Swimming

[gradnojob]

I've looked through previous posts but couldn't see much mention of swimming as part of training for POC or PRMC, havn't been training for a bit, and never used swimming as part of it before, so what would anybody recommend? How far should i be able to swim, how fast, do i need to bother really? Any tips for methods of training other than endless lengths?
Cheers

[gradnojob]

Yeah sorry, should have been a bit clearer, I know about the swim test at POC and PRMC, i was looking for advice on incorporating swimming into my general fitness regime. How much i should be doing and how i should progress.

[joshualoftus]

Hey mate,
I usually swim every second day, but thats probably easier to do in Australia than it is in the UK (weather, less pools). Most days I swim about 1KM (20 laps of an olympic pool), and I alternate between freestyle and breast stroke. If you're just starting out with regular swimming you'll probably find 1km to be a bit much, so just start out swimming continuously for say half an hour, count how many laps you do, then just try and build upon that each time you swim. I wouldn't worry too much about speed at this point as I find a constant steady pace to be more effective. Occasionally I'll swim "fartlek" style, i.e. going balls out for say 1 lap out of 4, the others done at a nice constant pace. You'll find once you get into a routine of swimming you will improve very quickly.
Best of luck,
Josh.

[ajcee867]

i do pyramid swims twice a week. swimming was always something i was very good at. if you enjoy swimming its a great way to do some good exercise. try and get yourself up to 1-2km. also it makes a good change from running, no impact on those bones