huskyboy's Group - FULL (Page 3)

Check out this thread:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=63531&posts=4&start=1

I used BT2007 for a 20% discount, but it supposedly expired 12/31 and was also supposedly only for renewals, but it might still work...

About Total Immersion - I bought the book and started teaching myself to swim 2 years ago. What I got from the book was basically some general ideas - rotation, balance, rhythm, and keeping a "long vessel" (keeping your body stretched out through the water). I did not do the drills for any length of time. I did get the dvd and it definitely helped to illustrate what they were talking about in the book, but I still did not really stick with their progression (zipperskate, underswitch, all that stuff).

What probably helped me more was going to an actual swim clinic (they had underwater cameras and collegiate coaches) and getting some more direct feedback on what I was doing wrong.  The coaches there were very focused on teaching everyone that swimming fast has nothing to do with arm strength and how hard you can pull the water, but much more about core strength and rotational strength.  Putting in the longer swim workouts while training for ironman also helped to speed me up.

As far as speed goes, I've gone from over 2:00 per 100 yards down to about 1:30-1:40 per 100 in sprint races (5-600 yard swim). Still not fast by swimmer standards, but I'm pretty happy with it - I can at least stay close enough to the fish that I can catch them on the bike or the run . 

For what it's worth, there is a rule of thumb batted around here that says until you get under 19 minutes for a 1000 yard swim, you should focus more on technique and less on pure speed.  So they might suggest that since Bob can hold a good pace at this point, that getting faster for him would involve more speed intervals (for example 10 x 100 at 1:30 each, with 10 seconds rest in between), while for others doing drills and focusing on form and efficiency would reap the greatest gains. I think the idea would be that if you are a slower swimmer, that doing speed work would only reinforce bad habits. It's very similar to running in that regard - speed work should not be considered until a long period of aerobic base building has occurred and the person's form and efficiency has been maximized. As one coach put it, "speedwork is the icing on the cake, and you don't have a cake yet."

You guys are doing a great job all around - keep up the great work!

Double post...

Keep up the good work guys - the trick is to survive those nasty weeks without getting too down on your self, then picking right back up with the good habits and workouts.