Sorry if this is overlong, but I am discouraged, and need some encouragement. Since getting back in to swimming this past summer at the age of 54, I have been in 3 events. My main stroke is the 50 breaststroke. This summer I swam a 39.42 for 50 meters in a non-sanctioned event (they take the middle time of 3 hand-held timers). I was delighted, because 36 years earlier at 18 my best time was about 36 seconds (and that was a relay split as we only had 100s back then), so I figured for a guy my age, that time (the 39+) was pretty good. I had only trained about 7 weeks. I had a trainer for dry land workouts, but really no swim coaching at all.
In my second meet, and my first sanctioned one, I did 40.71 (also for 50 meters) in October. Today, I did a 38.0 for 50 yards, which translated to about 42 and change.
When I did the 39.4, I swam 6 events, for a total of 225 meters (there were some 25s). Today I swam only 1. I have also gone from 220 pounds down to about 203 (I am still overweight with about 19% body fat). It seems that things should point to my getting faster, not slower.
Two things have changed...I am logging MORE time in the water, but have reduced my dry land training to almost zero...just doing 100-200 pushups a few times a week, but no work with a personal trainer. Secondly, I am trying to use the new breaststroke technique, introducing the dolphin kick, focusing on getting more streamlined and submerging my whole body on the extension, tucking my head to lower water resistance, and lifting my head out of the water less on the outsweep. I am guessing the learning the new methods is taking some time...it is not automatic yet...I still have to think about it.
I guess I answered my own question to some extent, but would like to know if folks think I should just revert to my old flat style or keep trying to perfect the new. I also welcome any other ideas about training, day of race prep, and the like. I feel great in practice, and some of the lifeguards who are swimmers say I look fast, but on race day, I seem to psyche myself out and forget to concentrate on what I am doing.
Let me suggest that focusing on your time in one specific event is too narrow, and as you've discovered, too vulnerable to disappointment. Instead, find a broader range of things to do. If you're doing many things, a minor setback in one won't be so discouraging.
For example, what's your best time for a 1650 in a meet? Have you done one yet? No? Put it on your list. How about a 400 IM? Why the heck not? Ande says train for everything, swim everything. If you're in it for the long term, that's a good goal.
I completely agree with Swimosaur, (especially now that he is my teammate). :D
Seriously. I am a breaststroker, but I have seen my times recently tank, even though my stroke technique has improved quite a bit since I first joined USMS, three years ago. The reason? I was focusing too much on breaststroke in training and kept injuring several of the muscles in my right leg. So, I am unable to put my full strength into my kick, because it always feels like it's on the verge of :toohurt: . I am still sore after last weekend's Auburn meet, because I raced all three breaststroke events, the 400 IM, and breaststroke leg of the medley relay, in addition to a full slate of other events.
My solution? During the several-week process of going to see my doctor to get a referral for PT and waiting until after my swim meet to go to my first appointment, I have been working on improving my backstroke; a stroke I can train more yardage with less pain. It used to be my worst stroke and it is now my second best stroke. I used to hate it and now I love it! So, I have new time goals for backstroke, as well as improving my 400 IM, 200 fly, and distance free; all events where I have plenty of room to grow and improve. By focusing on something positive, it keeps me from getting too :sad: about my breaststroke.
At my next meet on March 9 & 10, I will be racing all three backstroke events for the first time. And, for the first time, I will NOT be racing all three breaststroke events; only the 50 breaststroke and breaststroke in the 400 IM.
Swimosaur is right about trying different events; especially if you are in this for the long haul. Mixing it up keeps things exciting, challenging, and rewarding. It also may save your body from repetitive stress injuries if you train all of the strokes, rather than focusing too much on one.
Good luck! :cheerleader:
Let me suggest that focusing on your time in one specific event is too narrow, and as you've discovered, too vulnerable to disappointment. Instead, find a broader range of things to do. If you're doing many things, a minor setback in one won't be so discouraging.
For example, what's your best time for a 1650 in a meet? Have you done one yet? No? Put it on your list. How about a 400 IM? Why the heck not? Ande says train for everything, swim everything. If you're in it for the long term, that's a good goal.
I completely agree with Swimosaur, (especially now that he is my teammate). :D
Seriously. I am a breaststroker, but I have seen my times recently tank, even though my stroke technique has improved quite a bit since I first joined USMS, three years ago. The reason? I was focusing too much on breaststroke in training and kept injuring several of the muscles in my right leg. So, I am unable to put my full strength into my kick, because it always feels like it's on the verge of :toohurt: . I am still sore after last weekend's Auburn meet, because I raced all three breaststroke events, the 400 IM, and breaststroke leg of the medley relay, in addition to a full slate of other events.
My solution? During the several-week process of going to see my doctor to get a referral for PT and waiting until after my swim meet to go to my first appointment, I have been working on improving my backstroke; a stroke I can train more yardage with less pain. It used to be my worst stroke and it is now my second best stroke. I used to hate it and now I love it! So, I have new time goals for backstroke, as well as improving my 400 IM, 200 fly, and distance free; all events where I have plenty of room to grow and improve. By focusing on something positive, it keeps me from getting too :sad: about my breaststroke.
At my next meet on March 9 & 10, I will be racing all three backstroke events for the first time. And, for the first time, I will NOT be racing all three breaststroke events; only the 50 breaststroke and breaststroke in the 400 IM.
Swimosaur is right about trying different events; especially if you are in this for the long haul. Mixing it up keeps things exciting, challenging, and rewarding. It also may save your body from repetitive stress injuries if you train all of the strokes, rather than focusing too much on one.
Good luck! :cheerleader:
