Today I got in the pool just before 7.30, and was getting out around 8.10, so around 40 mins or so for the 44 lengths.
I used to do about a length a minute, on average. But I've got faster, mostly from having shorter breaks between lengths and swimming a bit faster. I do mostly breast stroke, but a few lengths of front crawl were necessary today to overtake the old folks
I'm also at the point where I can't speed up much more unless I swap to front crawl. I am managing 30 lengths of breast stroke in 25-30 mins but am completely shattered afterwards. I don't think I could manage much longer in the pool and not sure if I could handle more than once per week.
The twice a week theory will be tested in the new year though, I agreed to help Stav train one day of the weekend for the swimming part of his triathlon.
chances are you'll get better doing it twice a week. i used to swim 3 times a week and got to 64 lengths in an hour in the pool(joys of flexi working meant i could have a 90 minute lunch just make up the extra time) when i had an hour i did 40 lengths in around 35 minutes or so.
couldn't do that now though! swimming is largely technique and doing none for 5 years(?) probably means mine will be shot to hell!
I wouldn't say my technique is fantastic but you don't completely forget it. I looked back through my LJ and found I started swimming again 6 months ago. My technique was shoddy, I could only swim a few lengths without stopping and was only managing 16 lengths. 6 months later and I don't stop at all (unless it means swimming into someone) and am managing 30-32 lengths, so you would pick it up quite quickly.
I struggled at first with my wrists - my technique on my arms was terrible and after about 12 or so lengths my wrists would be in agony.
I'm a little better now, but I still get lazy and don't do my arms entirely properly. I know I can go a lot faster if I do do it right though.
Jamie often complains about my swimming technique - he used to be a lifeguard, and did competition swimming for years, so he knows what he's talking about!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 10:45 am (UTC)I used to do about a length a minute, on average. But I've got faster, mostly from having shorter breaks between lengths and swimming a bit faster. I do mostly breast stroke, but a few lengths of front crawl were necessary today to overtake the old folks
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 11:13 am (UTC)The twice a week theory will be tested in the new year though, I agreed to help Stav train one day of the weekend for the swimming part of his triathlon.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 12:29 pm (UTC)i used to swim 3 times a week and got to 64 lengths in an hour in the pool(joys of flexi working meant i could have a 90 minute lunch just make up the extra time)
when i had an hour i did 40 lengths in around 35 minutes or so.
couldn't do that now though! swimming is largely technique and doing none for 5 years(?) probably means mine will be shot to hell!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 01:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 01:36 pm (UTC)I'm a little better now, but I still get lazy and don't do my arms entirely properly. I know I can go a lot faster if I do do it right though.
Jamie often complains about my swimming technique - he used to be a lifeguard, and did competition swimming for years, so he knows what he's talking about!
no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 02:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-13 02:30 pm (UTC)he was a very busy boy! the competition swimming/lifeguarding was before he got serious about the music, I think. you'd have to ask him.
I know he represented Wales in some lifeguarding competition. and he's saved at least two lives while working as a beach lifeguard :-)