Posted: 9/17/2007 1:00:50 PM EDT
| Well, I finally joined back up at the gym today, and started swimming. I never realized how hard swimming was when I did it every day. I swam for a little over 20 minutes, after about 5 laps I would stop for about 20-30 seconds between laps. I can tell I'm going to be sore tonight, my legs and arms feel like there about dead. I could also tell that from my added weight and the length of time it's been since I've swam, that my timing and balance is way off. I guess it will just take some time to get that rhythm back. Overall though I felt really good when I got done. |
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20 years ago I turned down orders, dangled in front of me like a carrot for NAVY BUD/S training because I knew I couldn't meet their swimming standards. Wish I knew then what I know now - here's what I do in the pool every weekend now: youtube.com/watch?v=4lUHudMN1TU&mode=related&search= |
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I recommend this book to everyone. I thought I was a good swimmer before, now I am a fish. books.google.com/books?id=d_Eot0PEKpcC&printsec=frontcover#PPP1,M1 |
| I considered myself a good swimmer. I swam on a swim team both summer and winter for about 10 years. I also lived on a lake for a few years and was always in the water. The good thing is my form is starting to come back, as is my balance. Being able to swim for 20 minutes yesterday was a huge boost for me. |
Really? It looks pretty interesting (I just checked out the link), but that good? How long did it take you to see improvements using the techniques described in the book? I may have to order it tomorrow. |
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BTT Another 1000 yards today. Tomorrow I going for a mile (again.) The other day I noticed a swimmer alternating sides on which he was breathing. I tried it myself and about drowned. Maybe something I need to work on. Of those who are swimming regularly, do you breath on ever stroke or do you go every two or more strokes? |
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The standard distance technique would be to take a breath once every three strokes, or as needed. Every three keeps you switching right left, and the timing is about right for most people. I didn't read reviews on the above book, but I scanned the preview and do see some techniques that are valuable. One I learned was "pressing the T", which in here looks like pressing your buoy. I swam competetively in HS, starting hurting my shoulders and hated it and gave it up. Took some PE classes for fun in college and totally relearned my long-distance freestyle stroke (huge thanks to Cal Coach Mike Bottom), and now enjoy it again. Technique can make a huge difference. The reason I was hurting my shoulders is that I was using a slowed down version of my sprint stroke for all of my freestyle swimming. For breathing on both sides you just need to practice there is a whole lot of tiny stuff that goes into it. The first step is getting used to letting your sholders and body roll with your stroke, and to not be picking your head up to breathe. With a little body rotation, you only need to turn your head to the side slightly in order to breath. If you still are having trouble with picking your head up, turn you chin until it touches your shoulder to breath Try kicking with both hands out in front of you (kickboard optional). As you are kicking, take a stroke with one arm, and when you finish the stroke leave your hand at your side. As you arm moves throught the stroke you will rotate your body with it. (assuming right hand stroke first) let your right side rotate down into the water as your hand goes from 0 to around 80 degrees, and then as it pulls from 80 degrees towards 180 you should be rotating so that you finish with your right hand at your side, and that whole right side pointed straight up. This is an over exagerated roll, but helps you get used to the motion. Put the hand back forward, kick for a bit and then do the same with your left. |
Good info, thanks. |
I did my part; did you do yours? My guess would be that you would look like you were running through some yellow jackets. |