Swimming update...

[khiemtran]

So, I was at the pool last week and I was lucky enough to get a lane to myself. Since there was no need to worry about getting in anyone else's way, I started off very slowly, just concentrating on form and using very little effort.

Up ahead, I could see a man in the next lane who looked like he was powering along. To my surprise though, I quickly found I was catching him.

Okay, I thought, perhaps I'm just getting a boost from his wake. But then, as I caught him at the wall and kicked away on the turn, I found that I was gliding away from him. Wow, I thought. I must really have gotten the hang on this swimming business...

Yesterday, however, I was sharing a lane with two of other regulars, one of whom is very quick. I knew she was lapping faster than me, but I was completely shocked to find her at my shoulder, sailing past without any apparent effort at all. As far as I could tell, we were both stroking at the same rate, but she went by so fast I had to wonder if she had flippers.

I still have no idea just what she was doing that made the difference. Better body position, perhaps. Or better breathing. Or maybe just better conditioned muscles. Whatever it was, it seemed just like magic.

So, I know I've been improving, but I also know I've still got a long way to go. And just as I probably stunned the other man last week, there are still many people who can still make me feel like a drowning land mammal as they flick past.

Comments

[soon_lee]

Technique makes a massive difference. I'm still working it out but found http://www.swimsmooth.com/ to be useful. Also getting someone to spot you & point out what you're doing wrong.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've been using that site, and the MrSmooth animation, and it's been a big help. Getting someone to watch what I'm doing has been a bit harder. It feels like my head is still moving around too much when I breath and that my legs are low compared to the other swimmers, but I can't really be sure if there isn't something else as well. I could sign up for coaching, I suppose, but it's kind of expensive unless you join the training squad, and that would involve more of a time commitment than I can make right now.

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Well done, you're clearly making improvements. Especially with swimming where drag is a big issue, small improvements in technique can have big effects. But most sports really are about form or technique, which is really just efficiency of motion, when you think about it. Minimise your wasted energy and your performance will improve. :)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, the only question is working out just what I need to work on. I concentrated on my "catch" yesterday (when the leading hand grabs the water) and on not starting the "pull" until I had reached the lowest point in my roll. It felt a bit smoother, but then none of the faster swimmers were around that day, so it was kind of hard to compare.