We look at a couple of case studies which address a couple of topics. Namely, the volume (or lack there of) ‘needed’ to excel in endurance sport and the value of consistency.
Quality and effectiveness of training stimulus should be the measure of success… Not simply how ‘much’ (or little) you do!
Case Study One – Jamie Edwards (Coach)
In years past Jamie would swim 4-5 times a week including a need to swim some ‘5km sets’… He’d get to the point where he could swim several (up to 20) 100s on a 125 or even 120 repeat.
Despite this swim ability he would routinely swim 28/29min half Ironman splits. Circa 130 pace.
Fast forward to the 2019/2020 season and his first for a couple of years. He swum 2-3 times a week consistently and have recorded 28, 27 and 27min swim splits in three half Ironman races.
Return on investment was higher and my swim splits were faster… there’s something in that.
Case study Two – Ryley Pasquali
When we first started working with Ryley he swum in our ‘most pedestrian’ lane at swim squad at circa 145-150 per 100 pace.
He then had some recurring shoulder issues that led us to change his swim stroke to suit his anatomy.
Over the space of 18months Ryley progressed through the lanes at swimming to the point where he is leading the fastest lane and has completed two half iron distance races with sub 26min swims in both events.
Ryley has routinely swum three times a week as an average and ‘only’ swimming 7-10km per week.
Again, a great ROI and an impressive progression!
#Consistency #Improvement #Progression