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Original poster

Swimmers? Whats a good aim to have?

30 replies

smurfgirl · 02/02/2009 16:56

I have been swimming regularly for three months, really really enjoying it and am def a lot fitter since starting.

I have just started to manage to do 50 lengths in a 25m pool in just under an hour.

I was sooooooo pleased with myself until some women I was chatting to today who cruised up and down in full hair and makeup told me they did the same .
I am so tired after that amount and feel really puffed (I do half as front crawl) and they looked dead glam and had rests. I literally have to swim solidly for 50 minutes to do that amount!

Whats a good time? What should I aim for? I would love to swim a mile in an hour but I am just so slow. I am trying hard to focus on technique. I really want to be better at it, its the only sport I feel I am reasonably natural at.

OP posts:
Original poster
smurfgirl · 02/02/2009 17:24

By a sprint do you just mean go as quickly as I possibly can? Thats def something to add in.

I know that it shouldn't matter what other people do, but i feel like I work hard in the pool (I swim at a pretty decent pace - for myself) and then other people just glide on past and don't get out of breath and manage more than me. Its gutting. I want to be faster ;)

OP posts:
onegiantleap · 02/02/2009 17:23

smurf,
Well done, I would say enjoy your swimming and dont worry too much about others, do what you feel comfortable with.

Re technique; assuming you are wearing goggles and swimming with your head in the water, I ask as I often see swimmers not getting head under. If not please get googles if you are not a contact lens wearer. I improved by following others and watching/spying when I see one to one lessons going on at my local pool.
I swim 40 x 25m in about as many minutes. I don't sprint now but agree you need to do at least one length as fast as you can, get puffed out, next time try to do two fast.
Swimming crawl, count your strokes for one length, then try and reduce them by really extending yourself forwards with each stroke. The less strokes the more efficient you will be.

lostinnappies · 02/02/2009 17:14

hi a really good goal would be the swimathon

try www.swimathon.org

I did it a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it

southeastastra · 02/02/2009 17:08

omg 50 lengths! i did 6 the other week and thought that was loads

Spagblog · 02/02/2009 17:02

Don't worry about what other people do, just enjoy yourself.

If you want to get faster, you are going to have to put some sprints in.
If every 8 lengths you try to sprint one length it might help?

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