Offering up the scenario for context to the development team…
I will admit to being a lazy swimmer. I get to the pool mostly to ensure that I can complete the requisite race distance at minimally mediocre pace: max 2 sessions per week, generally following one of the planned workouts (with the exception of any equipment-related steps).
Earlier in the year, I had been using Garmin’s HR Swim belt to record HR while swimming, but even at its tightest it slips and otherwise is generally uncomfortable, so I switched to Forerunner 955 only. HR from the latter generally is inaccurate in my experience.
Skipped a few weeks in the pool due to back issues (likely cause by poor form in the pool, which I eventually may seek to address via local coaching).
Details provided as I received this update post my pool session yesterday: .
Seems an aggressive and seemingly off-target change for a threshold rate, though I can appreciate the “stick to the plan” admonishment!
Running changes may well be appropriate, though they seem to have been bouncing around a bit lately.
If I am reading them correctly, noticing in my 6-week and 3-month swimming pace profiles all pace maximums are associated with one “open water” swim, which was me floating in the water at the beach, along with some running back/forth on the beach (had to get the Garmin “time to swim” badge!). I will delete this session to see how the curves change.
No data after ~23 minutes for both, which seems odd, given the number of within-session intervals of longer duration.
You can skip them as you can see, which I do often for swim workouts as I am so inconsistent. I really only accept my zone changes if it was from race data, or a specific session I followed exactly (in terms of RPE).
BTW, if you really want HR data while swimming, nothing beats Form 2 goggles that have a HR sensor as part of the goggle so it presses against your temple. I’ve found those readings the best so far (I’ve tried the others you had).
Yep. Basically the approach so far. What I have not been doing is the “injury/choose another discipline” approach Marjaana mentioned in another post.
On the goggles…interesting that you like them. Heard mixed reviews (goggle fit naturally seems as personal as bike fit…). Either way, with my technique…not sure I’m worth the extra spend!
Another vote for the Form goggles. Real game changer for my swimming having accurate heart rate, pace, distance, etc. available in the heads up display. Great also for open water swimming when connected to a Garmin watch. Would be great if Athletica would sync swim workouts to Form like one can do with TrainingPeaks. Tagging @Prof on this request.
@SoCal1x one of our team members have noticed some errors in Garmin data and is investigating this. Seems many may be affected. Will get back to you on this.
@SoCal1x budget aside, I am not a great swimmer at all, but it has built in “Head Coach”, which coaches you while you swim on head pitch and roll, as well as showing your stroke rate etc.
The head position in swimming has such a huge effect on the balance of the rest of your body, since using the goggles and working on head position and keeping my stroke rate slightly higher (I had a very slow cadence thinking I was being more “streamlined”, instead I was creating dead spots), I have knocked off 10s/100m.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still slow, just not quite “maybe he is drowning?” slow.
The goggles for me fit great (there are multiple nose pieces to try), only thing I will say is they fog up a little too much for me to use them in race conditions.
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