IM Swim Training

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2008-02-06 7:25 AM

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Champion
10154
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Alabama
Subject: IM Swim Training

I'll be starting to train for my second IM soon.  I love swimming but have never done anything in the pool but swim laps.  I have no desire to kill myself training in the pool and am not trying to qualify for Kona but of on a whim I bought paddles and a buoy.   What do I do with them?  Seriously, I have no idea what I'm doing in the pool. 

~Mike 

2008-02-06 10:09 AM
in reply to: #1196602

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2008-02-06 10:25 AM
in reply to: #1196602

Elite
2915
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New City, New York
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
They are primarily used in the warm up sets. Sometimes the buoy is also recommended as part of the cool dowm. Nothing in the main set or too long with either.
2008-02-06 10:37 AM
in reply to: #1197063

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training

I use them exclusively for drill stuff.  Low effort, just 100% focus on form and technique.

There are plenty of people that use them for all sort of sets during their swim training.  From everything I've read and heard from my swim coach that I used, this is not a good idea.

I'd also 2nd Fleebs recommendation on spending the few bucks for the one on one lessons.  Even if you are a solid swimmer he/she will still be able to find holes in your technique which can make you even better.

2008-02-06 10:56 AM
in reply to: #1196602

Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
Well, if you aren't sure what to do in terms of a workout... get Swim Workouts in a Binder for Triathletes. That way, you can go to the pool with a workout to follow through with. It's so easy to stop early when you are just aimlessly swimming back and forth. Go in with a purpose.

I don't use paddles, but I will use the buoy for some of my laps. The workouts my old coach gave me had me doing some sets with one and some without.

2008-02-06 11:11 AM
in reply to: #1196602

Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
Warm up set?  Hmmm.  When I go to the pool, I jump in and swim somewhere between 25 and 80 laps depending on how I feel.  I swim non-stop with no change in pace or stroke.  There is no warm-up, no intervals, no cool-down.  I just love to swim. 
I'm thinking the paddles might help me build stronger arms?  So figure maybe use the paddles for 10 or 20 laps.  Not sure what the buoy is used for.
RE talking to a swim coach.  There are a couple of swim coaches at the pool that are friends of mine.  They have evaluated my stoke and made suggestions for minor corrections.
 
~Mike

2008-02-06 11:24 AM
in reply to: #1196602

over a barrier
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
If you bought the paddles with finger and wrist strap...only use the finger strap. If your paddles stays on your hand you have decent form.

The bouy takes your legs out of the equation, so you work on the front end of your stroke in isolation. I wouldn't recommend using either if you're a newer swimmer. You'll probably gain more speed improving your form and balance in the water. If you're looking to go from 1:30 to 1:20 per 100 ave - they can help with the catch and help make your tris/lats stronger...there is also the danger of blowing your shoulder out if you have bad form.
2008-02-06 11:40 AM
in reply to: #1197163

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2008-02-06 12:36 PM
in reply to: #1197163

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
Rogillio - 2008-02-06 11:11 AM
Warm up set?  Hmmm.  When I go to the pool, I jump in and swim somewhere between 25 and 80 laps depending on how I feel.  I swim non-stop with no change in pace or stroke.  There is no warm-up, no intervals, no cool-down.  I just love to swim. 
I'm thinking the paddles might help me build stronger arms?  So figure maybe use the paddles for 10 or 20 laps.  Not sure what the buoy is used for.
RE talking to a swim coach.  There are a couple of swim coaches at the pool that are friends of mine.  They have evaluated my stoke and made suggestions for minor corrections.
 
~Mike

No! Doing that will be a great way to mess up with your shoulders... paddles are design to help you imprint proper stroke pattern. It teaches you hand entry, reach. Catch and pull. You use the paddles for some sets and then switch back to swimming to imprint the proper movement. Buoy is designed to teach you proper balance and body rotation. When you swim with one your azz is up on the water, you body is properly balanced and to move you have to properly rotate otherwise you swim slower. You use it for a few sets and the just swim to imprint the proper movement.

Why don’t you ask the swim coaches for suggestions for workouts?

2008-02-06 12:52 PM
in reply to: #1197403

Champion
10154
500050001002525
Alabama
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
amiine - 2008-02-06 12:36 PM

 

Why don’t you ask the swim coaches for suggestions for workouts?

 

Thanks.  I just sent an email to a swim coach buddy of mine for suggestions.

 

~Mike

2008-02-06 2:27 PM
in reply to: #1196602

Master
1292
1000100100252525
McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training

My masters coach is a big believer in pull sets. A lot of what we do with them is in the main set. So we may do something like this:

4x150 swim - descend 1>4

4x150 pull - descend 1>4

Or our workout yesterday:

1x50 swim
1x100 swim
1x200 swim
1x200 pull
1x100 pull
1x50 pull

It's all about enforcing proper form, not getting stronger.

2008-02-06 2:35 PM
in reply to: #1197140

Master
2202
2000100100
Canton, Michigan
Subject: RE: IM Swim Training
KSH - 2008-02-06 11:56 AM

Well, if you aren't sure what to do in terms of a workout... get Swim Workouts in a Binder for Triathletes. That way, you can go to the pool with a workout to follow through with. It's so easy to stop early when you are just aimlessly swimming back and forth. Go in with a purpose.



x2

I never went to the pool with a plan before finding BT last August, swam aimlessly. Between some of the BT workouts I've found and Workouts in a Binder I now go to the pool with purpose and a goal, which makes getting a good workout much easier IMHO.

Workouts in a Binder are nice to have as you can take it on the pool deck with you as the pages are coated for use around the pool.
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