Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Swimming: 03/23/2011

I did the standard week three workout this morning without issue.  I wasn't overly worn out at the end of the workout and I'm sure I'm ready to move on to week 4.  The week 4 workout is moving well beyond what I'll need to do for a sprint distance triathlon.  My swims lately have been fairly easy.  I don't feel anywhere near as tired after a swim as I do after a run.  Of course, I'm really slow and am generally working on pacing myself so I can make it through a full workout without passing out and/or drowning.  I'm definitely a stronger swimmer than I was just a few weeks ago.  My lung capacity has definitely improved. 

I was reading an article recently about swimming that said to become a better swimmer one needs to forget everything he knows about becoming a better runner when he enters the pool.  And it seems to be true.  I can't push myself to go faster in the pool.  It's not that I'm physically incapable, it just doesn't happen.  I can try to stroke faster, but all I end up doing is taking more strokes per length of pool.  The key is form.  In the article it compares an elite swimmer to a beginner triathlete by comparing strokes per length of a 25 yard pool.  An elite swimmer is doing 25 yards in 7 or 8 strokes, while a beginner may get between 20 and 25 strokes.  I counted this morning and I was doing 25 yards with between 18 and 21 strokes.

Now that I can do the distance that will be required for a sprint distance tri, I need to start working routine improvement into my workouts.  That's the one thing that can make the biggest difference I'm my swimming.

Next up:  I'm running tomorrow and then moving on to week four of the 0 to 1650 swim routine on Friday.

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