Swimming Set of the Week - December 24, 2010

 An old favorite:  The 12 Sets of Christmas

This set was invented by my swim buddies in Wooster, OH.  They do it every year on December 24th, and my Masters team has done it for the last 7 years.   You can actually sing the set; it scans to the tune of  "The 12 Days of Christmas"...you know...

12 drummers drumming
11 pipers piping
10 lords a leaping
9 ladies dancing
8 maids a milking
7 swans a swimming
6 geese a laying
5 golden rings
4 calling birds
3 French hens
2 turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree

The 12 Sets of Christmas:  1650 yards/meters
Twelve 25s drilling                              (300; swimmers take turns choosing the drill)
Eleven lengths no stopping              (275; choice of stroke/equipment)
Ten strokes of freestyle                      (25; take only 10 strokes for 25 yards/meters)
Nine flipper 50s                                   (450; freestyle with fins on SHORT rest interval)
Eight breaths for 50                            (50 free; space out your breaths)
Seven strokes of breaststroke          (25 breast in 7 strokes, then 25 fly in 7 strokes)
Six 50s IM                                             (300; w/ fins 2 X [Fly/Back...Back/Breast...Breast/Free])
Five lengths of kicking                       (125; choice, finish in the far end of the pool)
Four minutes med ball                       (form a group of 4-5 swimmers and pass a med ball for 4 minutes)
Three sprints choice                          (75; 3 X 25 choice, ALL OUT)
Two lengths of scull                           (50; choice of scull)
And a silent swim to cool yourself down    (50; choice)

Happy Holidays, everyone, and best wishes for fast swimming in 2011!