HUGE swim breakthrough!

[GLC1968]

Basically, I used this video to get an idea of how my arms should be timed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr8PT...eature=related

Then I went to this video to get an idea about how upper and lower works together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFV...eature=related

From there, I started reading about the 2-beat kick on TI's forums. I kept working on quieting my legs while swimming to feel my balance in the water. Then my husband (who is more of a beginner than I am) said he'd read about a guy who was able to get the 2 beat kick by doing drills on his side (in streamline) where only the top leg was kicking. I did this, alternating a few times, for a few lengths and then I did a regular 50 while trying to keep my feet 'quiet' and it just happened. I started kicking in the right place in my stroke. This immediately helped with my rotation as one of my problems was that my hips weren't really rotating in sync with my shoulders (even though I thought they were). With the kick properly timed, it happens automatically.

I was also working on really trying to spear the water with each stroke and not rushing to start the next stroke.

Another resource that I've heard really good things about is www.findingfreestyle.com. Their technique is to teach you how to FEEL the correct form and that once you can feel it, you internalize it. After my experince of the past couple of days, I can totally see how this would work!