I didn't know whether I should post this on the "Swim Happy" thread or my thread, How do I train 400 IM without losing sprint speed? - U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums , so I decided to start a new one, instead. :D
As I mentioned on my other thread, I attempted a 200 fly and was thrilled to be able to do it. My next self-challenge was to see just how much fly I could swim. :afraid: So, I tried it today, my 6th day of swimming in a row which is always my recovery day. (My recovery days are usually Saturdays, but I took last Monday off, instead of Sunday.)
Today, I did my typical 6th swim day routine: Arrive at the pool without a planned workout, see how I feel, and only use my watch for monitoring heart rates and rest intervals; no racing the clock! But, I brought along my camera, just in case I was in the mood to attempt my fly self-challenge.
After 1,600 yards of various free and back (no breaststroke today; I did Allen's 100 & 200 breaststroke training yesterday), I decided to give it a go; much to the chagrin of my husband who was enlisted to film me.
I lost track after 300 yards (300! :ohyeah:), but I kept going, knowing I could watch the video and count it up later. I wish I would have kept track, because I ended up doing 900 yards and felt like I could have kept going! :bliss: But, I got that if looks could kill look from my husband/videographer who, I'm sure, was tired of holding the camera. And, when I did finish, he :bitching:, because he was afraid I would injure my shoulders again.
By now, I can just hear y'all (Geek?) out there doubting me. You don't believe any of this, right?:lmao: Well, kick back:popcorn: and check this out: http://youtu.be/4fmP1szg4mo It's not pretty; especially at the beginning, before I relaxed and settled in. And, I'll have to warn you, it took me over 20 minutes. :bed:
Here are my splits, copied from my FLOG:
Total time: 20:30
100 yd Splits (+/-):
100- 2:02
200- 2:10
300- 2:17
400- 2:21
500- 2:20
600- 2:17
700- 2:20
800- 2:23
900- 2:20
So, today, I lived up to Ande's nickname for me: Elaine-iaK. Guilty as charged! :groovy:
P.S. I know it was ugly; I have a long way to go to get my technique up to speed. And, I have a long way to go to get my speed up to speed! But, today, I needed to rest my legs after yesterday's breaststroke workout, so I barely kicked. And, I had to go way off my :39, 50 fly PB to survive. BUT, I welcome feedback; especially constructive criticism on how I can improve my stroke. THANKS!
Way to go, Elaine! that is one mean feat. You're a really strong swimmer - your form did not change all that much, especially considering the distance you swam.
You asked for fly feedback - here's my 2 cents:
1. as noted in another post, you need more undulation in the hips and knees.
2. your second kick is particularly weak, so when you breathe and your arms are recovering, there is a "dead zone" in your stoke . Aside from working on your (second) kick,
3. get your head back in the water faster after taking a breath: a. be sure you are exhaling continuously underwater, not holding your breath - if you hold your breath, you have to finish exhaling when you come up to breathe b. breathe a bit earlier in the pull cycle, as your arms reach your shoulder plane
4. watch your hand entry - 11 and 1 o'clock are better than both hands near 12 o'clock - you don't want to waste pushing water to the side before the catch
But overall - amazing! :cheerleader:
Thanks, swim'! And, thanks for your feedback; I appreciate it!
Regarding your comments (Great stuff! :applaud:):
#1 Definitely; my biggest flaw. :blush:
#2 I tried not to kick much, as I recently recovered from straining muscles in my right leg from breaststroke. Saturday was a big breaststroke day, so I wanted to rest my legs yesterday on my "recovery" day. (Actually, I felt great afterward!)
#3 My coach has been working with me on the first part (getting my head back down fast); that was actually an improvement on what I had been doing. :blush: As for exhaling; got that down pat. I can't even imagine trying to exhale AND inhale when I come up to breathe! :afraid:
#4 Darn; I'm still bringing my arms around too far. Wookiee had made a good suggestion to visualize the lane lines on each side of my lane, at the end of the pool, and aim to "touch" each one as I make my way forward. This would keep the hands landing wider. I think I need to reset where that is visually in my mind, since I am trying to look down at the water when I breathe. :agree:
Thanks, again, swim'!
Way to go, Elaine! that is one mean feat. You're a really strong swimmer - your form did not change all that much, especially considering the distance you swam.
You asked for fly feedback - here's my 2 cents:
1. as noted in another post, you need more undulation in the hips and knees.
2. your second kick is particularly weak, so when you breathe and your arms are recovering, there is a "dead zone" in your stoke . Aside from working on your (second) kick,
3. get your head back in the water faster after taking a breath: a. be sure you are exhaling continuously underwater, not holding your breath - if you hold your breath, you have to finish exhaling when you come up to breathe b. breathe a bit earlier in the pull cycle, as your arms reach your shoulder plane
4. watch your hand entry - 11 and 1 o'clock are better than both hands near 12 o'clock - you don't want to waste pushing water to the side before the catch
But overall - amazing! :cheerleader:
Thanks, swim'! And, thanks for your feedback; I appreciate it!
Regarding your comments (Great stuff! :applaud:):
#1 Definitely; my biggest flaw. :blush:
#2 I tried not to kick much, as I recently recovered from straining muscles in my right leg from breaststroke. Saturday was a big breaststroke day, so I wanted to rest my legs yesterday on my "recovery" day. (Actually, I felt great afterward!)
#3 My coach has been working with me on the first part (getting my head back down fast); that was actually an improvement on what I had been doing. :blush: As for exhaling; got that down pat. I can't even imagine trying to exhale AND inhale when I come up to breathe! :afraid:
#4 Darn; I'm still bringing my arms around too far. Wookiee had made a good suggestion to visualize the lane lines on each side of my lane, at the end of the pool, and aim to "touch" each one as I make my way forward. This would keep the hands landing wider. I think I need to reset where that is visually in my mind, since I am trying to look down at the water when I breathe. :agree:
Thanks, again, swim'!
