Lately I have been thinking about relative pace. What is the swimming equivalent of running at a seven minute pace for a 10K or longer? What is the swimming equivalent of running at a six minute pace for a 10K or more?

While I have not swam as fast relative to my running pace twenty years ago, I am getting an idea of how fast “fast” is in distance swimming relative to running.

Here is what I perceive relative pace to be when comparing running to swimming.

Running pace per mile Swimming pace per 50 yards Swimming distance covered in one hour

5:00 minute miles 40 second fifties 4500 yards! – like top ten

6:00 minute miles 50 seconds fifties 3600 yards! – like racing

7:00 minute miles 60 second fifties 3000 yards – like running

8:00 minute miles 70 second fifties 2570 yards – like jogging

9:00 minute miles 80 second fifties 2250 yards – like slow jogging

10:00 minute miles 90 second fifties 2000 yards – faster than walking

FYI – American record holders for One Hour Swim average around a 30 second pace for 50 yards for an hour.

Gary Brinkman 6135 yards in 1985

Vera Baker 5700 yards in 1981

Tiffany Cohen 5700 yards in 1981

Why is it that these swimming distance records have held for so long?

Like running, many people can jump in the pool and swim fast for a short distance. It takes good technique to swim for an hour at a steady pace. Without good technique breathing is an issue and the effort required is greater than it needs to be.

And pace is relative too. Twenty years ago I ran at a sub six minute pace when training under two hours. Today, I would be happy to run at an eight minute pace for an hour. Yet the pleasure of having done the workout is the same today and my injuries are fewer and farther apart.

Find your pace, swim your pace and enjoy your swims!