Swim stroke rate (Page 4)

Does USAT use the 200/800 to calculate CSS (or something like it) or as a predictor for how the race goes? Fast start the first couple hundred and then hang on/cruise the rest in the pack (sort of). May not be a big deal, but isn't quite the same thing.

I don't know.  I just know they use the formula for the Jr. Elite program, the collegiate recruitment program, and the Elite program.  I also know that if done properly.....truly all out......it's a killer.

Agreed...but they aren't just the best swimmers.  In many cases these days they are the fastest triathletes. (at least for sprint/Oly) So......why can't adults swim MUCH more and run/bike less (timewise) but up the intensity, like I see the fastest Jrs. in the country do?  The swimming, if done properly, builds an incredible engine, as you know.....and again, if done properly there are aspects of some swim workouts that appear to me to have great benefits to running/cycling (not take the place of it) such as hip and core development from kick sets, etc. 

What I see are people who spend 60% of their workout time in the water and the rest split between cycling and running.  The results are sub 1 hour sprint times and 2 hour Oly times.  Do you have to be young to achieve fast times with those types of workouts?  Why does it work so well for them but is mostly considered unworkable for any triathlete? 

I don't think many people see the ROI on improving their swim that much.  They think they would have to spend a ton of time to cut 1 minute off their sprint swim time and for some reason that 1 minute isn't as important as the 1 minute they could cut off their 5k time.  In the end, they might cut 1 minute off their swim time and more off the bike and run by not being hosed coming out of the water.

Swimming more often is also a bigger time suck.  A 1 hour swim typically kills 2 hours of my day, 20 mins to drive to the pool, 10 to get ready (including standing on the edge of the pool for 5 not wanting to get in the cold water ), then swim for an hour, 10 to shower and dress and 20 back home.

First, you have to have talent (genetics) to achieve those kinds of times.  I'm sure there are some adults who could thrive by training in a similar fashio to what you see.  But that is a small subset of adult triathletes who have a real desire to be long-term competitive and willing to commit to a dedicated swimming program for several years in order to get there.  And have a lot of time to commit to training to begin with.  It's just not the profile of many AG triathletes, so a small subset.  And, for many of them, there are also usually other ways to get to their goals.

Sure....I understand that and I agree.  But the goal is always improvement in times (at least for those doing triathlon as something more than a bucket item)....so I'm trying to look at another way other than what is normally prescribed in light of the fact that most people who do triathlon are abysmal swimmers compared to people who have fast triathlons.  I can tell you that I am amazed at what I see......because it does go against what I had seen, and thought I knew, about training for triathlons over the past 30 years since I first did a triathlon.  You could not have convinced me that a swim based training regimen would be as successful as I've watched it be......and was pretty resistant when I was pushed that way with my kid.....but the results, and not just with him but others doing the same work, have been pretty startling.

I wish!  

Those things aren't cheap.

Needs a glass bottom. Then the TV will work. Put Shark Week on repeat.

but what if it was in  your basement providing as easy access as the trainer?

Probably not until after elbow surgery next month.    I've told you 100 times.......I don't give a rats arse about my triathlon ambitions anymore.  My days of running fast and doing fast triathlon are long gone.    What I have now is the ability to help and support young people do triathlon.  Some to a very high level, some to a level of fun and fitness.  I'm good with it.....and the more I understand what the fast people do and how it can or can't be applied the better I can help.

You need to get over it......you're not exactly tearing up the road anymore at your age. LOL

haha, careful, his son might start going to races with him and then make you look really slow