what is a good 800 swim time?

[mon-goose]

I've been back in the pool for a few months now but haven't been training seriously until the last 3 week. I've been following a program I downloaded from the midmar mile website. Yesterday I did 2x800m pool swims with about 4min rest in between and recorded the times for both. I managed to swim faster on my second 800m than my first. But I was wondering what is a good average time for an 800m pool swim for someone that is still in the early stages of swimming.

 

My times were 16m49 and 16m34 respectively

[Kona Kula]

I can't help you with 800's but here is a link to a session of 400's i did. I am by no means a top swimmer. But at xterra I came out the water in 27 mins. That should give you an idea.

 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/165189871

[Carsten]

That is not bad times - just over a minute for a length in a olympic size swimming pool. That is around average for "normal" people.

[Mr SingleTrack]

5 minutes is a good time! is it possible? well that is another story

[jannosmit]

Jis you guys swim fast. I manage about 2min/100m, not fast but I train it non the less so that it doesn't kill me and be ready for the bike. Only thing that sucks is sitting behind slower mtb'er after a slow swim.

[Milkworx]

I've been back in the pool for a few months now but haven't been training seriously until the last 3 week. I've been following a program I downloaded from the midmar mile website. Yesterday I did 2x800m pool swims with about 4min rest in between and recorded the times for both. I managed to swim faster on my second 800m than my first. But I was wondering what is a good average time for an 800m pool swim for someone that is still in the early stages of swimming.

 

My times were 16m49 and 16m34 respectively

 

Not bad at all, in training I swim a 1.5k in about 30min (16min for 800)

And in the off road tri's I am normally in the fist half of the field on the swim.

[kennyg]

I work on a 45 second 50m in a 50m pool, for training, a 40 second 50m for trainig in a 25m. Thats a consistent lap, open water, in perfect conditions I look for something in that range.

 

This leads to a 21min to 22min open water in perfect conditions( 1500m), but normally a 23 to 24 is perfect for me.

[mon-goose]

Did 2x1000m this morning with a very short rest in between. Managed to do around 20m30s for each 1000m which I'm happy with for now. Must say I'm enjoying this training program I got and can see the results already

[Seeker911]

I have done 2 swims in the last month so with Bela Bela next week I decided to make sure I am still able.

 

I did 1500m in 36 minutes yesterday which included a few short pauses to adjust my cap and googles, catch my breath and ogle the hot babe in the lane next to me. According to my pool mate watch my average stroke count was 10 which in a 25m pool I think is good. Point is I could have done another 1500m quite easily and probably in an shorter time.

[Jigghead]

Did 1500m in 35mins the other day, I like to think I could break 30mins in open water (no turns, breaks etc.)

 

I'd be happy with those times.

 

I'm no pro tho.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Jigghead

[mon-goose]

Being following this progam now for 4 weeks. Getting my 100m times down, started out probably around 2m30 and down now to an average of 1m54 per 100m over 1600m which I think is alright for now. Best time was 1m30 for 100m. Total distance up to 3km last night and felt good.

[CAAD4]

Chad you should know better.... By the way, welcome to The Hub..

[vigilant]

Looks like some good progress is being made here mon-goose.

 

Keep the shorter repeat sets going and the overall time will drop.

 

Try a few broken sets where you swim for example 15-20 x 100m with 5-10 sec rest. Minus the rest time and see whats possible for your total time.

 

Note: All open water swimmers must be able to breathe to both sides effectively.Note:

[8848]

I believe that 2min / 100m is a good rule of thumb for average. anything faster than that is above average for a age grouper enthusiast when trainign in a pool.

 

however I find that I swim slower than that in a short triathlon dues to be slowed down by crowds, treading water and so on. and I swim slightly faster than that in a longer triathlon as once the initial chaos subsides, you can get into a decent rythym and not have to turn every 25m.

[mon-goose]

so at the end of 6 weeks I've got my average 100m time down from 2m05 to 1m40 over 1600m, including some sprints and short rests between sets.

 

Has anyone else got some good training programs. I've got 5 weeks left on this one and then I need to step it up but can't find anything

[JGR]

Ryk is working with VA and they have some programs on their webste aimed at different levels..