Amazing and new swimming perspective

This is the problem I'm having with this. Let's say you have two boats and one boat is exactly one inch longer. Let's say that you have an unusual race were the boats start with their sterns exactly even such that the longer boat has a one inch "head start." Suppose also that the winner is determined by the boat whose bow crosses the finish line first. Thus, the longer boat essentially has a one inch advantage throughout the entire race. Can we say that the longer boat travelled farther?

The point of my silly example is that I don't think it's just a matter of reaching farther. In the end, it comes down to speed. Show me how to go 3cm per second faster and I'll listen.

Sorry to be another naysaying buzzkill.

I agree with the OP.  If you can can the 3cm per stroke you will definately swim faster.  The analogy with the boat would not work IMO.  If you put 2 boats in the water and one was 1 inch longer and they traveled at the exact same speed the would finish in a tie.  If you put two swimmers of equal heights in the water and someone managed to make them swim the same speed other than the fact the one race one inch farther he would win by 1 inch per every stroke he took.  If they both took 25 strokes he would win by 25 inches wouldn't he (assuming they were both equally balanced, etc.).

Heck, aren't most WC swimmers taller?

So why is it that I'm 6'-1", extend wayyyy out on each stroke (and focus on rotating the body) before I start my catch and point my toes, but STILL have a hard time averaging low 1:50's in my training and races???

I'm crazy long in the water and still slow as molasses .........

(Guess I'll find out what's my problem when I meet with the coach tomorrow).

I tried this, but my ruler kept floating away....

Isn't this a contridiction....

"Swim 3 cm faster" and "without trying harder".

The only way I can think of that one can possibly swim faster without trying harder is to become more aquadynamic / swim with better form....and I'd have to disagree with you and state that its not easy. Aside from form and technique, some weights would help and get some more strength in the pull portion of your stroke and you'll have some improvement there.

Its entirely possible to swim 3 cm/sec faster with a greater energy expenditure. I think there's a lot of improvement people would see in their swim speeds if they got a good long reach and pulled all the way through the stroke. Most people (myself included) experience a shortening of the stroke as we get tired. That's where I lose most of my speed in a long continuous set - the muscles fatigue and don't want to pull as far or stretch as far.

Edit:

And a lot of people don't swim "quietly", which I think is another area where some swimmers could get some gains.  If you are kicking up huge rooster tails of water, you're wasting energy that you could put to use in moving forward instead of sending water up into the air.  Same thing with slapping the water as your arm enters the water sending water flying.   That energy could be put to better use.

Ever swim in the same lane as someone who goes past you just as you go up for a breath and get a mouthful?  Wasted energy.

Or swim with your ankles bent at a 90?  <-this is brutal.  Try it once just to see how much you slow down.

I will second that there is a little bit of truth to the whole "mind over body" thing when it comes to technique. I will refrain from a discourse, as it relates to my former dance training, which will probably be slammed as irrelevant or whatever by several folk here, but it sure as heck works for me a lot of times, so I don't see how it can hurt, assuming it's not throwing off your technique. And a lot of times, getting good technique down requires this. I am actually able to translate feedback into good technique quite well because of this (as I've been told by the Masters coach - and others). So it doesn't seem to be a detriment.

:shakes head in exasperation:

Mindboggling ........

Rick - when I saw you in Fl, I thought to myself that there's no way you are as slow as you say you are.  I hope your coach figures it out cause you are built to go fast in the water.  What is your typical stroke count per pool length?

I was partially kidding, but also partially not. Because you know darned well that if I had expounded on my point (and I don't mean just me, if anyone had done so, compared it to any other activity), someone probably would have made a comment saying it was as irrelevant as strength training, abs, or anything that isn't swim/bike/run. And then there would be a huge fight over the medical proof of such things, and links to opposing journal articles would be posted, and the authors' credentials would be ripped to shreds, etc... Anyhoo, point is, if it works for someone, why not? Can't hurt. I definitely see it as a valid way of learning and incorporating technique. It also helps you relax and not grip certain muscles, etc.

In the 25 yard pool I'm somewhere in the 21 - 23 range but can get down to the 19 - 20 when I really go for distance per stroke and not go for any sort of pace.  (Oddly enough I usually have a decent pace then to, I just can't hold it and it feels like I sink at the end of each stroke when I do that).

I think part of it is that I just don't get enough pool time.  I'm averaging 20k per month for the year, but I still don't thik that is enough.  But it is really all I can fit in with the life schedule.

My swim is by far my weak link.  If I can even get it partially improved I would be a lot more competitive I think.  Coming out of the water with so much of a deficit is a b-tch!  That's why I like these kinds of threads.  Because anything I can try to make myself better in the water (within reason) is a bonus!

And to wurkit ..... relax, BT is not that antagonistic!  You've met me (and my three little ones) and have an idea of what I'm really like in person.

Yeah, your kids are pretty freakin' cute. Esp. the little one. Sorry I didn't get more of a chance to talk to you that night!