Masters Swimming - Good way for Intermediate to Improve?

D33

I'm what could be described as an average Intermediate swimmer with (a bit) of potential, (pb's 100m 1.40, 400m 7.15 - can't hold my 100m pace over longer, 3.8k 1.20hr) but despite persevering with swimming for the last couple of yrs I seem to have hit a plateau (which I know is to be expected at swimming but not when the plauteau is more of an Everest-type mountain with a permanent hurricane:)

I've realised I have poor flexibility in both rotator cuff's (which I blame on my old Crossfit days and being a complete tool lifting too much weight with no form) which I'm working with a physio on and I know is affecting my stroke. I also know that I need more time in the pool per week (currently 3 / 4 hrs but can be hit and miss) but I'm just wondering would regular Masters sessions be worthwhile? (assuming of course I don't need a speed-boat to keep up).

I probably need a lesson or two on technique but have a fair idea of my faults from previous Tri swim coach and just wondered if doing a few Masters sessions could give me the impetus to up my game and also learn from more experienced and better swimmers?

I'm based in the Grand Canal / Irishtown area and any feedback welcome (also if anyone could pass on details of a good coach for a lesson or two that'd be great)

mad m

Chasing someone faster than you in a masters session will certinly push you, and over a time can improve your times, plus your fitness. Now when I say over a time it can take just that, there is no quick fix here to improve times.

I would suggest you get your stoke looked at, its amazing what you see from video evidence.

Couple of options for you, couple of lads I know do sessions in Markievicz pool during the week, I know for definite they train there on Wednesdays&Fridays at 6pm, I think they may train at other times also. Bert O Brien writes the sessions.

On the technique, either get a session booked with Swimcoach.ie or Base2race have an endless pool which they video you and give you pointers.

Now Swimcaoch.ie also does over head video shots,under water, side video also. Takes you out and runs through your stroke, and gives you video samples of drills/sessions you can do. Also doing land based training can help you greatly with your speed/endurance.

anyway hope some of this helps.

D33

Cheers Mad M, I'll def check the lads in Markievicz out (presume they're the masters sessions?) and might give swimcoach.ie a shot.

Do you know of any other Masters sessions that I could have a look at? I think there might be one in the ESB gym in Shelbourne Rd that I was going to check out

cheers again

mad m

D33 wrote: »

Cheers Mad M, I'll def check the lads in Markievicz out (presume they're the masters sessions?) and might give swimcoach.ie a shot.

Do you know of any other Masters sessions that I could have a look at? I think there might be one in the ESB gym in Shelbourne Rd that I was going to check out

cheers again

I think Dublin Swimming club train there, as I don't think ESB have a masters group anymore. It's called Sportco.

http://www.dublinswimmingclub.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39&Itemid=134

Carmelkayak

Hi there, yes Dublin Swimming Club have a coached session in Sportsco on Thursday nights from 9 to 10. They have a facebook page with more info - sorry I can't post links.

MojoMaker

Nickey Burke is the swim coach in the new Atlantis club based in the Markievicz pool - he's also behind www.swimkit.ie at the NAC if you're ever out that way he works in the shop most days - good guy for a chat about all things related to swimming in general.

jester1980

Hey, Belvedere swimming pool have a masters swimming session every morning at 7am, you cna use the pool from 6.45 - 8.30 if you want an extra set.

I joined these for 3 months befroe getting injured. So my 100 M time go from 1.55 to 1.35 and my 400 m time got from 8.30 to 6.58

Worth a look,

HobbyMan

I joined a masters group and was put in the slow group. Of course I wanted to be in the fast group so I worked at it until I was the slowest in the fast group. These days I'm one of the slowest in the fast group which is a good achievement since many of the swimmers are of an elite calibre for their age.

I'd also look at a few individual lessons and a doing a video session.

These 3 things will certainly improve your times.

I'll be doing all 3 this season again.

Ohhh.....and do some technique work in every session. Get balanced in the water.

redved

hi, would you mind me asking what kind of times you'd be going off for 100m, 200m etc.

Trying to get an idea if I should join a masters group and what level i'd be at

The other thing is I can only really swim front crawl, I imagine masters groups would cover all 4 strokes?

Thanks

HobbyMan

redved wrote: »

hi, would you mind me asking what kind of times you'd be going off for 100m, 200m etc.

Trying to get an idea if I should join a masters group and what level i'd be at

The other thing is I can only really swim front crawl, I imagine masters groups would cover all 4 strokes?

Thanks

To satisfy everyone in our group we usually do 50m on 60. If we want a faster session we might do them at 55 or occasionally at 50.

50 on 60 makes for an easy enough session but the 50 on 50 are killer for me as I only get a few seconds rest.

A session incorporates all 4 strokes however you can just do the one stroke if its the only stroke you know. You'll probably find that some of the group members can do the other strokes faster than you can front crawl. :eek:

The slower group would do 50's on 70 etc.

My group was back today but I was only in the pool with my 2 year old as I have a race tomorrow. Generally speaking the groups follow the school schedule.

Hope that helps.

redved

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for