was way ahead of the timer—by about 10 seconds—on each length of the first two 100s! Will try it again tomorrow with 1:40 rest between 100s.
