Actually, 5000 yd in 1:20 is a 1:36/100 yd pace. 80 min/50 = 1.6 min or 1:36.
hetron wrote:
Pre covid, I was swimming 4-5 times a week for about 4.25 hrs max.
My last swim was 5000 yds in 1:20 holding a 1:26 100 yd pace. Covid hit and they shut down the pool. Took a week for me to open mine. I started tether swim building from 3x45 min to now 4x1hr. Last weekend I raced a local sprint tri and came 3rd out of water. 11:20 something for 800 meters. So the tether swimming does help. I think it maintains any fitness you may have, but it'll be hard to build any fitness.
Few things I have learned:
1. The longer your tether, the less harsh the tether will be. Its simple spring physics. Myosource sells an extension that can lengthen your tether and it can attach to anything.
2. You're not moving relative to the water, so there's no wake/pocket to breathe out of. So you'll need a snorkel if you want to keep the same head position and not over rotate. I recommend the finis monosnorkel.
3. This is great time to work on your stroke. Specifically, get one of those cheap wall mirrors and place it on the bottom of the pool and watch your stroke. See how your hand is entering. Are you rotating on your side? Are you crossing over or pulling too wide? Dropping your elbow?
4. Again, you're not moving relative to the water. So pulling water is going to be tougher. But if you go long enough, you may be able to make a small current. I can feel a difference from the beginning to end of the workout.
5. Lastly, not sure how long your pool is. My is 12 yards which means I can get 8 strokes before I hit a wall. But to break up the boredom, I warm up and cool down 5 min back and forth. Also, any kick set is back and forth.
Hope this helps.
"Anyone can be who they want to be IF they have the HUNGER and the DRIVE."