Increasing Distance/Endurance

crosbie

Hi all. Finally have got the mechanics of my stroke correct, about 18 for 25m with a proper catch and pull phase. Just wondering what programs you guys are using to increase swim distance/endurance. At the moment I can do about 600-800m but absolutely die afterwards. Think my breathing is OK - breath out on pull phase and make sure all air is out before turning to breath. I just feel I have his a plateau and am not progressing any tips/programs would be helpful. As always thanks.:)

banjobongo

if you are looking to build endurance try doing sets of 200m, on a time thats reasonably comfortable for you, after you do a good warm up, for example:
10 mins warm up, easy 50s, some leg only, mix up FC and back.
Main set: 5 x 200m on say 4.00, with an extra 30 secs break after the 3rd set. Once you can do this, try changing the rep time down by 10 secs at a time until you can do the set at say 3.40 and by then you should find that you are getting fitter!

TunaSaladBB

Best way is to find a coaching session in a pool convenient to you at a time convenient to you. Find a lane there that suits your level by asking coach. You'll be given a session similiar to the one above and you'll have the support of a coach and people in the lane with you, who would be at the same level as you. Aim to gradually improve in that lane and then move up to the next lane when the sessions become too comfortable.

AngryHippie

Swimming improves on a sawtooth curve anyway, so expect plateaus, the main thing is to keep motivated, and try and push the training sets a little during these phases. Most swimmers train to taper twice a year, and their times will be pretty consistent up to their taper, and then in the week or two of light training during the taper phase, their times drop pretty dramatically. I've been working in Brisbane in a pool with several olympic level swimmers, and keeping an eye on their sets, and on their times in the Nationals two weeks ago, Its pretty undeniable. the results are there.

sock puppet

AngryHippie wrote: »

Swimming improves on a sawtooth curve anyway, so expect plateaus, the main thing is to keep motivated, and try and push the training sets a little during these phases. Most swimmers train to taper twice a year, and their times will be pretty consistent up to their taper, and then in the week or two of light training during the taper phase, their times drop pretty dramatically. I've been working in Brisbane in a pool with several olympic level swimmers, and keeping an eye on their sets, and on their times in the Nationals two weeks ago, Its pretty undeniable. the results are there.

Cool might I ask what your working as down there?

AngryHippie

duty manager, lifeguard, swimming instructor, and general dogsbody, but my 6 months are up, so I've to quit until August

sock puppet

AngryHippie wrote: »

duty manager, lifeguard, swimming instructor, and general dogsbody, but my 6 months are up, so I've to quit until August

Well I'm sure you'll have just as much fun if you get a job in a pool back here:p. Yeah Queensland produce some fantastic swimmers, especially given the population.

To answer your question OP it can be very discouraging when you're putting in loads of effort without any apparent results. Just remember if you keep working hard it'll stand to you and you will get fitter.