OK, Forumites, I need help figuring this out... :help:
I am a breaststroker, for sure; definitely best at the 50. It goes downhill from there, according to how my times fall on the (outdated, I know) 2010 Motivational Times Charts. Since I have always been a speedster in general (definitely a rabbit, rather than a truck), I thought of myself as a sprinter. And, my 50's in all strokes rank higher than my 100's and 200's.
BUT, my coach declared me a true distance swimmer, after I swam my 2,000 fly (and felt better at the end than at the beginning), negative split my back-to-back 3k and 1k open water swims, and negative split my 400m free and 800m free races on my first attempt. He also whips me on the first half of our training sessions, but I get stronger and start negative splitting during the second half of our 4,000 yard workouts.
More evidence: According to the Motivational Times Chart, I rank highest in the 50 and 1650 freestyle and poorest in the 100 and 200.
So, what gives? I'm best at the extremes, but, even when I correctly split my 100's and 200's, they :censor:. Any ideas as to why this is and whether I am truly a sprinter or distance swimmer? :dunno:
Sorry, I wasn't understanding and still might not be clear. But I don't think this is the type of feedback you were wanting?
Regardless, if you wish to explore simplistic tests for slow twitch vs. fast twitch, here are a couple of ideas:
www.brianmac.co.uk/musclefibre.htmwww.fasterbetterstronger.com/id43.html
The first you can do in the weight room using various muscles on different machines/stations. The other is a vertical jump test. There are other types of tests given on the internet. I don't know the details -- I was tested much younger and I was always extremely on the endurance side.
But beyond the physical attributes, there are other factors like mental outlook and emotional composition that play a big role in determining what is "best" for us. Not to mention that being able to master certain strokes (in a technical sense) and being smart (about strategy and splitting) can mask that we don't have much natural talent at that stroke/distance.
Thanks, slow. I put part of your quote in bold, because that was what I was trying to figure out. Not only was I looking for an explanation as to why I am best at the extremes (very short or the longest distances) in racing; but also how I can figure out what my body is objectively best suited to race.
You bring up a good point; the mental aspect is a big part of it. But, I guess that was part of my question, as well. Why do I gravitate (mentally) to the extremes. And, no, Forumites, I am not a schizophrenic! :afraid: (But, I will gladly 'fess up to being appropriately nicknamed by Ande as "Elaine-Iak") :D
Thanks for the links! I will give those tests a try after my next meet and see how it goes...
Sorry, I wasn't understanding and still might not be clear. But I don't think this is the type of feedback you were wanting?
Regardless, if you wish to explore simplistic tests for slow twitch vs. fast twitch, here are a couple of ideas:
www.brianmac.co.uk/musclefibre.htmwww.fasterbetterstronger.com/id43.html
The first you can do in the weight room using various muscles on different machines/stations. The other is a vertical jump test. There are other types of tests given on the internet. I don't know the details -- I was tested much younger and I was always extremely on the endurance side.
But beyond the physical attributes, there are other factors like mental outlook and emotional composition that play a big role in determining what is "best" for us. Not to mention that being able to master certain strokes (in a technical sense) and being smart (about strategy and splitting) can mask that we don't have much natural talent at that stroke/distance.
Thanks, slow. I put part of your quote in bold, because that was what I was trying to figure out. Not only was I looking for an explanation as to why I am best at the extremes (very short or the longest distances) in racing; but also how I can figure out what my body is objectively best suited to race.
You bring up a good point; the mental aspect is a big part of it. But, I guess that was part of my question, as well. Why do I gravitate (mentally) to the extremes. And, no, Forumites, I am not a schizophrenic! :afraid: (But, I will gladly 'fess up to being appropriately nicknamed by Ande as "Elaine-Iak") :D
Thanks for the links! I will give those tests a try after my next meet and see how it goes...
