At this past Ironman Arizona, I set a new PR for the swim portion (and for every other part of the race too!). My time was 1:19:47, which for me is pretty fast. I knew how to swim growing up, but not properly. So, when I decided to do an Ironman, I teamed up with The Captain, who swam in high school, and started working on my technique. From where I started, I can notice a huge difference, but I know that I still have a long way to go.
I took a few weeks off after the Ironman and didn't do any scheduled training. I just simply did something if I felt like it. Since I am not a big fan of swimming, I didn't do any swimming...until last week, which was just shy of 4 weeks post Ironman! I met The Captain up at LA Fitness for a short, but hard swim workout, with a nice and easy 6 mile brick run to follow.
I should start this by explaining that there were two goals for this particular swim. First was to remember how to swim. Second was to try and replicate a swim workout that The Captain and I had done just four days before the Ironman. In short, he tried to kill me during that swim and was attempting to do it again. Well, I was actually pleasantly surprised with what transpired during our first swim of this new season. We did 4 sets of 5 laps, finishing in 4:10, 4:08, 4:07, and 3:56 respectively. And we only took thirty seconds of rest between each set! I am 100% positive that I have never swam that fast before. Again, maybe it's not super fast, but for me it's pretty darn good.
About a week later, I got up at 5 a.m. and headed over to the pool for some laps. I didn't have The Captain there to pace me, but I still swam much faster than I normally do. Which makes me very optimistic for my near future. I'm not going to get my hopes up quite yet of anything spectacular for IMCdA, because it is 6 months away. My hope is that I can continue my swim training, and not push it to the side like I normally do when my training volume starts to increase. Only time will tell!
With six months before the next IM you should spend the next three focusing heavily on technique. Lots of different drills to correct your stroke, lengthen it, and smooth out the rough edges. Strength is useless in the water if you can't use it properly, unlike the bike or run where if you're strong enough you can muscle through. Sounds like you're making good progress!
ReplyDeleteSwimming requires much more refined technique than most people realize. It is the only triathlon disciple which women and men compete on equal ground. Much like a golf swing, there are many factors which equate to a good efficient swim stroke. You know you are very fit and fitter than that person swimming 15 seconds per hundred faster than you, so what is the deal ? a good efficient strong swim stroke is the deal. how do you get one ? unfortunately, they are not to be found in the clearance corner on the trisports website. practice, practice, practice and some good tips from a trusting knowledgeable swim person can do the trick, however advice can do as much harm as good. i agree with dirtbag on focusing heavily on technique, everyone of your swim workouts should include a technique set which works on a specific part of your stroke.
ReplyDeletep.s. congrats on your faster swimming