General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Total Immersion Rss Feed  
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2009-10-09 9:05 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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South Orange
Subject: Total Immersion
Lookig for feedback on which Total Immersion video would be best for someone who is training for an Ironman in July and sucks in the pool? Thanks in advance.


2009-10-12 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2451451

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Elite
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Alturas, California
Subject: RE: Total Immersion
I would go to a 2 day clinic, if you have the $$.  It is hard to translate body position to the video unless you can tape yourself swimming and have someone give you some feedback. 
2009-10-14 9:09 AM
in reply to: #2451451

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Subject: RE: Total Immersion

I am training for IM Cozumel (just over 6 weeks away).  I did a HIM in June and was slow in the water (my swim time was 44:00).  Since then I started reading TI and watching some TI videos. This has given me a great boost, both in terms of speed and level of exhertion. Yesterday I swam 4000 yds in about 1:18 and felt very fresh afterward.  This is a huge milestone for me and I thought I would never get there.  

I say, try it it out, even if you only go away with a few new ideas, it will be a help.  I also found that pushing myself through big yardage weeks (13,000+) paid significant dividends. It wasn't overly pleasant, but it feels great now.   

2009-10-14 9:45 AM
in reply to: #2451451

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: Total Immersion
The best would be to find somebody to coach you 'live' (TI or not) and swim a lot.
2009-10-14 9:58 AM
in reply to: #2451451

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Total Immersion
I would vote for regularly swimming with a coach on deck as opposed to a one time workshop.

Shane
2009-10-14 11:13 AM
in reply to: #2451451

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Regular
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Des Moines, IA
Subject: RE: Total Immersion
I tried TI, but just couldn't ever get into it and that was likely my fault. I did take away several drills and a mental map of how I should be performing my stroke. Unfortunately that doesn't equate to a good stroke. I was recently convinced to try Swim Smooth and I received my DVD's and CD yesterday. Pretty excited to try it out. From the looks of it, it appears like a much more robust package than TI, but obviously the jury is out on what it'll do for my swimming.

If you're interested in it, check the site out: http://www.swimsmooth.com/index.html

I do agree with previous posters in that having a real coach work with you would be ideal.

Good luck!


2009-10-14 11:30 AM
in reply to: #2451451

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Subject: RE: Total Immersion
As a very new swimmer, I did the TI weekend workshop and it took me to the next level with my swimming. That said, I was still not very fast or efficient - masters swim with a coach and other people in my lane is what truly made the difference in improving my swim.
2009-10-14 11:44 AM
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Subject: RE: Total Immersion
98hogbay - 2009-10-14 7:09 AM

Since then I started reading TI and watching some TI videos. This has given me a great boost, both in terms of speed and level of exhertion.



X2.  Sure, coaches are great, and if you have the means, then by all means.  But the TI book "Triathlon Swimming Made Easy" and the video, Easy Freestyle are both great.  Even if you can't afford a coach, simply reading these books, working the drills and visualizing the techniques will be of great benefit.  Simply reading the book and watching the video helped me immensely before I even started "drilling". 
2009-10-14 5:08 PM
in reply to: #2451451

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Expert
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A little slice of paradise
Subject: RE: Total Immersion
I bought the TI book  but never felt like I was 'doing it right', so I did the TI weekend workshop.
I could swim before the workshop, but after the TI weekend I was a swimmer.
But, I am sure you could achieve your goals with a masters class or local swim coach
2009-10-14 11:12 PM
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Member
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Subject: RE: Total Immersion
TI was amazing for me.  15 months prior to me IM, I doggy paddled a sprint tri.  I definitely had to spend many months in the off season doing nothing but drills, but it works.

I'm one of the few who simply bought the book and followed it to a T.  I didn't have the money for a workshop, and figured if I was disciplined enough I could use the book to get there.  It was mentally difficult, but it worked.

Buy the book, get a good foundation, then evaluate your next step.
2009-10-17 10:51 AM
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2009-10-17 3:41 PM
in reply to: #2451451

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St. John's Newfoundland
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.
2009-10-17 8:28 PM
in reply to: #2451451

Expert
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St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Total Immersion
TI helped me A LOT as a beginner. But, at one point, I just needed to meet 1-on-1 with a swimming coach to help get me to the "next level."

I did 2 years of tris (including my first HIM and IM) with just DVD TI training. I was slow but steady. After 2 quick, cheap meetings with the swim coach at my Y (non-TI), I was able to refine my form and get quite a bit faster. (I'm still a middle of the pack swimmer.)

Good luck!!
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