My good friend, the ~47 year old fat, beer-drinking, ex-distance swimmer turned cyclist, does 100x100yds every December. Here’s his report for this year. Note: no breaks anywhere, straight swim. Also note: that 42x100 is an IM swim in 56:00 after doing 5,000yds.
20x100s 1:30 warm-up, stretch, one-arm, drills, etc
10x100s 1:30 back
20x100s 1:30 alternate 100s of IM with free
42x100s 1:20 free (almost all 1:10-1:12)
10x100s 1:30 swim down, try to snake on the lifeguard, etc
I was pretty happy with the above, esp since I started to hack at about
50, and I didn’t completely blow up near the end. I gave up on the 1:20
interval after I pulled a 1:14 and was hacking. I completely forgot to
do any pull or paddle-pull. I also forgot I was wearing a drag suit
until I hit 40. Next year I may add some kicking w/ fins.
There’s just something about 100’s in general that scare me. Not short enough to go all out, not long enough to take it easy. The thought of doing more than 20 in a row strikes fear in me! I really do want to find a place on my birthday to do 28 on 1:30. Unfortunately nothing is really open on the 31st for me
100- that’s crazy. It amazes me that someone who is out of shape can pound that out. I’d hate to be his shoulders the next day!
100- that’s crazy. It amazes me that someone who is out of shape can pound that out. I’d hate to be his shoulders the next day!
Jodi
It is possible to be fat and in great swimming condition simultaneously. My friend Steve is such an example (he’s about 5’10", 210 lbs of love). His lung capacity, however, is nearly 50% greater than mine, he’s been swimming forever (at one point, he held every KY state high school freestyle record, I think), and he’s killed off enough brain cells to be able to tolerate any kind of training.
Since he’s a cyclist I’m sure he has the engine. I’m always amazed at how many overweight people can kick some serious booty on a bike. Gets frustrating at races sometimes!
Since he’s a cyclist I’m sure he has the engine. I’m always amazed at how many overweight people can kick some serious booty on a bike. Gets frustrating at races sometimes!
Jodi
Heck, no! He still swims a lot, but just for “fun” (and to help support his beer habit).
As soon as the road tilts upwards, he’s toast (unless it’s a short hill).
…and I’m still insane from the experience - I get chills just typing it. I still have nightmares about that damn beeping pace clock our coach set for us that day. Physically I could probably do 100x100 (much slower these days), but mentally it absolutely would kill me.
My hat’s off to your friend for having the drive and focus to do this set at his age.
My masters group does an annual New Years Eve swim of 100+ x 100 on 1:30. This year we are up to 106 x 100’s. Sounds like it would be boring but we turn it into a party. We have some lanes where older/slower folks can do 75’s or even a 50 to catch their breath. When we start feeling wiped we might even throw on some fins. It is really more an event than a workout and we have a guilt free pig out session afterward.
Back in college we used to have a big end of the year practice while on our training trip in Florida. We did 98 x 200’s on New Year’s Eve 2007. Our coach was crazy.
