General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Going from SCY to LCM is hard Rss Feed  
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2016-07-01 10:19 AM

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
Second full week of swimming LCM, having never done it, before. I've only been swimming, regularly, for 10 mos. (all previous swimming has been SCY).

I get there are fewer opportunities to push off the wall. I get that every time I turn (SCY) I take a breath (open turns).

But wow.....I would've never guessed LCM would be this much more taxing. If you switch back and forth.....do you realize the change as substantial?


2016-07-01 11:18 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard

During the summer, our Masters team swims SCY Mon-Wed-Fri and LCM Tu-Th-Sa, so we're switching back and forth everyday.

Our coach writes our workout accordingly, with more stroke & drill work on the SCY days, and more long sets on the LCM days.

It does take some adjustment and I know a lot of folks get intimidated by LCM at first.  But for triathletes, it's probably the best way to replicate the feel for  OWS in a pool.

One of the things I like about swimming LCM is it gives you more time to get into a rhythm and ingrain your stroke technique.

Personally, I enjoy both.  

Mark 

 

 

2016-07-01 12:50 PM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
Newbie Q: explain SCY and LCM?
2016-07-01 12:55 PM
in reply to: #5189270

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370
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, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
SCY= 25 yards
SCM=25 meters
LCM= 50 meters

25 yards= 75 ft
25 meters= 82ft
50 meters.= 164ft
2016-07-01 11:40 PM
in reply to: Burchib

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Ventura, California
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard

Originally posted by Burchib Newbie Q: explain SCY and LCM?

 

SCY=Short Coarse Yards

LCM=Long Course Meters

 

 

2016-07-02 10:42 AM
in reply to: nc452010

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Regular
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
I actually prefer LCM myself. As long as you are swimming some LCM yo don't really notice going back and forth. Remember, LCM is longer than SCY as well. If you are trying to compare times, that isn't a fair comparison.


2016-07-02 11:09 AM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard

I actually suspect that if you do flip turns, the difference is less. I'm no flip turn pro,but once I'm getting tired, my flip turns are significantly faster than my open turns and with flip turns you can't slack off for that extra breath on the wall. Even an extra 1sec per open turn wall touch (which feels negligibly slower if you're doing open turns) yields nearly 4sec/100 of rest time, which is nearly a whole level of performance difference. 

 

I know there are a lot of open turn insisters, but I really felt my swimming improved once I flip turned regularly mainly because of the decreased wall rest time. My relaxed flip turn is faster than my fastest open turns where I feel like I'm making every effort to go as fast as possible in the open turn. 

2016-07-02 7:05 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Floriduh
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
Originally posted by yazmaster
I really felt my swimming improved once I flip turned regularly mainly because of the decreased wall rest time.


Yep
2016-07-02 9:36 PM
in reply to: #5189291


319
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Sarasota, Florida
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
Eh, I never got comfortable with flip turns but I don't kick off the wall either. I feel it's cheating?
2016-07-03 10:39 AM
in reply to: 0

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Expert
2852
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
I'm guilty of taking a breath at the wall (meaning.....my head's out of the water before I push off - since I don't do flip turns), but I don't dwell there (at all).

Which is why the difference is surprising. It's not like I'm not making my intervals or workouts. It's the fact they're taxing me more than the same ydg. did, swimming SCY.



Edited by nc452010 2016-07-03 10:40 AM
2016-07-03 11:26 AM
in reply to: #5189270

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370
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, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
I just tell myself that the open turn is how often I should be sighting. And that its just sighting practice.

I've tried to flip. I just go sideways instead of straight over. The more I try to go straight over the more sideways i go. Maybe this winter when I'm less focused on yardage(meterage?) I'll put the effort into learning them.


2016-07-03 1:33 PM
in reply to: #5189424

Member
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Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
I was a die hard open turn guy for about 4 years when I started tri's. Then, about six months ago I just decided that no matter what I'd only do flip turns. No matter how awkward, etc....Took me maybe a week and I haven't looked back.

Much better workout, imho.
2016-07-04 5:44 PM
in reply to: runtim23

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Veteran
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Great White North
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
Devils advocate here : when do you stop take a breath and rest for 2 seconds every 25 in open water.

Pushing off and kicking is not cheating.
2016-07-04 8:51 PM
in reply to: nc452010


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Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard

Originally posted by nc452010 I'm guilty of taking a breath at the wall (meaning.....my head's out of the water before I push off - since I don't do flip turns), but I don't dwell there (at all). Which is why the difference is surprising. It's not like I'm not making my intervals or workouts. It's the fact they're taxing me more than the same ydg. did, swimming SCY.
 

 

Again, for the average triathlete swimmer, that single breath you take on your open turn adds 1sec/length of rest time to your pool workouts compared to a flip turn or no flip turn. Doesn't sound like a lot, but compared to a straight 100 with no open turns, that's 4sec/100, which is enough of a pace difference between completing a hard set of intervals without undue difficulty, vs dying out after only finishing half of them. 

 

So yes, it feels harder at LCM because you're missing 2 rest stops, even if they're short. 2sec/100 won't be enough to make you outright miss equivalent intervals when going from 25SCY to 50LCM, but you will definitely notice the added effort to hit the same time equivalents at 50LCM because of the lack of those 2 rest stops.

 

 

2016-07-04 10:05 PM
in reply to: yazmaster

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Veteran
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Great White North
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
1 sec per turn is 1 minute in a 1500.
2016-07-05 4:47 AM
in reply to: simpsonbo

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Expert
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Pfafftown, NC
Subject: RE: Going from SCY to LCM is hard
We don't do 1500's in SCY or LCM. I've swam straight 1500's (in open water......in a race) and a 1.2 mi. swim (open water.....in a race).

I was just noticing how much different the LCM v. SCY are, to me. I wouldn't have guessed it would make a difference.

Thanks for the replies.


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