I learned how to swim freestyle two summers ago and I love it! I'd appreciate any swimming tips and feedback. I'd like to improve my form with the aim of swimming faster triathlon distances (1.5 - 4 km). The video below is grainy and watermarked but I'm hoping there's enough there to give a general gist of my current stroke.
http://youtu.be/H4_a263ytBw
Thanks!
There is nothing wrong with kicking while training then saving your legs as required at actual events, is there?
Never seen the swimsmooth mechanical-man before, interesting. They did a good job replicating a swimmer but there's a few things I don't support (if it means anything).
First is the broken wrist catch, check out Mr. Popov's wrist over there 'll attach it. You will have to be very flexible to bend like that and it might require more work.
gotta go ... My SWIMMER issue just arrived (25's, cool!)
KICK. You're focusing so much on your arms that you're forgetting to kick.
Are you sure this is good advice for someone planning to bike over 100 miles and run over 26 after swimming a couple miles?
You are right gbrain -The advice should be adjust the kick so as not to be overkicking. Become more streamlined keep elbows high and rotate those shoulders. A little more extension when the hand enters. Are you sure this is good advice for someone planning to bike over 100 miles and run over 26 after swimming a couple miles?
I'm a total noob, but I'll contribute with a couple of ideas...
you only breathe to one side every other stroke... in the pool you're breathing to the right, in the OWS you're breathing to the left... if you're proficient on both sides, I personally would recommend switching it up if you can. I'll never forget a rough Oly distance tri I did in 2009, the swim was freezing and very choppy (Lobsterman in Maine) and failing to breathe bilaterally left me with a nasty giant blister on the right side of my neck from my wetsuit. Also, since learning to breathe bilaterally every 3rd stroke, for me, I notice I am more "balanced" and feel like I swim straighter easier. you will be oxygen deficient in the beginning to take it slow, and practice holding your breath by slapping on some fins and swimming a length entirely under water. just a suggestion.
Also, are you familiar with the two beat kick for triathlon swimming? It's something I practice in OWS but not necessarily in the pool - the idea is that it saves your legs for the bike/run:
Freestyle two-beat kick - YouTube
There is nothing wrong with kicking while training then saving your legs as required at actual events, is there?
If you are training for a race, train as you will race.
