Subject: RE: Total Immersion To answer the question, If you haven't done any TI drills yet, I would start at the beginning and get the easy freestyle book, and whatever accompanying DVD goes with it. A good efficient swim stroke is what you need, no matter what type of race you are training for.
If it weren't for TI, I wouldn't be doing triathlons. I read the book and watched the videos and did the drills faithfully. It was tough doing drills with other people splashing all around me probably thinking what an idiot I looked like, but after 3 months, I was able to start working out with the masters group.
As for coaching, the first time I asked an "EXPERIENCED" swim coach to look at my stroke, he told me my head was too far in the water, and that the waterline should be just above my goggles. Anyone familiar with TI knows that this goes against the methoidology, and that there should only be a sliver of the back of the head breaking the surface as you look straight down. This helps balance your body. If you don't think this is correct, try swimming a lap with your head completely out of the water, and note where your legs are.
Our current masters coach uses a lot of the TI drills, as well as others. True it is that TI doesn't teach much about hand entry and the pull, but if your hips are sinking, and your body is low in the water, it doesn't matter how good your hand entry or pull are.
Best of luck in your Ironman. |