Home› General Training Discussions

OS Swimming - Am I bad enough so it makes sense??

Bob IrwinBob Irwin
in General Training Discussions

The coaches have said that you should only swim in the OS if you're really bad or just can't stand to be out of  the water.  I don't mind not swimming regularly, which is probably why I'm a pretty slow swimmer.  My HIM time last year was42 min, and my IM time was 92 min.  I think I'd be happy if I could take 3-5 min off of my HIM time and 5-10 off of my IM time - as long as I feel good when I get done with the swim.  Am I slow enough so that I should be doing some swimming - how much?

Comments

  • daisymackdaisymack
    Bob, have you ever taken a clinic or gotten some one-on-one coaching? Swimming is technique, technique, technique. If your technique is currently sub-par, getting in the pool will only reinforce sub-par technique and get you nowhere.

    You might try to take advantage of the time you have in the OS and sign up for a weekend clinic or hire a coach for a block of sessions. Get some feedback on your stroke, build a repertoire of drills that reinforce an efficient stroke, and then dedicate any (limited) pool time in the OS to simply practicing your technique rather than building volume. Once the true season starts you can then build volume using your new and improved stroke.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    What Suzanne said. With your swim times, swimming faster has everything to do with technique and about nothing with swim fitness. Your time is better spent, if you are going to swim, with working with a coach one-on-one for technique.

  • Tomer TTomer T

     Does any one know of a good swim coach in North Texas?

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Tomer, of course I do!

    I know several, of course. Some of them are formally coaches, others are just very-gifted swimmer friends that tutor/coach as well.

    I just sent out an email to my contacts to get their contact information and their rates.

    Hit me up (salexand652@gmail.com) and I'll see what I can find for you.
  • David FlintDavid Flint
    Hi Bob - I've been swimming since November - did some breaststroke & 'play' free-style as a kid but nothing since (42 now).
    Had 3 x one on one lessons which have been really good and get sent homework to do, mainly technique drills. Considering my situation, I have to swim in OS but constantly pestering my swim coach on the ROI & 'point of diminishing returns' so I can step back from 3-4 sessions a week!
    See swimming a little like golf - bloody frustrating! :-) Although things are going well, your 42mins HIM time sounds pretty quick to me!

    Here in the UK the Swimsmooth.com website & coaching seems popular - cool desk-top stroke technique video to help with your visualisation.
  • Bob IrwinBob Irwin

    I've actully done swimming with a couple of different masters teams (including the one in Walnut Creek which is supposed to have good coaches), as well as 1x1 sessions with a coach.   All have said my technique is good - made only a few small suggestions.   The individual coach also suggested that I focus on 10-20x50 or 100 intervals instead of long swims - consistent with our program.  But I'm still slow and get tired.  My intuition says I should be doing a couple of technique focussed workouts per week during the OS, but if it's not really going to help, why bother.

Sign In or Register to comment.