Ideas to PUSH past first 20 laps
graceinbreath
Posts: 49 Member
I am back in the pool after a long hiatus - and I can't seem to push past the first 20 laps - I get bored and my arms are exhausted. I have tried using the kickboard for a few laps just to help my arms by giving them a rest - I mostly do freestyle and backstroke - I don't like breaststroke at all - i need some suggestions - I'd like to be doing 50 laps with ease by October (if not more!) - Thanks!
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Replies
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I recently jumped back in the water after a 4 year hiatus. The only suggestion I have, since I haven't been faced with this problem is to set a scheduled work out and stick to it. I have to do the math to translate "laps" into "meters", but basically it sounds like you're swimming 2,500 meters (1 lap is 50 meters x 50). Break that up into different sets, so that you aren't tiring yourself out in one massive push. For instance, swim 500 meters (10 laps), kick 500 meters, pull 500 meters, 5 x 100 meters of stroke technique work, and swim 500 more meters. Then increase each set by 100 meters when you've got the hang of it.
btw, I only think in meters because of the years I spent competitive swimming.0 -
I also have a routine - it mixes up lots of different lengths of drills (search swimming you tube stuff for ideas?) and full blown swimming. I can't cope (yet?) with the 4x100 approach - I like to swim a different stroke or drill most lengths and I lose count really easily so I have based what to do next on letters of the alphabet to make it easy to remember. I am sure you can figure out something that suits you. But my main point is that having this varied routine keeps it much more interesting and so I can go further, and I do it nearly every time I go, and nowadays I do it twice through (or each varied length for 2 lenghts). So set a stretch target - 25 Laps this week, 30 next week etc and have a really varied routine...but determine the routine before you gd in the water. Working so far for me...!0
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I also have a routine - it mixes up lots of different lengths of drills (search swimming you tube stuff for ideas?) and full blown swimming. I can't cope (yet?) with the 4x100 approach - I like to swim a different stroke or drill most lengths and I lose count really easily so I have based what to do next on letters of the alphabet to make it easy to remember. I am sure you can figure out something that suits you. But my main point is that having this varied routine keeps it much more interesting and so I can go further, and I do it nearly every time I go, and nowadays I do it twice through (or each varied length for 2 lenghts). So set a stretch target - 25 Laps this week, 30 next week etc and have a really varied routine...but determine the routine before you gd in the water. Working so far for me...!
For starting out I suggest 4x100 for stroke technique, since you are usually isolating part of the stroke, which makes the pace overall for it lighter and less intense. For instance, training front crawl, you use a pull-buoy and focus on building power or speed into your stroke. Just a thought.0
