The Masters Swimming Thread!

[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.

[teigyr]

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]

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]

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... ;_;

[KSH]

Lynette... cool video!

A 32 second 50 is FAST in my book lady! I don't think I could do that! Although, I have always been a distance swimmer... not a sprinter.

I guess I would ask, how did you fair in the sprint tri on the swim? Were you first... last... somewhere in between? With a 50 that fast, I would think you would be in the top of your AG.

Keep in mind that a lot triathletes come from a running or cycling backgroun. The ones with a swimming background really stand out, because they are decent in the water.

Your "old school" stroke looked pretty good. I saw you doing the "S" underwater. I did notice that your elbows were not too high and your right elbow was lower than the left. From a distance in the video it almost looked like the arm was dragging through the water some to come to the front.

Well, see how the TI works. Maybe you will be faster? Let us know how it works out. I'm curious.

I know for me... I figured if it ain't broke... don't fix it. My "old school" stroke is what my body knows, and it generally places me top 3 in my AG out of the water.

It's really nice too because I can get away with only training one day week. For my Half Ironman I trained once a week around 3500-4000 yards and I did around a 1:50 per minute on the 2100 yard swim. I also came out of the water fresh and feeling good. That's what matters!

[Wahine]

I am very strong through my upper boday and with a more traditional freestyle stroke I was as fast if not a little faster over shorter distances. But with the TI stroke, I can hold my pace for much longer and my stroke count over 50 m has gone down by more than 10. That translates into a lot less effort to go the same distance and in triathlon, that's what it's all about.

[Over50Newbie]

This is a great discussion. Thanks, ladies, for letting me join in!

A 32 second 50 is FAST in my book lady! I don't think I could do that! Although, I have always been a distance swimmer... not a sprinter.

Not a 32 second 50, a 35 second 50. (I wish it was a 32). And, thanks, I'm glad you like the video!

Oh, and yes, I usually finish either first or second in my age group for the swimming section of the sprint tris that I have done, but to be honest, this really doesn't mean a lot, because there are so few women in my age competing.

Wahine, the same thing is happening to me with my swimming. My stroke count is starting to go way down. I like the idea that this might translate to less effort for longer distances. As I said before, TI is all new to me, so we will have to see as time goes on if that is true. Though I know for sure that I am gliding more now than I used to.

Light Saber, yes, TI means Total Immersion. Here is the web site if you want to see what it is all about.

http://www.totalimmersion.net

Goodnight Ladies,

Lynette

[HillSlugger]

One thing TI did work on which I loved, was balance. I float much more easily now and my legs don't sink

Is this explained in the book? I've always been a sinker and I definitely suffer from sinking hips. I'd love to be able to improve this!

[teigyr]

Is this explained in the book? I've always been a sinker and I definitely suffer from sinking hips. I'd love to be able to improve this!

It is in the book. I don't have the book with me but I do have the Triathlon Swimming Made Easy book here. It's all about balance. I know when I practice and start to sink, I remember to lower my head and upper body a bit and my legs pop right back up. I will say that the lessons are making more of a difference than the book just because I may think I am in line or balanced and it turns out the reality is my head is up and my legs are down It's so strange to feel like my head is buried in the water but when I feel the top of my head, it isn't as deep as I think it is. I bet if you search the TI website you will find things on balance. There is also a discussion board there.

Washine, I'm glad you find TI useful. Because the coaching is somewhat expensive and because I'm practicing drills instead of "traditional" swimming, I am/was second-guessing my decision to do this. It's a lot of money and I'm fortunate in that I just have to say I need something and DH agrees but I'd hate to waste money on something useless. Thank you for that

[csh_01]

Mind if I join in as well? I'm taking an intro to master swim class. The Master swim class was a little intimidating to me. We've been swimming about 2200 yards. I'm not sure how much more I can swim in an hour. We've been timing our 100's the last few classes to see if we're improving. A few classes ago it was 1:37 and last night it was 1:30. We've also been working on lengthening our stroke. I started at 21 strokes/25 yards and now am about 18.

I just picked up the TI book from the library. I don't know how fast a 1:30 or 18 stroke per 25 yard is to decide if I should try and change my swimming style.