How to swim faster?

[flirtees]

Does anyone have any tips on how to swim faster?

I don't come from a swimming background and have always found swimming difficult. This is my 7th year doing triathlons and I still can not swim a 2 min pace.

It's very frustrating.

Thanks,
Tanya

[Kimmyt]

Personally, I think it all comes down to efficiency and proper technique in the water (i.e. use the least amount of energy and create the least amount of resistance to get the distance done).

It's not something you can muscle through like biking and running....

K.

[colby]

You might try a swim clinic or swim lessons. Sometimes it's helpful to have someone else give you pointers on what you're doing wrong, even if you think you're a good swimmer. Some clinics will film you under water and on top of the water to look at your rotation, stroke, recovery, and point out some drills that can help you "fix" what you're doing wrong.

If you aren't doing drills, joining a master's swim program or starting on some swimming drills on your own might help, too. Just like biking or running, varying your distances, doing sprints, and doing "form" drills can really help.

[teigyr]

Personally, I think it all comes down to efficiency and proper technique in the water (i.e. use the least amount of energy and create the least amount of resistance to get the distance done).

It's not something you can muscle through like biking and running....

K.

Very frustratingly true. I read somewhere that people with a swimming background actually get along better in triathlons because they have the form for swimming already. Cyclists and runners tend to get frustrated with swimming because they just want to go "harder" and swimming isn't like that.

Swimming frustrates the heck out of me Yes, there's a lot of frustration here.

[Veronica]

I wish they would make the swim much longer and the run much shorter myself.

V.

[teigyr]

I wish they would make the swim much longer and the run much shorter myself.

V.

wicked, wicked woman

[oneskineejosie]

Yeah, I'm with Veronica on this one!!!

[kelownagirl]

Yeah, I'm with Veronica on this one!!!

I'd like the swim shorter and the bike longer...

[Veronica]

How about this as a basic ratio: a mile swim, 50 mile bike ride and two mile run.

You can double or divide as needed.

V.

[kelownagirl]

How about this as a basic ratio: a mile swim, 50 mile bike ride and two mile run.

You can double or divide as needed.

V.

1km swim, 20-50km bike, and 5km run.

[jesvetmed]

KG: Cool new avatar!

I'm reading a book right now: The Triathlete's Guide to Swim Training by Steve Tarpinian. I don't know if I'll follow ALL of it -- I'd be at the pool all day doing drills! But, he makes some good technique points, and has good drills to get the feel for how to stroke efficiently and roll to be more speedy through the water, etc. I would think any swim technique book would help this.

Swimming will be my worst enemy in this sport! I'm with you guys that want it shorter!

Jes

[flirtees]

Has anyone ever signed up for a total immersion clinic?

There's one in Toronto this month. I have the dvd but i've never really understood the concept.

I definitely need someone to look at my stroke. My problem is my arms get tired quickly. This guy at the Y let me try this an ankle strap that held the feet together. He told me if I was a good swimmer I would be able to keep proper body position and my feet wouldn't drop.

Immediately after I pushed off the wall my legs sunk like dead weights and I was thrashing the water just to stay afloat. It was embarrasing. So I figured my technique was poor. Oh well.

I look forward to some more advice.
Tanya

[Natural Beauty]

Since I'm actually a mermaid in disguise the cycling part is the most difficult, the running just a little scarey looking to those with great form.

Community Pools have programs for triathletes who think the swimming part should be eliminated, part of the Masters programs I believe. If you can get relaxed and in the flow of the water (how zen sounding) you can actually feel your power strokes and the more powerful your kick and stroke combination the faster you'll go. Then, you can break out of the pack and avoid getting kicked in the eye.

plz forgive my spelling...haven't downloaded the spell checker yet.

[Natural Beauty]

Try holding a kickboard between your thighs first....or if they have bouie's, use one of those before the ankle strap. Either one will give just a little support while you try to do arms only.

[alpinerabbit]

I can't hold a 2 min pace either. I could in February and I can't now, haven't been training enough.

You have to be meticulous about your technique. Be a perfectionist. And then when you have it down, do the required mile-yardage, what have you. And you never ever stop doing drills.

Total Immersion, yes, but to be honest, it teaches you the same end result. And the power part, the underwater stroke, is not really covered I believe (I was taken through all the TI drills).

If you're doing ironmans already, I cannot help you, but for shorties, the above is the ticket, so they say.

What's your stroke count on a lane? (what lane?)