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2013-08-30 6:33 AM

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Subject: Recommended swimming book
I'm going to work on my swim in the off season. Someone mention a great book a week or two ago but I can't find the reference to it. It seems to me that the author's name was unusual and that she wasn't big into gliding.
Background: I've been swimming for a year and haven't improved much in speed although I feel much smoother and my swimming fitness has improved immensely. I don't think that there are huge problems with technique but the last two sprints I averaged 2:30 per 100 m. I've watched a lot of youtube, took a master's class, and tried to focus on technique during training. I swam 2 x per week during the winter and got up to 3 x per week often during the summer. I'm not sure I have time to do more than that without neglecting running and biking. (My biking needs work too.)

Any recommendations for books?


2013-08-30 6:39 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Sheila Taormina. Swim Speed Secrets (or something close to that)
2013-08-30 6:46 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
based on other advice ppl have given about swims here, I would say based on your 2:30/100m, that while you might not see issues with your swim, there are probably some - I average 1:54/100m and I feel slow compared to ppl

maybe see if there is anyone local to do a swim stroke analysis/couple of sessions to help you, before you start working on your own with a book
2013-08-30 7:04 AM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by austhokie

based on other advice ppl have given about swims here, I would say based on your 2:30/100m, that while you might not see issues with your swim, there are probably some - I average 1:54/100m and I feel slow compared to ppl

maybe see if there is anyone local to do a swim stroke analysis/couple of sessions to help you, before you start working on your own with a book


I live in a small town in Northern Ontario. There aren't many resources here. I can get into a nearby city but coaches there are limited and it's hard to get in often. On the other hand, there are lakes everywhere.
2013-08-30 7:11 AM
in reply to: Experior

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by Experior

Sheila Taormina. Swim Speed Secrets (or something close to that)


Yes, that was the one. Thanks.
2013-08-30 7:23 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by b2run

Originally posted by Experior

Sheila Taormina. Swim Speed Secrets (or something close to that)


Yes, that was the one. Thanks.
swim smooth also have a good book (I'm half way through it). It has lots of pictures and great information on stroke development and training sessions. I think that you can only get it from their website.


2013-08-30 7:45 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
maybe not even often and during the winter - maybe more time...IMHO it just seems kind of pointless to go and swim lots without knowing if you have issue with your stroke mechanics - which could be hampering you from improving
2013-08-30 10:43 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book

I also like:

Swim Workouts in a Binder for Swimmers, Triathletes, & Coaches by Nick Hansen & Eric Hansen

and

Swim Workouts for Triathletes by Gale Bernhardt & Nick Hansen

2013-08-30 11:06 AM
in reply to: TriMyBest

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
I have The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming And Training by Kevin Koskella on my kindle. I'd be willing to lend it to you.
2013-08-30 11:10 AM
in reply to: b2run

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book

Originally posted by b2run
Originally posted by austhokie based on other advice ppl have given about swims here, I would say based on your 2:30/100m, that while you might not see issues with your swim, there are probably some - I average 1:54/100m and I feel slow compared to ppl maybe see if there is anyone local to do a swim stroke analysis/couple of sessions to help you, before you start working on your own with a book
I live in a small town in Northern Ontario. There aren't many resources here. I can get into a nearby city but coaches there are limited and it's hard to get in often. On the other hand, there are lakes everywhere.

I cannot recommend Swim Speed Secrets and the accompanying Swim Speed Workouts highly enough.

Also, if you can post video of you swimming--even just above-water shots taken from each side, as you are coming in, and as you are swimming away would likely help for us to give you some feedback on technique since your coaching access is limited.

2013-08-30 11:17 AM
in reply to: TriAya

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by TriAya

I cannot recommend Swim Speed Secrets and the accompanying Swim Speed Workouts highly enough.




^^^ THIS! X2

Go to sleep Yanti!!!


2013-08-30 11:32 AM
in reply to: TriAya

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by TriAya

Originally posted by b2run
Originally posted by austhokie based on other advice ppl have given about swims here, I would say based on your 2:30/100m, that while you might not see issues with your swim, there are probably some - I average 1:54/100m and I feel slow compared to ppl maybe see if there is anyone local to do a swim stroke analysis/couple of sessions to help you, before you start working on your own with a book
I live in a small town in Northern Ontario. There aren't many resources here. I can get into a nearby city but coaches there are limited and it's hard to get in often. On the other hand, there are lakes everywhere.

I cannot recommend Swim Speed Secrets and the accompanying Swim Speed Workouts highly enough.

Also, if you can post video of you swimming--even just above-water shots taken from each side, as you are coming in, and as you are swimming away would likely help for us to give you some feedback on technique since your coaching access is limited.

Shouldn't you be getting ready to go for a swim yourself??

2013-08-30 11:33 AM
in reply to: 0


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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
I came from a background similar to you, swimming like 2:30+ in 100yds in the pool, 2:50/100 in my first few OWS, and managed to slowly and painfully get it down to sub 1:40/100 over a 3 year period. Got a lot faster until I hit 1:55/100, and then it's been slow going ever since to improve.

There's only one book I would honestly recommend - it's far from perfect, and I'd ONLY recommend it to slow beginners, but you would probably benefit from it some (no offense), and it's Total Immersion. The drills and concepts are excellent about efficient swimming, but don't drink too much of the Kool Aid in there and expect to start flying in the water because you're doing his drills. However, if you're NOT able to do his drills or at least think about swimming efficiently, you really need to do that before becoming an intermediate swimmer.

The other books are not bad, but you will honestly get much more learning by watching free youtube videos and free online videos and articles. Some good ones are Swimsmooth's website (all excellent) and the videos on Shinji Takeuchi are very helpful. It's also helpful to watch some of the links that popup of not-great swimmer videos - you'll recognize what they're doing wrong and that is often more instructive than watching a perfect stroke.

(The Taormina book is good, but honestly, can be summarized in once sentence: Early Vertical Forearm will account for propulsion which will account for 80% of your speed. You don't need the book to research what EVF is, and watching videos of it >>> reading about it.)



Edited by yazmaster 2013-08-30 11:46 AM
2013-08-30 1:41 PM
in reply to: ratherbeswimming

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Subject: RE: Recommended swimming book
Originally posted by ratherbeswimming

I have The Complete Guide to Triathlon Swimming And Training by Kevin Koskella on my kindle. I'd be willing to lend it to you.


Do you deliver?
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