Not so bad.- Underwater Video of my swim!

[Urlea]

I was finally able to get the video back from my sister that she shot of me swimming. I couldn't figure out how to get it to attach directly to the post, but you can view it here.

http://stubborntriathlete.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-so-bad.html

There are a few things I can see that I need to work on, but overall my form is better then I expected which is an encouragement. :)

Let me know what you think needs work & what doesn't. Thanks!

[HillSlugger]

I was finally able to get the video back from my sister that she shot of me swimming. I couldn't figure out how to get it to attach directly to the post, but you can view it here.

http://stubborntriathlete.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-so-bad.html

There are a few things I can see that I need to work on, but overall my form is better then I expected which is an encouragement. :)

Let me know what you think needs work & what doesn't. Thanks!

Just this weekend I had a swim clinic that included underwater video. From what I learned there you are doing a nice job of slicing your hand into the water, but you are bringing it too deep. We were told to bring it forward about 6-8 inches below the surface of the water. You look like you have nice hip roll but I'm wondering if your kick is maybe too spread and coming out of your slipstream.

[Urlea]

MdhillSlug Thanks for your thoughts! I agree. Both of the things you mentioned I can clearly see in the videos.

Correcting how deep my stroke goes seems to be a fairly simple fix (I hope :) ), but how do I keep my kick tighter together?

[HillSlugger]

MdhillSlug Thanks for your thoughts! I agree. Both of the things you mentioned I can clearly see in the videos.

Correcting how deep my stroke goes seems to be a fairly simple fix (I hope :) ), but how do I keep my kick tighter together?

For the hand depth he actually had us swimming a bit while looking forward at our hands (I wasn't slicing in, coming in too shallow).

For the legs, one thing I've read is to take an old bike tube (or similar item) and make a band that you can slip around your ankles that will restrict you from spreading your legs as far on the kick.

[badger]

the best advice I got for the arms is to reach as far as you can ABOVE the water. The hands should go into the water when your arms are pretty much stretched out full. The less contact the arms have with the water, the less resistance. Also translates to less fatigue in the long run.

Try doing some drills where you basically just stretch out as far as you can and basically coast for a bit. Tuck your chin in, and try to get a longer stroke out of it rather than increasing the turnover. Try to get a bit of a cadence like you're ice skating - streeetch, stroke, streeetch, stroke.

You've got a great kick, so all you need to do is just fix the arms!

[Urlea]

Thanks for the input Badger!! I will put your suggestions to use!

T-minus 52 days until the HIM. :) I've been working hard to fix form issues.

It's been a little harder then I expected, but is coming along.

I've found that counting how many strokes I am taking per length of the pool helps with the turn-over issue.

Tomorrow is another swim/bike day, so we'll see how it goes!

[kacie tri-ing]

Does HIM or marathon come first for you? marathon, right?

[HillSlugger]

the best advice I got for the arms is to reach as far as you can ABOVE the water. The hands should go into the water when your arms are pretty much stretched out full. The less contact the arms have with the water, the less resistance. Also translates to less fatigue in the long run.

Try doing some drills where you basically just stretch out as far as you can and basically coast for a bit. Tuck your chin in, and try to get a longer stroke out of it rather than increasing the turnover. Try to get a bit of a cadence like you're ice skating - streeetch, stroke, streeetch, stroke.

You've got a great kick, so all you need to do is just fix the arms!

That goes against everything I've ever read or been told.

[alpinerabbit]

I agree with MD, I'm told right in the line of your goggle strap. But then again some ppl swim windmill style.
I don't think the hand goes down that much too deep, don't start doing the extension right under the waterline (actually I think the first image in the link below is not what you should do).

You could try to keep the elbow higher after the catch, look for "early vertical forearm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3ctBUV08_o)" (example linked) on youtube.
You are bending your hands forward and up which creates resistance. keep them pointed down. Well a little bit. That's what our TI trained coach tells me.
Pushthrough is pretty good.

Also I *think* you are kicking too much out of your knees and not out of your hips.

Your legs&butt are sinking.

It's not bad, but you did want a critique. You obviously feel comfortable. Nice 3&2 rhythm.

I'd love to see the view from above.

[Urlea]

Kacie- The marathon comes first. Only 17days away!! Looking forward to it, I feel ready! :D

MD & Alpine, thanks for the added input! I did put the videos up for critique for a reason, I need it.

It will be a while until I will be able to get more video of my swim to see if improvements have been made, but what I have adjusted already has made swimming more comfortable & efficient. I'm happy about that.

Since my schedule & the gym schedules typically tend to line up in such a way that I have to do my run/ride before I swim my legs have been fatigued going into that portion of training. It's been awesome for a recovery workout, but I also know that when I'm fatigued my kick gets loose which is what you saw in the video. That doesn't keep me from trying to correct the problem though! :)

Once the ice is off the lakes & I can get out for OWS I will be able to play around with my training routine a bit to get that swim in first. Hopefully before June 13th!