August 2007 Swim Training CHAT

author : Tri Swim Coach

comments : 0

Discussion on sinking hips, balance drills, open water freak-out, best breathing for open water swimming and head position.

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[Tri Swim Coach] Let's hear about your swimming struggles tonight!

[trixie] I can't tread water, and I have no endurance, and my butt sinks. How's that for some struggles?

[Tri Swim Coach] Sinking is because you're not balanced.  Practice the basic drills: kicking on your side and shark fin drill.  Use Zoomers fins for these drills at first.

[trixie] I LOVE zoomers, but then I freak when I take them off cause I'm so slow and then I go hypoxic and sink.

[Tri Swim Coach] Back to the Zoomers question, when to take them off: don't worry about that at this point. Now is the time to work on your balance, you will know when it's time to go fin-less.

[betsy] Hey coach, what is the best way to settle yourself after you begin to do the OWS freak out?

[Tri Swim Coach] 1) BREATHE!, 2) get back into your stroke rhythm, put your head down, and glide with each stroke. If you can follow someone from right behind, this will help.

[betsy] I have trouble drafting...I can never find the right pace

[Tri Swim Coach] Try to start to the outside and not with the crowd.  Drafting: directly behind is ideal, a little to the left or right is okay, but try not to get kicked!
 

[betsy] Ok coach, should I breath every 2nd or 3rd stroke in a race? In the pool I breath every 3rd or 5th.

[Tri Swim Coach] Ideally, every 3rd- it will help with swimming straight, navigating, and balancing your stroke.  BUT, if one side is significantly weaker than the other to breathe on, do what WORKS

[Tri Swim Coach] Let me hear everyone's top 2 challenges in swimming? Breathing is usually the top one I hear. It goes back to the drills- kicking on your side and the shark fin drill are where you will build up your balance in the water.  Breathing will then come easier. Sighting also requires practice in a pool. Pop your eyes above water, peak, then roll to take a breath. Just make sure your head is down, eyes looking at the pool bottom.

[kaqphin] How does that translate to the open water? I keep being told my problem is I have a pool swimmers stroke.... is that an issue?
 

[Tri Swim Coach] It's the same. You want to look down as you swim, even though you will be sighting. It will save your energy from having to kick hard to keep your hips up.

[jcbolton] Should your head position stay inline with your body...every time I try to really focus on the bottom of the pool I tuck my chin...is this bad?
 

[Tri Swim Coach] Try not to actually tuck your chin. Ideally, a little of the back of your head should be above the water's surface.

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date: September 25, 2007