The Masters Swimming Thread!

**light_sabe_r** · 09-17-2007, 07:26 PM

2.6km!!!! ^_^

1min 15 per 50m lap!!!!

YAHOO!!!

Okay so I was wearing flippers for all but 400m...

I still went the distance!

I can do 200 freestyle (without flippers) in 4mins 48s now... That's WAY faster than my time at the Luke Harrop Tri in February.

**Running Mommy** · 09-17-2007, 08:55 PM

WHEWW! Lots of sets. Oh and my favorite one armed drills. UGH!!
AKA controlled drowning!

But my 200 time was 4:50. So I kept my 2:25 per 100 pace over the distance. I'm not getting faster- yet. But I do feel better in the water.

I had a guy next to me tonight that kept calling me speedy, and said I had lungs of steel. I may have lungs of steel- but there aint no (good english ehh?! ha ha) "speed" in my swim!!

The pool we are swimming in doesn't have lights. So the only light we have is from above. Kind of cool to swim in the dark. Kinda creepy, but cool.

**Wahine** · 10-09-2007, 09:14 AM

How's everyone doing with their swimming.

My coach is trying to kill me.

Our workout today:

400 IM
8 x 50 - dolphin kick on back for 25 then freestyle for 25 with fins

Main set:

3 x 200 on 3:50 interval
2 x 200 on 3:40 interval
Repeat above

Then puke and do 200 choice cool down.

I think I'll sleep well tonight.

**HillSlugger** · 10-09-2007, 09:26 AM

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** · 10-09-2007, 11:32 AM

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** · 10-09-2007, 12:31 PM

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** · 10-09-2007, 04:10 PM

RnR is your new Avatar from Nationals? Coooooool.

**Over50Newbie** · 10-09-2007, 05:21 PM

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** · 10-10-2007, 01:43 AM

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** · 10-10-2007, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Over50Newbie

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** · 10-10-2007, 11:09 AM

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** · 10-10-2007, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

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.

**teigyr** · 10-10-2007, 12:57 PM

I'm right in the middle of TI lessons.

Some of it feels awkward. In theory, it seems like it makes sense though sometimes it feels strange! I agree that maybe some of the techniques can be modified to a more traditional type style.

My intention is to be "middle of the pack" while having enough coordination and strength to go around poor swimmers. I also would like to not have my quads burn after 1/2 mile in the open water and I'd like to finish with as much energy as possible. Oh and I don't want to have to regroup at buoys if I get winded

I think maybe when I'm through with my TI training, I will go back to more traditional swim clinics to practice. One thing TI did work on which I loved, was balance. I float much more easily now and my legs don't sink

**Over50Newbie** · 10-10-2007, 06:27 PM

KSH,

Very interesting points.

And, I have to tell you that I feel the same way. Especially when you say that immersion swimming is a good technique to help people learn to swim, but is not that helpful for those of us that consider ourselves more "accomplished" swimmers. But I have this coach that is an immersion swimming nut. He feels that it is the "end all" to swimming. So, I have decided to give it a try to see if it helps me be a faster swimmer. But I'm not really convinced that it is going to help me at all.

I also swam competitively as a child. I learned to swim through the American Red Cross swimming program. I have always swum freestyle staying completely on my stomach. I also swam freestyle with my arms swinging out without a great deal of bend in my arms.

I actually have a videotape of me swimming the 50 yard freestyle in a swim meet last year (my very first swim meet as an adult) and you can see my old form.

This is what I looked like.

http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...=Freestyle.flv

My time for the 50 yard freestyle was 35.5 seconds. Not extremely fast, but not that slow either - for an old lady.

I am going to be in another swim meet next month and I am also going to do the 50 yard freestyle again, trying out my new form. This will mean more bend in my elbows and trying to rotate more from side to side.

I am pessimistic that my time is going to improve, but I am going to give it my best shot!

How is all of this going to transfer to swimming in triathlons? I have no idea! Right now I am only doing sprint tris. I did my first one last year and I plan on trying some more next summer.

I have now been working on changing my form with immersion swimming for about 4 months. I'm really hoping that it will help me be a better swimmer. I guess I'll find out soon. But I must admit, I am having lots of fun exploring this new stuff. I guess that you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Lynette

**light_sabe_r** · 10-10-2007, 07:03 PM

What's TI????

Total Immersion??

Can someone give me a definition?

I honestly have no idea what I'm being taught... All I know is I REALLY sucked this morning. I was slow, I was swallowing water (The fact it was raining didn't help my breating in air much either) and I felt like I couldn't keep my arse up in the water.

>_< MAN THAT SUCKED! I think it's because I haven't recovered from my 140 last weekend.

Triathlon is this weekend... Can't be THIS BAD now... ;_;

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