First Attempt at “Masters Swim”
January 31st, 2007
Well, I attempted my first “Masters Swim” workout this evening… and I have to admit it was a total bust. I went to one of Seattle’s several local city owned pools that offer evening “Masters Swim Workouts”. The headline is this program is not for me. I am going to try to find a better alternative, and I will give the concept of masters swims another chance… which is to say, I will look for a program that works for me. But this particular program didn’t cut it for me.
This is how the program was billed… “Masters Workout is a structured workout led by experienced instructors/coaches designed to help you get in shape, stay in shape, or prepare for an important swim meet. Workouts are for adults 18 and older.” I was particularly interested in the “led by experienced instructor/coaches” part. But, what I found was not quite what I expected.
First of all, I will admit that I was really intimidated by the concept. I mean, of course I understand the basics of “sets” and “interval training”. I’ve done this sort of training for running and cycling, and I’ve even done some sets on my own at my gym. But the idea of a bunch of other swimmers in the same lane as you all following the same set definitely makes me feel under pressure. I know I’m a slow swimmer, and I don’t want to hold up the group. Plus, I admit, running intervals make more sense to me, but swimming intervals seem to have a language of their own. Here were some of the things I overheard or was told tonight: “100s on the 1:30″, “we’re gonna do 35’s”, “we’re pushing off on the 1:20″, “if you get behind just drop a 50″. Bleh! It’s all Greek to me.
This program has 6 lanes and apparently each lane is supposed to be a different speed. The far left two lanes were “on the 1:45″; the middle two “were much faster”; the two lanes on the right were “the slow lanes”. Ok, that sounds reasonable… what is my pace I was asked… “Well, I know I can swim a 40min mile.”, I said… “uh, what? I can’t do that math in my head”, was the reply. Needless to say, I scurried off to the slow lane.
The other problem was, there was no coach, no instructor, nothing. There was a life guard, which I guess is good because the pool had a true “deep end” but still, there wasn’t anyone there to get advice from. So really I don’t see the difference between this approach and just doing intervals from a book at my gym.
Alright, so I took the plunge I tried it out, but without a coach, I don’t think I’m gonna get any value from it. So I’ll look for a program with a coach. I’ll let you know what I find… in the mean time, more laps at 40min/mile pace.
Entry Filed under: Living Seattle, Fitness, Triathlon, Swimming, Ironman
11 Comments Add your own
1. Wendy | February 2nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Sorry your first masters workout wasn’t what you were looking for. I hope this comment will help you out a little and give you some confidence to find a masters program that works for you.
There’s a quick terminology primer at: http://www.wsumastersswimming.org/workouts/lingo.html
Doing a set on 1:45 means the time you have to both swim and rest.
If you have an electronic pace clock, pushing off on 1:20 means that is the time the lead swimmer in the lane will begin the next repeat (if you have an old fashioned clock you’ll hear on the :20, and if it has 4 coloured hands you’ll hear things like “on the red” or “on the yellow :10″). Each swimmer generally leaves 5 seconds apart, so you can tell your time for each repeat.
If you get behind “drop a 50″ just means you swim a 50 when everyone else swims a 100. That will catch you up and give you some rest.
Here’s an easy swim pace calculator: http://www.bx3.com/phil/tri/tricalc.asp
By it’s calculation a 42:00 mile is 2:36/100 metres or 2:23/100 yards.
2. ZappoMan | February 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
So I guess I really am slow… My Ironman swim pace which I was really happy with was apparently a 02:15/100yrds… No wonder I’m so intimidated by these other masters swimmers.
3. ZappoMan | February 3rd, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Oh, by the way, thanks for the information. And by the way, I like your blog.
4. Wendy | February 4th, 2007 at 6:36 am
You’re most welcome ZM! I’m happy to help.
And really, you’re not slow. Many, many people would be envious of a steady 2:15 pace.
But if you can find the right masters program for you, I’m sure you’ll find your swim pace improving (cause for even more jealousy)!
And thanks for stoppin’ by my blog.
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