Can't Swim Slow Enough

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2007-04-05 3:53 PM

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Subject: Can't Swim Slow Enough
Last season I got my swim times "down" to 2:00/100. I am a poor swimmer who has resorted to reading and surfing the web for videos of "proper" form. I know I would benefit from a swim clinic or a coach but my schedule is too erratic to really line something like that up right now.

One area of improvement this year is that I think I have really improved my pull. I was a "windmill" swimmer last year and I know I have made progress because last year my arms were never sore. Now my arms get tired by the end of a 2000 yard workout and my muscles tend to be soar the next day. I am getting winded because of the extra effort associated with a proper pull.

A normal person would slow down in order to stay in a desired HR Zone but when I attempt to slow down my form goes to he11 and my legs sink. The drag created by my sunken legs makes the effort difficult and my heart rate does not go down ... what can I do to slow down and get my heart rate down?



2007-04-05 4:24 PM
in reply to: #750616

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Can't Swim Slow Enough
Try and work on the glide...that will slow you down along with just slightly slowing your turnover.

2007-04-05 4:56 PM
in reply to: #750616

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Subject: RE: Can't Swim Slow Enough
Something to try:

50 with a pull buoy - feel your position in the water and focus on your pull
50 swim - focus on swimming in the same position with the same pull - if your legs are sinking concentrate on pushing down on your chest - this can help to raise your legs.
Repeat this 10 times to help with your feel of proper body position in relation to your pull.

Beyond that, although you mention schedule difficulties, even if you could meet with a swim coach for a half hour every two to three weeks you would probably benefit greatly from the one on one feedback.

Shane

Edited by gsmacleod 2007-04-05 4:57 PM
2007-04-05 5:11 PM
in reply to: #750616

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Subject: RE: Can't Swim Slow Enough
I'm not an experienced swimmer, but I think balance drills (without fins) would help you.
2007-04-05 5:44 PM
in reply to: #750701

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Subject: RE: Can't Swim Slow Enough
camy - 2007-04-05 3:11 PM

I'm not an experienced swimmer, but I think balance drills (without fins) would help you.


Ditto... This is a guess. Maybe your driving arm needs to go deeper into the water to balance out your sinking legs. Have you seen that freebie Total Immersion video about hand position? "Joe" the tall swimmer with sinky legs has to extend his hand to "4 o clock position" to offset his legs, and to create proper balance.

Edited by robin314159 2007-04-05 5:45 PM
2007-04-05 8:22 PM
in reply to: #750616

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Subject: RE: Can't Swim Slow Enough

Work on the glide at the beginning of the stroke, and body/head position in the water. It might be that you hold your head too high and that forces your legs downward. (A fault of my own i am working on correcting.)

Also, balance drills and working on kicking JUST enough to keep your legs up at the surface might be helpful. Usually, during the stroke phase you shouldn't need to kick much, but dring the recovery (and before you start your other stroke) you might need a few kicks there.

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