30 minute swimming plateau
For the moment, I seem to be stuck at doing 1000 meters in 30 minutes. I’ve consistently swam my kilometer in 30 minutes for about the last three weeks or so. And that’s a-ok with me since a few months ago I was in a panic trying to swim just one fifty meter length and now I can do twenty lengths without stopping.
My plateau is partly based on endurance, and partly based on skill – or rather, a lack of skill. The good news? Both elements can be worked on and improved.
Lately, I’ve been questioning whether I have really been doing 1000 meters in 30 minutes. You see, I am not very good at math – especially when doing a physically challenging activity so I was starting to wonder if I had been counting laps wrong or something.
So this Saturday to give myself piece of mind, I carefully noted the time on the clock when I started (7:28 AM) and carefully counted my laps. The result was thankfully what I expected: Twenty lengths (1000 meters) in 30 minutes. Whew!
I also wanted to see what my top-end speed was so I started out hard and fast. Normally, I go out a bit slow and pour it on near the end.
How did I do? Well, even with changing my starting speed, I still finished in thirty minutes (I really had to hang on!) but I actually surprised myself in how fast I was able to go for the first two laps/four lengths – a lap being two 50 meter lengths.
Lap #1 – Two minutes.
Lap #2 – Two and a half minutes.
Lap #3 – No comment. 
Lap #4 to 10 – After catching my breath, better than lap #3 but slower than laps #1 and #2.
So, if I interpret correctly, my endurance is probably a bigger issue than my skill since if I was able to maintain my first lap speed, I’d be doing all ten laps in 20 minutes. Does that logic make sense to you?
Anyway, I’m happy.
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Here is a picture of the place I swim – Coronation Pool:
The walls are all glass. You would not believe how beautiful the swimming pool shimmers when the sun is streaming in there. It almost makes you enjoy making splashes with your arms since it produces bubbles and sparkles in the water. It’s very enjoyable.
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~ What a beautiful place to swim! 
Monday May 02, 2005 @
You’re doing awesome! It’s interesting to read about your venturing from running to swimming, whereas I feel like I’m doing the opposite transition. The endurance required for each is just so completely different, it seems. And you chose a great pool!