Cunning Cone

More Cone chatter.

An international level swimmer said to me the other day, 'Your Cone thing; it doesn't work for me, I don't fit the model.'

'Oh yes,' said I, 'how don't you fit it?'

'My heart rate is way lower than it says it should be.'

'OK, let's try some tests during this set.'

The swimmer positioned a heart rate monitor on the deck and prepared to start the 100's. Stroke rate during the first rep fluctuated 31-36-32-35-32-34-31. During the rest interval he asked me to predict the HR using the poster. Studying the range of data I had for his swim I made an 'intelligent' guess of 160 (33 cycles per minute). 'No way,' he cried triumphantly, 'It's 153!'

'Yes, but your problem is you're inconsistent with your stroke rhythm. Let's try to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the swim.'

It was a descending set and it took him a few reps to gain the required control. On the last rep he stepped up well and swam a controlled, solid effort, holding 44 cycles throughout. A look of glee plastered itself on his face as he held the monitor to his chest.

'Come on, what does your Cone say that one was?' he gloated.

The model says 43 is 180 and 44 is 182 so I thought I'd hedge my bets.

'181.'

'His face dropped, 'That's way off,' he said.

'Oh yeah, what was it then?'

'182.'

The public apology to the whole group was accepted with grace :)