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swim volume and improvement
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 2005-05-25 10:26 AM |
Elite Veteran  777    flatland |  Subject: swim volume and improvementI know, I know you can't improve at swimming by just going out there and repeating the same mistakes. I just upped my swim volume pretty dramatically, and have actually slowed down. Is this normal? I'm doing between 2:19/100yds (good day) and 2:26/100yds (very bad day). No matter what I do I can't seem to break below 2:19...and I'm torn between wanting to get faster and my love of just swimming for yardage. I would classify myself as an intermediate swimmer...my legs don't sink, I don't over-kick, I don't get tired doing 2000m nonstop...I'm just really slow. Yes, I've read the TI book and seen the sample videos on their site. I try to incorporate the suggestions into my swim, but I don't drill...hate it. Is there anybody who has improved their swim thru volume and focus on swimming well, rather than drilling? Or do I have to break down and do some drills? Would individual coaching help me at this point, or going out with the local tri club...or can I do this on my own and improve, if I'm willing to focus? I guess I just want somebody to kick me in the arse and tell me I'll stay slow forever if I don't change what I'm doing...and I want to be convinced, because I'm not currently. |
| 2005-05-25 10:45 AM in reply to: #163141 |
Extreme Veteran 404 Chicago, Il | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement It isn't drilling that has helped me but intervals. I started out with just 50 repeats with ~15-20 seconds rest between each lap. I did about 8 the first time I started and about wanted to die. Now I'm up to 4 x 100 on the 2:10, a minute or two rest and then 6 x 50 on the 1:10. Then I do the whole thing over. This has dropped my 500 yard time by over a minute in the last couple months. I do one speed session and one distance session of swimming each week. |
| 2005-05-25 10:49 AM in reply to: #163141 |
Master 1670 Harvard, Illinois | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement I was a competitive swimmer throughout my youth and now that I'm in my 30's I still go back to the principles I was taught back then. If you want to swim fast you have to "try" to swim fast. We use to do sprints all the time whether they be 50's or 25's. Have you tried doing any sprint work? If you do pay attention to your technique it will break down quickly as you tire. My coach always told us he didn't care how long it took us to swim something, just get it done. I can remember some days where I was just exhausted trying to finish the workouts. I felt as though I was going backwards. You can also split up your distance in your workouts. Do a ladders. 1 x 100, 1 x 200, 1 x 300, 1 x 400, 1 x 300, 1 x200, 1 x 100. These can help to. Don't get discouraged because you swim faster one day and not fast another. There are so many factors involved dont worry about it. Just try to finish what you have planned. Mike |
| 2005-05-25 12:40 PM in reply to: #163141 |
Elite Veteran 777 flatland | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement I have tried to do intervals...but usually what happens is I swim harder (arms move faster, legs move spastically) and don't increase my speed at all. Clearly, that's a big problem, but I'm stumped on what to do about it other than get somebody to watch me and tell me what's up. Thanks. Edited by madeye 2005-05-25 12:55 PM |
| 2005-05-25 12:53 PM in reply to: #163258 |
Pro 3870 Virginia Beach, VA | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement That's exactly what you should do. Find a good masters coach or at the very least someone who has been swimming distance a long time to critique your stroke. It's so hard to know what you're doing wrong if you can't see yourself. It is also helpful to have someone video you swimming so you can actually see it. It's well worth spending some cash on a few sessions with a coach. madeye - 2005-05-25 12:40 PM I have tried to do intervals...but usually what happens is I swim harder (arms move faster, legs move spatically) and don't increase my speed at all. Clearly, that's a big problem, but I'm stumped on what to do about it other than get somebody to watch me and tell me what's up. Thanks. |
| 2005-05-25 1:20 PM in reply to: #163141 |
Expert 1180 Iowa | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement If your endurance is fine then it's not cardio related. If your legs aren't sinking then I'll assume your body position is good. That leaves the pull. We know that 90% of swim power is from the pull, ergo there might be a problem with your pull. Make sure you're reaching out. Make a nice even sweep of the entire forearm - not just your hand - across your body, and make sure you finish the pull all the way back to your hips. Think of your hand and forearm as a paddle. It's amazing what that simple thought can do for your power compared to just focusing on what your hand is doing. Good luck! |
| 2005-05-25 1:34 PM in reply to: #163295 |
Elite Veteran 777 flatland | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement triman50 - 2005-05-25 1:20 PM That leaves the pull. We know that 90% of swim power is from the pull, ergo there might be a problem with your pull. Is this something that swimming with closed fists can help? I suspect my kick is weak too, but like you said, if my pull is bad then that's a huge part of the problem. TH3, I think I'm going to have to take your suggestion about a coach and filming underwater. I know what's in my head, and a few key things (like that my legs don't sink), but yeah, I have no idea what I really look like underwater. Probably like a harpooned seal. :P |
| 2005-05-25 2:13 PM in reply to: #163141 |
Expert 623 Wye Mills, MD | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement I second the intervals. If you want to |
| 2005-05-25 2:32 PM in reply to: #163141 |
| , Alabama | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement Technique is everything in swimming. Even if it doesn't look pretty above the water, it's what goes on under the water that counts. I just had my master's coach tell me this morning that my head rocks back and forth like Stevie Wonder when I swim! I don't feel it, it just does it. Someone else's point of view is a great idea, but a video so that you can actually SEE what they are talking about is even better. Sharon |
| 2005-05-25 5:02 PM in reply to: #163141 |
Pro 3906 St Charles, IL | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement To quote a sage "There is no easy way". You're going to have to break down and do the drills if you want to improve. Sorry, but your chances of improving technique without doing any drills are slim to none. You might get there if you tape yourself and get it analyzed, but drills are done precisely to reinforce the correct technique. Do the drills. There is no easy way. Once you have technique down, then start doing interval sets ( while keeping good technique! ). -Chris |
| 2005-05-25 5:11 PM in reply to: #163141 |
Expert 1180 Iowa | Subject: RE: swim volume and improvement Yes, closed-fist drills will help give you the feel you're looking for. And as has been said, intervals lead to speed. Good luck! Edited by triman50 2005-05-25 5:12 PM |
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