How to improve my sprint

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:36:16 GMT

In addition to feedback on approach and conditioning, sometimes watching yourself on video can illustrate simple mistakes, and uploading it would probably be the most effective route. I learned to swim as a total non-swimmer in my 40's, from tips, feedback, and reading (haven't been coached). You definitely have the engine with a sub 28s 50M, how is your 200? Hi Steve, I think you're right when you say to watch myself on video. I've some video but out of water. 200mt free are not my race :-) If I well remember, long time ago, a raced a 200mt in long course and my time was 2'27" At the moment I don't know. Thank you Steve

RE: How to improve my sprint

__steve__ — Mon, 28 May 2012 11:12:19 GMT

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Mon, 28 May 2012 07:37:16 GMT

Hi, Giampiero, My advice would be to pay attention to how you pace your races. Granted, a 50 should be a sprint the whole way, and your time of 27.5 is not bad. You didn't mention whether this is LCM or SCM, but either way, it's natural to feel that you're dying a little at the end of an all-out sprint. And though you may feel you are slowing down, you might not be losing as much speed as you think you are. The 100, on the other hand, is a different matter. Last year, my best LCM times for the 50 and 100 respectively were 28.3 and 1:01.90. (I was 59.) So you beat me by nearly one second on the 50, but I beat you by almost as much in the 100. Granted, I am more of a middle distance swimmer than a sprinter. Still, I suspect you should have beaten me in the 100, too, given how much more raw speed you have than me. I think the key is pacing. Do you have your splits from your best 100? In my 1:01.90, I went out in 30.36 and came back in 31.54, a difference of 1.18 seconds per 50. Since the dive gives you a 1.5 second advantage, this differential is almost like negative splitting the 100. I don't suggest that you try negative splitting your own 100, but I would be willing to bet that the reason you die on the second half is that you go out way too fast on the first 50. If you followed my approach, you would go out in a 29.5 (about 2 seconds slower than your fastest 50) and come back in a 30.7 (second 50 1.2 seconds slower than first.) This would give you a 1:00.20. The key, in my opinion, is to try to swim the first 50 in easy speed mode--under control, smooth, plenty of breaths, don't overuse your kick. Then build the second 50, bringing in the kick as you go. Chances are you will still die a little, but if you can forestall this and use your kick to compensate at the end, I think you can come close to breaking a minute. Good luck! Hi Jim, thank you so much. Well 27"5 is in short course, just 2 weeks ago I raced on 50mt and my time was 28"4. My best on 100mt in short is 1'02"60 and in long course is 1'03"50. Usually, my time in the first 50mt is 29"8 (short) and 30"2 (long). So I have a difference of 3" more or less. I think is too much. You have only 1"2. I would reach your difference. It should be fantastic. Surely, I have to improve my kick. Jim, thank you so much to joined with me your way to race with me. I learned a lot and it's very interesting to know your experience. I really appreciated. Thank you Giampiero

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Mon, 28 May 2012 07:21:04 GMT

Train more sprint kick, train more sprint and your competition sprinting should improve. I suggest reading thought this workout thread, maybe following the workouts or at least stealing ideas. Following that thread (you can subscribe the the master thread and get emailed when new workouts are posted and any comments are made) will be more help than just collecting some ideas here and going off to try to implement them. By following the workout thread, you will be fed new training ideas, be reminded of what you should be working on, see the questions others have about this training approach and get your questions you might have on sprint training answered by an expert. High Intensity Training - by Leslie Livingston - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums HI, Thank you so much. It's a very interesting thread. Thank you again for your suggetion.

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:45:07 GMT

I think that when I race, I use more legs than when I've my training, so I've an high oxygen consumption. My kick is not so good and I'm 43. Train more sprint kick, train more sprint and your competition sprinting should improve. I suggest reading thought this workout thread, maybe following the workouts or at least stealing ideas. Following that thread (you can subscribe the the master thread and get emailed when new workouts are posted and any comments are made) will be more help than just collecting some ideas here and going off to try to implement them. By following the workout thread, you will be fed new training ideas, be reminded of what you should be working on, see the questions others have about this training approach and get your questions you might have on sprint training answered by an expert. High Intensity Training - by Leslie Livingston - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums

RE: How to improve my sprint

jim thornton — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:57:41 GMT

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:59:59 GMT

What is your 25M, time from the wall, and what are your splits for 100M? Are you good at kicking? Hi Steve, my 25M from the wall is about 14/15". My splits in free style 100Mt are about: 29" (high) and 33" (high) So usually I have 3/4" between first 50M and the second (long and short course is the same). Too much, this is my problem. Thank you so much

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:45:52 GMT

If you can do the 50 in 27,50, I think you could increase performance in technique. Try to work on 15 strokes in 15 seconds. It should be possible in your case. Then, try to maintain that stroke and technique in the race, you do it only a bit faster. I assume that you do now to many strokes and have the effect of a slipping tyre on ice. How is your kick? What is your age? Hi, thank you. OK, I'll try to follow your suggestion (15 strokes in 15 seconds). In this way I would improve my stroke. I think that when I race, I use more legs than when I've my training, so I've an high oxygen consumption. My kick is not so good and I'm 43. Thanks a lot for your help.

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:15:17 GMT

Hi, thank you for reply. Yes, betwen 15/17 strokes in about 17/18". If you can do the 50 in 27,50, I think you could increase performance in technique. Try to work on 15 strokes in 15 seconds. It should be possible in your case. Then, try to maintain that stroke and technique in the race, you do it only a bit faster. I assume that you do now to many strokes and have the effect of a slipping tyre on ice. How is your kick? What is your age?

RE: How to improve my sprint

__steve__ — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:20:53 GMT

What is your 25M, time from the wall, and what are your splits for 100M? Are you good at kicking?

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:02:52 GMT

There's a similar discussion already going on here: 100 Freestyle Endurance - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums Thank you Keith. It's an interesting discussion. I understand when they say "swim 100mt or 125mt several times per week" but how can I put this kind of exercise in my workout? How many times per week ? Thank you so much for your help. Giampiero

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:51:56 GMT

Did you ever count strokes on 25 meter? What is the minimum in what time? (push off from the wall, no dive) Hi, thank you for reply. Yes, betwen 15/17 strokes in about 17/18".

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:51:04 GMT

There's a similar discussion already going on here: 100 Freestyle Endurance - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums

RE: How to improve my sprint

Former Member — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:04:33 GMT

Did you ever count strokes on 25 meter? What is the minimum in what time? (push off from the wall, no dive)