Question: If I'm only swimming twice a week as part of my
training for a triathelon, should I take one of my training days and just
swim distance?
Answer:
I plan to do my first tri this summer, a sprint distance probably at San
Dimas. Anyway, running is my first sport, followed closely by swimming.
The bike is another issue entirely.
Currently, I'm swimming 2x a week with a masters team, which is great, but I
don't do much distance. If I'm only swimming twice a week as part of my
training for a triathelon, should I take one of my training days and just
swim distance? I don't know the last time I swam 1/2 mile straight through
although each workout I swim anywhere between 1700 and 2700 yrds depending
on the workout.
As a former high-school and university level swimmer, I'll tell you that
for distance swimming, one rarely actually swims the competition
distance as training. This is particularily true for the 800 m (1/2
mile) or 1500. You sound as though you are doing enough distance in
each workout so that you will be able to complete the swim portion of
the triathlon comfortably, though it might be a bit easier for you if
you include another swim workout per week. Swimming is largely
technique, something which tends to fade as one gets tired, so it's more
important to concentrate on maintaining good technique throughout your
workouts then swimming 800 m without stopping during training.
I've done many a race there. So you're probably
in the LA area somewhere.
To answer your question, at 1700-2700 yards twice a week, you won't have
any trouble with a half-mile triathlon swim. In fact, you'll be well
ahead of the main pack. And with running your strongest sport, you're
pretty well prepared. Fortunately, cycling is the easiest of the three
sports to do passably if you don't have a background in it.
One of the problems I've found with 2x week swimming is that my arms feel
like they're going to fall off in races over 300m. When I had time for doing
a 2.5km continuous swim weekly it improved my strength and confidence (+ fried
my brain).
That said, I don't think it's necessary to replace one of your squad swims
with a continuous one and I don't think you'll have any problem with the swim
if you don't try to keep up with some of the best swimmers on the ITU (hiss)
circuit (not that I'm overly competitive, just that it feels great to be
whacking a guy with a 16 min 1500m pb) . I am still improving despite limited
training (Unfortunately I lose fitness fast if I miss workouts) and I find the
2.7 - 3.4km our squad does very motivating and far more beneficial than just
swimming alone.
I thought about my question more during my workout last night. Because I
hadn't swam for a couple of weeks, I'd forgotten how I feel during and after
a workout.
Included in last night's workout were 5x150 on the 2:15. Because I don't
really push it, I only had around 10 seconds rest between sets. I felt
great after the sets though which is almost 1/2 mile (750yds = .43miles,
thank God for my Sidekick conversion tool). So now I think I'll just stick
with 2 masters workouts a week. I am becoming a stronger swimmer. I've
been swimming off and on all my life and it's a hard thing to really lose.
Now that the coaches are working with me on improving my stroke, I'm
swimming better than ever.
I'm very thankful for all the help with this question. Coming attractions
will be when I start training on the bike, that is, when I find one.
As a former swimmer in college, I can tell you that the person who mentioned
technique being the most important part to remember is correct, especially when
getting fatigued. It's important to remember to keep your stroke elongated and
smooth, even when you are tired. Also, open water swims every now and then
would be very beneficial as well. Distance swimming in the pool does not
compare to distance swimming in a lake or ocean. Your arms get much more
fatigued in open water (no walls to flip-turn and take momentary rests), and
would benefit you a great deal if you trained in open water now and then. The
workouts do not have to be as long in open water as they are in the pool.
Besides, you'll be much more tired anyway, and you'll not want to swim as long.
I can assure you that the distances you are training will get you
through the swim leg. Running is my first sport as well, followed
closely by nothing else.
I worked on exhaling under water; improved my crawl; learned breast, back, and side strokes. I swam
on my own here and there. I went to the the open water swim clinic in
mid-May and *freaked out*, although I did make it through the 400m
practice course. Then on Mem Day, I had finally worked up to a 35-minute
continuous swim in the pool. At the Danskin tri on June 6, I did fine
except when I drifted into the lines that connect the buoys! I posted a
23:00 swim, which is not at all stellar, but my goal was to finish in
30:00, so I am happy with it.
So you can see, when I say I'm a novice, it's all true. I'm pretty sure
you can do this as long as you get some open water practice in as well.
Since this is your first tri, just swim to finish and then use that
performance as your benchmark for future races.
