The winters here are long (usually too cold for outdoor swimming from late sept/early oct until mid to late may, some years even early june). The only 2 indoor pools that exist here are the small hotel-pool type. So that’s what I have to work with in the winter. Last winter I just basically said “screw it, I’ll work hard in the spring” but this year I want to keep the swim work going as much as possible through the winter. I’m very comfy in the water. I’ve been a whitewater kayaker for years which has helped me become aggressive, during unplanned swims in a nasty rapid you get where you need to be or you might be dead, but I’m a sloppy swimmer and slow. My plan is to attempt to find someone to work with at least once every couple weeks just to keep me in line but assuming the worst case situation, that I can’t find anyone, I’d appreciate some tips, ideas, advice, smartass comments, etc. from the ST swim club. I’d especially like some ideas on how to get the most out of such a small pool. I said I’d take smartass comments but just to save some time “Drive to a better pool” is not an option. I live in a very small, remote town and it’s a 4 1/2 to 5 hour drive to the nearest cities that have decent pools so that won’t be happening.
I’ve tried some stationary swimming over the last few days. Fairly “realistic” feel. You should be able to do something similar in any small pool with some rope and an old tube. I’m in NJ and thinking I can go until November, using a wetsuit when things cool down. It gets a little boring and you have no idea of pace, but it beats going to the Y at 5:30am.
If you’ve got the $$$$ & the willingness to haul it around (& get permission from the hotel), there’s always the Fastlane from Endless Pools (http://www.endlesspools.com/fastlane/whatis/index.html)
When travelling I’ve used surgical tubing around my feet & then tied off to a ladder to swim in place. I alternate between swimming with the tubing & then holding onto the wall kicking.
It’s a cheap version of the swim tether. Otherwise, you’ll be really good at doing flip turns.
Technique is the most effective thing to focus on in small pool: you can’t get the same aerobic training effect as you would in larger pools. This is simply because tumble turns interrupt you and let you arms rest - in an o/w race, you don’t get this chance (usually). You can still train, but not quite as effectively. Doing drills etc is slower, and is not dependent on no turns etc, so you get better bang for your buck on these in smaller pools - in general, it depends how good your swimming is.
Tethered swimming - ouch!
You should get some swim cords…good exercises here: