Swimming training plans - stupid question time

[944fan]

I have started some swimming and cycling whilst my running injuries heal. I have a triathlon plan which I am following (except the running). Anyway the plan has things like this:

10 x 25m, alternating 25m fc, 25m breast+30secs rests
5 x 50m kick, alternating 25m Z2, 25m Z4+30secs rests

The pool is 25m so do I swim 1 length fc, rest for 30 secs, then swim back breaststroke rest 30 and repeat? Or swim 1 length fc + 1 length breast and then rest?

[Smitters]

944fan said:

I have started some swimming and cycling whilst my running injuries heal. I have a triathlon plan which I am following (except the running). Anyway the plan has things like this:

10 x 25m, alternating 25m fc, 25m breast+30secs rests
5 x 50m kick, alternating 25m Z2, 25m Z4+30secs rests

The pool is 25m so do I swim 1 length fc, rest for 30 secs, then swim back breaststroke rest 30 and repeat? Or swim 1 length fc + 1 length breast and then rest?

First line - swim 25m then rest 30s.

Second line - swim 50m then rest 30s, first length swim easy (Z2) then power for home (Z4)

Enjoy.

[944fan]

Thank you. Glad about the 1st line as my current seal-being-attacked-by-a-shark-style freestyle leaves me knackered after a length.

Got a PT session in an endless pool next week to sort that.

[Smitters]

Swimming is all about efficiency and technique, much more so that running or cycling, so focus on your drills and an instruction you get and you'll have no worries. Learning that efficiency, and also how to breath comfortably under water is key to upping the number of lengths you can do. If you're really new to it and properly serious about tri, get some lessons now. Hundreds of lengths with bad technique will only enforce bad technique and make it all the harder to improve later on. I speak from experience here!

If you want to get really in details about tri, check out TriTalk.co.uk. Nice bunch and hugely knowledgeable.

[944fan]

Thanks for the tips. I am hoping to get some instruction next week. The endless pool has video capture and they give a commentary on what you are doing wrong so hopefully that should help. I think the breathing thing is one of my biggest problems. I keep forgetting to exhale underwater so when I turn my head to breathe in I can't.

I get what you are saying about technique and efficiency. I was watching one chap in the lane next to me who was obviously a very good swimmer and it seemed effortless and the water was hardly moving around him. I come splashing through and looks like the wake from a speed boat.

[Smitters]

944fan said:

Thanks for the tips. I am hoping to get some instruction next week. The endless pool has video capture and they give a commentary on what you are doing wrong so hopefully that should help. I think the breathing thing is one of my biggest problems. I keep forgetting to exhale underwater so when I turn my head to breathe in I can't.

I get what you are saying about technique and efficiency. I was watching one chap in the lane next to me who was obviously a very good swimmer and it seemed effortless and the water was hardly moving around him. I come splashing through and looks like the wake from a speed boat.

Sounds like the way forward, the endless pool approach. Don't get me wrong - I'm no Micheal Phelps, I just know why I'm a crap swimmer. Put it this way, I'm way stronger than any 13 year old female club swimmer, but I know full well who'd win in a swimming race.

The breathing thing is a frustration, but once it clicks, it'll be so much easier. There are loads of different ways to suss it out - I'm sure the folks next week will have some suggestions, so I won't confuse things.

[grumbledoak]

Concentrate on arms, legs, and breathing individually to improve: perfection is paramount.

Breathing is just "Hold, Out, In" with each arm stroke. You'll quickly learn the timing. Or drown, of course.