Have you ever noticed that some people get an instant boost from putting on paddles while others don't?
I swim with a training partner and we both hold around 1:10 "threshold" pace (per 100 yards) in training. When we put on paddles and do (as an example) 200s on the 2:35, I'll start out holding 2:25-2:30 and eventually tire out to the point of being touch and go. My training partner will hold 1:05-1:10 pretty comfortably.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how this relates to training and racing? Is more paddle swimming going to make me a faster swimmer? Is it irrelevant to swimming speed without paddles? Does this indicate that I need to do more lifting to get my lats and triceps stronger?
Anyone have any advice on training with paddles or stories about how paddle work has affected their racing?
"When I use a buoy, I find that it flattens out my stroke too much and I lose that connection to my hips."
Have you tried using your kickboard as a buoy instead? Try putting the base of it between your legs and have it stick up like a gravestone or shark fin. It gives you the float factor, but it also gives you good feedback as it teeters with your hips. You can really feel the way it moves.
Like some of you guys, when I do buoys and/or paddles, I tend to slow down. It's so frustrating since most of the guys tend to go faster and I can't keep up.
"When I use a buoy, I find that it flattens out my stroke too much and I lose that connection to my hips."
Have you tried using your kickboard as a buoy instead? Try putting the base of it between your legs and have it stick up like a gravestone or shark fin. It gives you the float factor, but it also gives you good feedback as it teeters with your hips. You can really feel the way it moves.
Like some of you guys, when I do buoys and/or paddles, I tend to slow down. It's so frustrating since most of the guys tend to go faster and I can't keep up.
