Was it just this past tuesday that I was lamenting my lack of swim prowess? Well I have continued to work hard at it ever since, both in the pool and on the Internet. It is amazing the amount of advice that is out there, and even more amzaing how contradictory much of it is. I have gradually come to the realization that there is no magic bullet ,but at the same time I still believe there are specific approaches that will help me. Today for the first time I felt a glimmer of hope that I am starting to put it together. The major attributes of front crawl seem to be reach, catch, pull, arm recovery, roll, hip drive, and kick. And within each one of those there are various styles or techniques. As I start to put things together it seems that the approach you choose needs to be as individual as you are, depending on strength, flexibility, fitness, and perhaps most of all, body type, and body density.
For me to get better at something I need to understand it. I can't just blindly follow someones advice. But like I said I think I'm learning. Since I had such a tough workout yesterday I decided to treat myself to a wetsusit swim today. After a brief warmup I set out to do 1000 metres focusing on just 3 things. Extended reach, body roll, and a 2 beat kick. Reach to help elongate my body in the water, roll to present a marrower front to the water, and a 2 beat kick as opposed to 4 beat or 6 beat, primarily because it conserves energy. And wonder of wonders it felt pretty good! I had no trouble completing the 1000 metres, and I did it at a faster pace than I previously did half the distance. I actually snuck under 18 minutes, and if I could maintain that while gradually building up to ironman distance my life would be complete. I will start drilling specifically towards that technique. Today at least I am quite optimistic. Woohoo!
(swim 1500 metres, 40 mins computrainer)
"In all things it is better to hope than to despair"---Johann Wolgang von Goethe
"Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible."---William Sloan Coffin
"You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry. Most people do.---Anon
“No man drowns if he perseveres in praying to God; and can swim".---Anon
Love
Peter
For me to get better at something I need to understand it. I can't just blindly follow someones advice. But like I said I think I'm learning. Since I had such a tough workout yesterday I decided to treat myself to a wetsusit swim today. After a brief warmup I set out to do 1000 metres focusing on just 3 things. Extended reach, body roll, and a 2 beat kick. Reach to help elongate my body in the water, roll to present a marrower front to the water, and a 2 beat kick as opposed to 4 beat or 6 beat, primarily because it conserves energy. And wonder of wonders it felt pretty good! I had no trouble completing the 1000 metres, and I did it at a faster pace than I previously did half the distance. I actually snuck under 18 minutes, and if I could maintain that while gradually building up to ironman distance my life would be complete. I will start drilling specifically towards that technique. Today at least I am quite optimistic. Woohoo!
(swim 1500 metres, 40 mins computrainer)
"In all things it is better to hope than to despair"---Johann Wolgang von Goethe
"Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible."---William Sloan Coffin
"You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry. Most people do.---Anon
“No man drowns if he perseveres in praying to God; and can swim".---Anon
Love
Peter
Glad your swim went well! I hope it continues to go well for you!
ReplyDeleteLove you.
Michael