So how does one do tempo in the pool that replicates the movement patterns of running? Do you “run” from the shallow to the deep part? At some point, you start to lose contact with the bottom of the pool!
Or do you use one of those flotation belts and just cycle your legs through?
XCLR8,
As you mentioned you can stay in the deep end with a water belt on and either cycle through, or you can add some resistance by tying some rubber tubing to the edge to the belt.
You can run “on the spot” at shoulder depth. the guideline is to watch the intensity. there is a very fine line, where the intensity rises to the point that it can interfere with sprint work.
Thanks, dlive and Charlie but that was my next question. If you are running in the water or even on one spot in the pool, how to you judge intensity?
When I run tempo on the field, I have a tendency to want to run too fast (it feels <i>good</i> to run fast!) But I can use a stopwatch to make sure I’m metering my runs. In the pool I would not have this type of feedback to help me out. Any ideas?
xlr8
PS. As you can tell by my sudden interest in this subject, the weather in my area is going from bad to worse. We are looking at another 6 - 12" of snow tonight and I don’t know when I’m going to see the beautiful sight of a clear track again.