I (re)started swimming in 2007, after not swimming since high school. I did duathlons in 2006 and then decided to try triathlons in 2007, so I started swimming in March 2007. I have undoubtly gotten faster. I hired a coach in 2008 and got swimworkouts that I did on my own, typically 3 days a week. I started Masters in early 2009, typically 3 days a week. You can see significant yardage jumps from 2007 to 2008, and I have more or less maintained that yardage since then. Something of a spike in 2009 and 2010, when I swam more due to my stress fracture.
I have shown improvement with time, but more or less flattened out. Since the swim distance on swim courses is somewhat suspect, it is hard to determine really how fast you are going. The only true test of improvement and how fast you are is in the pool, with a certified distance and controlled conditions. Some swims have the timing mat immediately out of the water, some you have a decent run up before you get to it, so that is included in your time.
I do know that when I started, it was 2+ minutes for a 100s in a set. Now I am more in the area of 1:30, sometimes faster.
I do not think I need to add yardage to get faster. I think I do plenty of yardage for the distances I race. To get faster I think I need to do more intensity and probably get a stroke coach. I know that I require improvements to my stroke. I drop my left arm, and my entry can get sloppy. I try to work on those things, but I think it will take coaching for me to really improve my stroke.
Below is the data table. My times in the table and the charts are in seconds/100yards because it is easier to plot. The unusually fast time in 2011 is the Twin Cities Triathlon swim in the Mississippi. In 2009, I only did two races, the reason for the narrow range, one was a relay and one was a sprint, where I walked the run.
I think the data plots really display the change in yardage, and time, and the change in my average pace. There is a huge jump in yardage and time, and my drop in pace, and then everything is clustered at the end. This is probably a good indicator that I need to change my intensity and/or stroke, since my improvement has leveled off. It seems to be the same trend as my run and bike, I don't really need to do more, I just need to do more intensity and do it better.
My fastest times, are probably the 1:24/100yards - 1:29/100yards.
I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, and I will say it again. As a beginning triathlete, the best thing you can do is swim a lot and get conditioned in the swim. I have heard/seen, so many beginning triathletes say they will just "get through the swim", barely do any swim training, do all bike and run, and then get to race day and have a bad/horrible swim, and up having the rest of the race be difficult because of it. When the swim is comfortable, in the sense you can do it and it is not stressful, and you are conditioned for it, the whole race is "easier".
Swim Data Table
Comparison of Total Hours Swimming to Average Swim Pace for that Year
Comparison of Total Yards Swam to Average Swim Pace for that Year
I have shown improvement with time, but more or less flattened out. Since the swim distance on swim courses is somewhat suspect, it is hard to determine really how fast you are going. The only true test of improvement and how fast you are is in the pool, with a certified distance and controlled conditions. Some swims have the timing mat immediately out of the water, some you have a decent run up before you get to it, so that is included in your time.
I do know that when I started, it was 2+ minutes for a 100s in a set. Now I am more in the area of 1:30, sometimes faster.
I do not think I need to add yardage to get faster. I think I do plenty of yardage for the distances I race. To get faster I think I need to do more intensity and probably get a stroke coach. I know that I require improvements to my stroke. I drop my left arm, and my entry can get sloppy. I try to work on those things, but I think it will take coaching for me to really improve my stroke.
Below is the data table. My times in the table and the charts are in seconds/100yards because it is easier to plot. The unusually fast time in 2011 is the Twin Cities Triathlon swim in the Mississippi. In 2009, I only did two races, the reason for the narrow range, one was a relay and one was a sprint, where I walked the run.
I think the data plots really display the change in yardage, and time, and the change in my average pace. There is a huge jump in yardage and time, and my drop in pace, and then everything is clustered at the end. This is probably a good indicator that I need to change my intensity and/or stroke, since my improvement has leveled off. It seems to be the same trend as my run and bike, I don't really need to do more, I just need to do more intensity and do it better.
My fastest times, are probably the 1:24/100yards - 1:29/100yards.
I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times, and I will say it again. As a beginning triathlete, the best thing you can do is swim a lot and get conditioned in the swim. I have heard/seen, so many beginning triathletes say they will just "get through the swim", barely do any swim training, do all bike and run, and then get to race day and have a bad/horrible swim, and up having the rest of the race be difficult because of it. When the swim is comfortable, in the sense you can do it and it is not stressful, and you are conditioned for it, the whole race is "easier".
Swim Data Table
Comparison of Total Hours Swimming to Average Swim Pace for that Year
Comparison of Total Yards Swam to Average Swim Pace for that Year
2 comments:
I'd suggest working on your stroke. I don't have hard stats, but I'd say with a lot of confidence that the primary difference between a good swimmer and an average swimmer comes down to technique.
I would agree with you 100%. That is why I am going to try and get some stroke coaching in 2013.
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