The Masters Swimming Thread!

[HillSlugger]

I'm still working out on my own, but finally feeling confident enough that I might consider masters swimming during the winter.

I'm working on increasing my endurance, swimming longer each time, and nearing 1000m straight FS. The last two workouts felt really good, fast (for me) and smooth. I'm also doing extra work on my kick and I'm starting to work on bilateral breathing.

[alpinerabbit]

Ours started us on butterfly yesterday. This makes freestyle look like a piece of cake.

Since everyone else has gone through the "winter technique phase" probably at least once (long time club members) - I was at the bottom of the ladder again. I'm getting used to it (I always was, just being in the club keeps rubbing it in)...

oh not entirely: I beat the guys on legstroke only. hehehe.

[rocknrollgirl]

I went to the pool on Saturday. It was my first swim post Nationals. After a week of resting, eating ice cream cake and drinking wine...I swam like a brick. Betcha did not know you could do brick workouts in the pool! It was just plain ugly!

[Wahine]

RnR is your new Avatar from Nationals? Coooooool.

[Over50Newbie]

Hi everyone,

May I join in this discussion?

I am 53 and a Master's swimmer. I am currently training for a swim meet in November. I guess that you could call me a sprinter, because I am only signing up to do the 50 yard freestyle, and maybe the 50 yard butterfly and the 100 IM. I used to swim when I was young, but I have not competed in more than 30 years! So, in some ways, I feel like a beginner again.

I am using the "immersion swimming" technique. It is brand new to me and I am getting more comfortable with it every day. I am finding it difficult breathing every three strokes instead of my usual every four strokes. But my coach wants me to keep practicing as he says that this will make me a more balanced swimmer.

And I'm working really hard practicing not swimming freestyle on my stomach, but instead just "passing through" my front side, while rotating my hips from side to side. My coach says that I should never be flat on my stomach - it is the most inefficient way to swim freestyle. I should swim freestyle like a fish does - always staying on my side.

This is all new learning for me. I can't believe how much swimming has changed in the past 30 years! Where have I been?

So, anyway, hello to all of you other swimmers. Happy to be aboard!

Lynette

[rocknrollgirl]

Yes Yoda, that is a pic from Nationals. They came out ok....I like that one and one at the finish. The DH got some good shots, but they are a pain to post because the files are huge and when I shrink they they look crappy. I will post a few of the small ones that I clipped from the event photographer.

[alpinerabbit]

I am using the "immersion swimming" technique.

I should swim freestyle like a fish does - always staying on my side.

hee hee. Fish don't swim on their side. Well flounders do.

Just kidding. I think TI is great. it's just that the above is a fact.

[KSH]

And I'm working really hard practicing not swimming freestyle on my stomach, but instead just "passing through" my front side, while rotating my hips from side to side. My coach says that I should never be flat on my stomach - it is the most inefficient way to swim freestyle. I should swim freestyle like a fish does - always staying on my side.

This is all new learning for me. I can't believe how much swimming has changed in the past 30 years! Where have I been?

Well, I have see the TI videos and the technique... and honestly, I don't "get it". I think it's great for someone who can't swim... to learn how to swim... but it also seems like a lot of people who use it, never end up being very fast.

I swim "old school" (swam competitively 20 years ago)... I swim on my stomach... and I'm usually top 3 in my AG out of the water. I'm not a slow swimmer.

My boyfriend learned using TI and he has never gotten really fast. I had a friend who was doing the TI method, and I had him stop twisting his body as much in the water... and he got faster.

Who knows... maybe some people are speed demons in the water swimming on their sides the whole time? I haven't met them... but I'm sure it works for some.

Sorry... that's just my little rant. Like I said, I think TI is great for someone who can't swim at all to be able to swim... but I don't think the technique is the "end all be all".

But hey, whatever works for you. If you can swim fast swimming on your side... then that's great!

[HillSlugger]

hee hee. Fish don't swim on their side. Well flounders do.

Fish don't do freestyle, either.

KSH, what do you consider "fast"?

I bought the TI book, but only got about 1/2 through it. I got frustrated because they kept saying "We'll show you how to X..." but then never seemed to get to the showing, only to the promise to show. The little bit I got out of it was to swim with the top of the head forward and the eyes/face down.