Question:I have a pool available that is a very small pool - at the most it is
12 yards across. I am wondering if this is adequate for training size
for training for a 1/2 mile open water swim?
Answer:
I have a pool available that is a very small pool - at the most it is
12 yards across. I am wondering if this is adequate for training size
for training for a 1/2 mile open water swim?
The 12 yard pool is a pool/exercise center that I could join for
$60/month. Or... I could do a public pool that is 25 meters and pay
each time $2.00 - and I would go twice per week ( so $16/month ) The
club is a bit closer though and does offer some other facility
benefits ( I can swim anytime, excercise bikes, body exercise classes
etc.). I just do not know how much the pool size should affect my
decision. ( I could do a blend of both pools?).
My thoughts.... It seems to me that that a 12 yard pool is a very
small pool. Most training programs refer to pools that are at least 25
yards. I would think I would need to adjust plans somehow because I am
pushing off the wall and turning a lot more times? This is all new to
me because I have never swam before for exercise.
My background: I just started training for a triathlon ( 1/2 mile
swim, 14 mi bike ride, 3 mile run), the triathlon is in mid-August, I
have a running background ( generally run 3 miles every other day), my
goal is to just be able to finish the triathlon, right now I can only
swim about 30 yards at a time ( with 1 minute rest in between) for 30
minutes.
So any advice out there..... can I keep with the small pool, or is it
a really bad idea, or can the small pool work with some modification
to standard training plans, etc!
If your goal is to swim the ½ mile with minimal impact on your
endurance and strength, I would opt for the public 25m pool to do your
training. Also, why limit your training to just two swim sessions per
week? If your schedule permits, you might want to increase both your
swim training time and yardage as you improve. Just a thought. :-)
I would definitely go for the bigger pool. I am also currently training
for a triathlon and my regular gym has a pool about the same size as
yours, 40ft long. I joined a masters team that swims at a Y about 45
minutes from me with a 25 yd pool. In 2 weeks I have already found that
the bigger pool makes a difference. $60/month is a lot if it is not
going to give you what you really need.
I think you'd be better off in the larger pool, too, but the best thing you
could do would be to have a knowledgeable person observe your stroke.
Swimming is much more technical than running or cycling ..... just about
anybody can pound along in a jog or pump a bicycle, but if you don't have
the basics of a swim stroke, you're not going anywhere!
You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars for a coach or a camp (although
it would do you more good than a new wheelset). Ask around the pool or
check out the schedule for the swim team(s) that use this pool. Most
coaches don't mind giving out a little free advice, and they only need to
see you do a couple of strokes to see your weakest fault.
You're also more likely to find other open water swimmers practicing in the
bigger pool, too. Have one of them teach you how to get your bearings in
open water, and what mods need to be made to a pool stroke for use in open
water.
