Why are my swim times faster when the pool is set up for 25 meters than when it’s set up for 50 meters? Is the extra flip-turn-push-off speeding me along that much faster? I’m usually 3 seconds faster in the 25 meter direction, strange??
Dave from VA
Sure, you are accelerating faster out of the flip turn. Also, the flip turn provides for a slight rest after 25 meters when you usually would only get one after 50.
-kb
yep, thats pretty much it… you get alot more rest in a 25 m pool, and even more in a 25 yard pool… if you flip turn, you arn’t stroking until you get out past the flags, thats 3 m? off the wall, so thats work you arn’t doing yourself, as well you accelerate into a turn, and are faster coming off it.
I find i’m about 3-5 sec slower in a 50 m pool, but weirdly enough, I’ve PB’d for a distance in a LC pool, still can’t figure that one out…
David
Back of the envelope calculations, there’s a 1.5-3.5% drop in time for same distance when you go from long course meters to short course meters. (least that’s the general factor range US swimming uses for converting times depending on gender and event) As usual, the exact drop varies from person to person. If you’re a good turner, you get a bit more, weak turner or weak kicker you get less of a benefit from short course.