The Swimming Thread - Pool/OW
Discussion
Scabutz said:
welshjon81 said:
Hi all, thought I'd join in. I'm a complete novice so just looking for some general tips. Only started about a month before Xmas but an ankle injury has set me back this last fortnight. Looking to get back in the pool this week though.
I am swimming 2k in the 55 minute session in the pool but I struggle to get any quicker than this. How can i get better? Is it just practice?
At the slower end, swimming is all about technique. You could plug away for months and might improve a little but not much. Find someone who can analyse your stroke and give you pointers to improve on it. That doesnt have to be expensive or take ages, Ive had a handful of sessions on gone from non swimmer to pretty decent.I am swimming 2k in the 55 minute session in the pool but I struggle to get any quicker than this. How can i get better? Is it just practice?
If that's not an option then look at some Youtube videos. What's probably most likely to be wrong is your body position. If your head is too high, your legs will sink and that creates massive drag. I'm assuming you are swimming crawl. When you breathe keep your head low, you want a split screen with one google in the water, one out. When you face is in the water, dont look straight down, or try and look straight ahead, look at a sport a meter or so in front of you.
If you have very sinky legs and your head position is ok then work on your kick. I see people in the pool there legs are all over the place, its like opening a parachute behind you. Kick doesnt have to be really hard or strong, just efficient.
Once you have the basic position sorted then you can look at your stroke, and see if there are ways of improving your stroke length, or turn over, catch etc.
Also on the training side, do you get in and swim 2k straight? Swimmers when they are training dont do that. Your stroke will get worse and worse as you tire out. Mix it up. Do 100m intervals with a short break.
Recently got back into the pool after the fat end of a decade and find myself cramping up quite a bit. Usually after around 20-30 lengths (25m pool), and normally either in the lower calf or sole of the foot. Any ideas on how to prevent this?
For background up to my early 20s (I’m coming up 56 next month) I was a county standard swimmer and after a break of about 20 years went back into the pool for a couple of years before lapsing again. Second time round I could comfortably manage 100 lengths in around 50 minutes, but at the moment am content with 80 in about 45. I usually do 2x100 FS, 1x100 BS, 2x100 FS then repeat. I find it easier to keep count that way rather than simply plodding up and down until time’s up.
Would appreciate any pointers
For background up to my early 20s (I’m coming up 56 next month) I was a county standard swimmer and after a break of about 20 years went back into the pool for a couple of years before lapsing again. Second time round I could comfortably manage 100 lengths in around 50 minutes, but at the moment am content with 80 in about 45. I usually do 2x100 FS, 1x100 BS, 2x100 FS then repeat. I find it easier to keep count that way rather than simply plodding up and down until time’s up.
Would appreciate any pointers
Antony Moxey said:
Would appreciate any pointers
I guess a lot depends on what you enjoy or would find motivating. Is there anything you'd like to aim to do? E.g., open water races tend to be longer than, say, Masters races in the pool. If you want to do a marathon (10km) swim, training for 50m sprints – obviously – mightn't be what you want. And visa versa.Do you know what you enjoy most, or would you like a fresh challenge?
Salted_Peanut said:
Antony Moxey said:
Would appreciate any pointers
I guess a lot depends on what you enjoy or would find motivating. Is there anything you'd like to aim to do? E.g., open water races tend to be longer than, say, Masters races in the pool. If you want to do a marathon (10km) swim, training for 50m sprints – obviously – mightn't be what you want. And visa versa.Do you know what you enjoy most, or would you like a fresh challenge?
Antony Moxey said:
Recently got back into the pool after the fat end of a decade and find myself cramping up quite a bit. Usually after around 20-30 lengths (25m pool), and normally either in the lower calf or sole of the foot. Any ideas on how to prevent this?)
Do you drink anything during the session?If yes, and you drink water, try either nothing or sports drink.
If no, try drinking a little after each set.
When I was a runner I found that nothing / sports drink avoided cramp.
Tried to take this approach when I switched back to swimming and got cramp (typically calf). Started sipping water between sets and tend not to cramp anymore. It may also be down to improving fitness.
onedsla said:
Antony Moxey said:
Recently got back into the pool after the fat end of a decade and find myself cramping up quite a bit. Usually after around 20-30 lengths (25m pool), and normally either in the lower calf or sole of the foot. Any ideas on how to prevent this?)
Do you drink anything during the session?If yes, and you drink water, try either nothing or sports drink.
If no, try drinking a little after each set.
When I was a runner I found that nothing / sports drink avoided cramp.
Tried to take this approach when I switched back to swimming and got cramp (typically calf). Started sipping water between sets and tend not to cramp anymore. It may also be down to improving fitness.
As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Antony Moxey said:
As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Just got one and it only seems to update lengths periodically. My main purpose of the watch is having it count for me!Is this to do with the interval settings or just a bug?
R Mutt said:
Antony Moxey said:
As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Just got one and it only seems to update lengths periodically. My main purpose of the watch is having it count for me!Is this to do with the interval settings or just a bug?
Scabutz said:
R Mutt said:
Antony Moxey said:
As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Just got one and it only seems to update lengths periodically. My main purpose of the watch is having it count for me!Is this to do with the interval settings or just a bug?
I'm not sure it is related to pushes though, as I stopped to check it was working as it wasn't displaying any lengths, at which point it suddenly went to 4.
Apparently a bug
https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-m...
I've change the data field in my main pool swim view to show interval lengths rather than lengths although I may add distance too
EDIT: Didn't realises you still had to press the Lap button to start a new interval even after you've started your swim and the clock has started. Surely that's already your first interval!
https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-m...
I've change the data field in my main pool swim view to show interval lengths rather than lengths although I may add distance too
EDIT: Didn't realises you still had to press the Lap button to start a new interval even after you've started your swim and the clock has started. Surely that's already your first interval!
Edited by R Mutt on Tuesday 15th February 19:41
Ben Jk said:
I used to swim at a decent standard as a kid, but since had done nothing serious until a few months ago (I'm 34 now). Training to hopefully start Triathlons so working on my swim again.
Slowly getting my mojo back. Seems to be getting my crawl breathing righ that's taking time.
Bloody hell. Can’t remember what happened back in 2015 but I never did a Triathlon and the swimming stopped. Slowly getting my mojo back. Seems to be getting my crawl breathing righ that's taking time.
However…I’m now 41 and the swimming has started again along with the running and riding. Fully committed to a triathlon again now! My crawl needs a lot of work though!
PB Jnr2 qualified for the NSW Open Swimming Championships this weekend, getting under the QT for two events - 50 Free MC and 100 Breast MC. Quite chuffed as she was probably the youngest competitor at the whole event.
Anyway, managed two PBs and 7th overall in the 100 Breast - a very happy and bouncy 11yo after this flying start…
Anyway, managed two PBs and 7th overall in the 100 Breast - a very happy and bouncy 11yo after this flying start…
Another Proud Dad Update…
Just gone through the primary schools swimming competitions, which takes two months and culminates in the best swimmers from each Region meeting at a NSW State Primary Schools Final over two days at Sydney Olympic Park. It’s a full-on couple of days and is always exciting for kids to compete there.
Anyway, from 5 races PB Jnr2 managed 3 gold, 2 silver, 3 PBs, and one State Record. Which led to receiving the shield for Most Outstanding Multi Class Swimmer of the Meet and a place on the NSW Primary Schools State Team.
She is more bouncy than a very bouncy thing and is already planning the trip to the National event in August.
Obligatory diving pic, PB Jnr2 in Lane 1…
Just gone through the primary schools swimming competitions, which takes two months and culminates in the best swimmers from each Region meeting at a NSW State Primary Schools Final over two days at Sydney Olympic Park. It’s a full-on couple of days and is always exciting for kids to compete there.
Anyway, from 5 races PB Jnr2 managed 3 gold, 2 silver, 3 PBs, and one State Record. Which led to receiving the shield for Most Outstanding Multi Class Swimmer of the Meet and a place on the NSW Primary Schools State Team.
She is more bouncy than a very bouncy thing and is already planning the trip to the National event in August.
Obligatory diving pic, PB Jnr2 in Lane 1…
Antony Moxey said:
No. Never used to when I swam seriously so haven't bothered this time round. I did think it was dehydration (and being an unfit slob) so I'm drinking much more beforehand and have to say the cramp has reduced dramatically. I've also found easing into sets more than I used to as well has had an effect. Hopefully a bit more fluid throughout the day will sort it properly - I guess I'm just not used to doing that much exercise these days and need to get back into it gradually!
As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Maybe try 50/50 BS FC rather that 70/30. Then as your fitness improves move to more FC. I find I can do BS without getting out of breathe but FC is harder so this helps me. As an aside I've bought a Garmin swim 2. Hugely impressive, especially with timing reps. Anyways, I digress, I think you're right about fitness.
Antony Moxey said:
PomBstard said:
Antony Moxey said:
Imagine how good she'd be if she could start like those in L1 and L4. World records beckon!!
PB Jnr2 is in L1, and now has two State records, so you might be on to something… 
Aussie-born to British parents is the best I can offer…
PomBstard said:
Antony Moxey said:
PomBstard said:
Antony Moxey said:
Imagine how good she'd be if she could start like those in L1 and L4. World records beckon!!
PB Jnr2 is in L1, and now has two State records, so you might be on to something… Aussie-born to British parents is the best I can offer…
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff