OK, I'm a Dinosaur. I actually like sets like 10x100 on the same interval all the way through.
Why do all of the sets have to have some kind of break in stride or change in interval or undefined purpose today? I have been swimming in Masters long enough to know that our bread is buttered by the fitness swimmers and their singular lack of desire to compete. But do the coaches believe that we are all ADD enough not to be able to complete one set on one interval ? Or do we as swimmers really pose such a dilemma that the coaches do the very worst thing possible - try to make every one happy. The ultimate result of that is to make virtually no one happy.
If you are giving a set to your swimmers, can you tell them what it (the set) should accomplish for them? What they should get out of it? If you simply gave the same set oveer and over again every day, it would become boring, of course. But it would also become a benchmark to which each swimmer could chart his or her progress. A desireable outcome by any standard, I would venture.
I fully realise that the Masters coach is handed a bewildering array of talent and motivation with his swimmers, but you, as a coach, do not have to confuse, bewilder or befuddle your swimmers with meaningless or useless sets. Keep them simple and straghtforward, with one defining mission per set. There is nothing surer to get me to go home as a (competitive) swimmer than a set with multiple intervals and distances, changing intensity and changing strokes. And don't deny that you give such sets. Many coaches thrive on designing sets that are like circuit training in the water. I would go on and on, but I have to get up early to find out what new torture my coach has in store. Take it away, folks.
Former Member
Originally posted by jkurlanski
Even you sprint guys could use a 1650 from time to time. :-) :eek: :eek: :eek:
16 (50's)? :)
I hate freestyle. Really. But it's always in my workouts even though I have to modify it to save my legs for backstroke. There are elements in freestyle that aid my technique in backstroke. Breaststroke is harsh on my back, but I work some of that in too.
My coach is in the water with me, not on deck giving me sets. Sets can be done on my own time. During coaching it's all about how to get me moving faster - getting me more streamlined - and helping me believe that my goals are possible.
I declined a coach's offer to have me join their masters sessions because paying someone to give me workouts seemed pointless. Everyone has individual physical and mental limitations that need to be taken into account.
George---
Easier said than done, as most Masters programs can't reserve all lanes of a public pool. From a coach's perspective, its really difficult to permit different people to do different workouts simultaneously, as it does create intra and sometimes interlane chaos. If you're that interested in doing your own thing, performing your practice during general lap swim time is probably better for coach, other swimmers and yourself v. trying a mass customized approach in limited space.
Well I did neglect to mention that after that mornings swim (saturday) I dragged my husband out of bed because I was ravenous for Ihop.. when I got there I thought I might actually get sick. It took me awhile to get over feeling exhausted and shakey and generally terrible.
so yes.. that was one of the hardest swims I've done, but it was good. (could've done without the sick feeling though. )
;)
yeah good point. I ate a banana and had some juice beforehand, but I guess it wasn't enough.
Next morning workout I do I will be sure to eat something more substantial,
thanks.
J
Originally posted by jswim
Well I did neglect to mention that after that mornings swim (saturday) I dragged my husband out of bed because I was ravenous for Ihop.. when I got there I thought I might actually get sick. It took me awhile to get over feeling exhausted and shakey and generally terrible.
Did you have any carbs before or during (ie a sports drink) the workout? When you wake up your carbohydrate stores are pretty much depleted.
Interesting topic.
I am relatively new to swimming with a coach and workouts, and have mostly encountered the extremely varied type workouts until recently. A couple of weeks ago our coach gave us a workout with tons of repeats.
20x50's
20 25s
10x100 etc...
and for the first time, I finally noticed a difference in my times. I actually got faster. we all did, on the 20 25s that were at the end of the workout. That was the first time I actually got to measure and see an improvement, and it felt like I had accomplished something other than just working out. I had time to do the same set over and over and each time concentrate on how it felt vs what my time was. I can't believe it made a difference and we were all surprised at our ability to improve times especially at the end of the workout.
I think I see the light on this type of workout and would like to do more of them. After you do it, you realize why it makes sense. (at least for me it did)
You burn a lot of sugar so something sweet afterwards helps get the blood sugar back up. Or so I've read and been told. Fruit juice seems to help me not feel so dizzy.
I sometimes keep a bottle of water that's spiked with orange juice. about 1/2 and 1/2 or so. Perhaps on those morning swims I will do the half juice thing as well to keep me from getting that shakey feeling..
I have a love/hate relationship with that feeling.. not much fun, but I it makes me feel good to know that I worked really hard that day.
;)
