Catch a wave...Or the swimming thread

[kelownagirl]

Finally got to the pool for the first time in 2 weeks. Thought it might be tough but I felt good - must be all the rest i've had lately.


400m WU

6 X 200m neg splits

5:30
5:24
5:09
4:48
4:27
4:11

200m CD

[jesvetmed]

Back to the pool today. Funny, after a couple swims in the lake in the wetsuit, it seemed so weird to try and swim normally. My butt kept sinking! And I couldn't seem to get my "roll" from side to side comfortably either! I'm a mess! I want the wetsuit back!

300 WU
Drills (few): 2x25 finger drag; 2x25 concentrating on bent arms
Sprints: 1/2 length (so - 12.5m) sprint, 1/2 length recover. 5 sec in between. Did 4x25, then rested 1.5 minutes and repeated.
Base: 2x 200 at moderate pace.
Kick: 4x25
CD: 250
TOTAL: 1350m

What drills do people generally work on? I need to work on my roll from side to side, and my pull. I've heard that getting small fins can help you concentrate on upper body work? Anyone have any comment on this?

Thanks!
Jes

[alpinerabbit]

look at the english part of www.svl.ch for hints, also about fins.

zipper drill, catch up, all kinds of sculling, stopping at thigh and armpit, some kicking, that's the kind of tech drills we do in practice.

the floating drills and the type of drills TI uses will teach you the correct posture in the water, and rolling; the fins have limited benefit I think.

[jesvetmed]

Thanks, Alpine! I'll check that out. I'll have to look at all of those -- I have not heard of most of them!
Jes

[alpinerabbit]

Woot :-)

today was the public "cross-the-lake" swim, it's really laid back with young and old folks, breaststroking, even aquajoggers join in.


for your entry fee you get a bright cap so the guards see you, your bag is hauled across and you get risotto on th'other side. (was too hot for risotto today).

Took me 33 minutes for 1450 meters including swimming around some of the slower folks.

I wasn't going all-out - so I think I won't be last at an Oly (I even passed a couple GUYS in tri suits...)

[teigyr]

The lake swim looks like fun!

I think I had a breakthrough today. I did drills and then I did structured swimming sets. My total distance was 1235 meters.

I love swimming but have struggled with form. I actually started feeling where the water felt like it was flowing over me and I noticed when I was interupting that flow by how I was swimming. My hand placement on one side is a bit off and isn't as smooth as the other side.

It's no substitution for having someone critique me in person but I think I actually made HUGE progress. It was a good day

[jesvetmed]

Alpine.. that looks like fun, and the water looks like it's such a beautiful color!? Is that an illusion?!

Teigyr... good job on "feeling the water". I think when that happens you are really doing something right! A while ago, I felt that things were really clicking at the pool, but then I lost that for a bit! Need to get that back! Keep it up!

I have my swim clinic a week form Saturday - -looking VERY forward to that! I'll share any hints I learn!
Jes

[HillSlugger]

I actually started feeling where the water felt like it was flowing over me and I noticed when I was interupting that flow by how I was swimming. My hand placement on one side is a bit off and isn't as smooth as the other side.

It's no substitution for having someone critique me in person but I think I actually made HUGE progress. It was a good day

Human coaching is great, but it's even better if you can feel what's right. Afterall, your coach won't be out there adjusting your stroke during races, etc.