I think overall if you started out as a relative beginner with regular training only about 10 months ago, and mostly on your own, you've made great strides! You seem to have read a lot and gained knowledge about swimming, had a video analysis done, and come to enjoy and love the sport. Elements you need to continue to work on include improving your current kicking technique, as others have mentioned - this is a detriment to your continued progress. You also need to work on improving your balance and symmetry - learning bilateral breathing to ensure that you have balanced strength and stability on both sides of the body, and also learning how to keep the vertical axis of your body still while rotating around the axis.
All of these improvements need to be worked on more in the pool, as opposed to the open water. Wearing goggles is very important, as advised, because they allow you to focus more on your stroke without the discomfort of water in your eyes and reduced vision.
Although it's easier to make stroke critiques, the more difficult part is learning exactly how to implement technical corrections into your routine training in order to improve your stroke. Ideally, this should be done with a coach, someone who understands your specific needs and who can help devise workouts that will combine technique work with increased conditioning so that you have a good balance of both. Regardless of your level, you always have to continuously work on perfecting your stroke while also developing conditioning. A good coach can help you maintain this balance and maximize the use of your training time. Good luck!
I think overall if you started out as a relative beginner with regular training only about 10 months ago, and mostly on your own, you've made great strides! You seem to have read a lot and gained knowledge about swimming, had a video analysis done, and come to enjoy and love the sport. Elements you need to continue to work on include improving your current kicking technique, as others have mentioned - this is a detriment to your continued progress. You also need to work on improving your balance and symmetry - learning bilateral breathing to ensure that you have balanced strength and stability on both sides of the body, and also learning how to keep the vertical axis of your body still while rotating around the axis.
All of these improvements need to be worked on more in the pool, as opposed to the open water. Wearing goggles is very important, as advised, because they allow you to focus more on your stroke without the discomfort of water in your eyes and reduced vision.
Although it's easier to make stroke critiques, the more difficult part is learning exactly how to implement technical corrections into your routine training in order to improve your stroke. Ideally, this should be done with a coach, someone who understands your specific needs and who can help devise workouts that will combine technique work with increased conditioning so that you have a good balance of both. Regardless of your level, you always have to continuously work on perfecting your stroke while also developing conditioning. A good coach can help you maintain this balance and maximize the use of your training time. Good luck!
