I stopped swimming competitively at age 14 (in Australia), but kept swimming for fun, to stay in shape etc... Then 5 years ago, at age 33 (in Italy), I joined the local masters swim squad – there was no qualified coach and most of the swimmers had started swimming (self-taught) in their adult years.
I looked around for workouts, discovered drills, everyone’s technique drastically needed working on and I took on the unqualified role of drill coach. – at least times improved!
Then last year I moved to Spain – the club I joined has no masters team – and I swim alone. I’d like to know if anyone has any advice for training alone, how to keep up motivation, and is it possible to improve times?
Recently my motivation has been ‘ya gotta swim fast to swim fast’ – I love it, it’s so easy to recall as I slow down and fall into that comfort zone – thanks to whoever coined the phrase.
I’ve been following Michael Collins’ workouts which I never (rarely) get bored with – that’s also a big help and probably half of the battle – although I nearly died the first couple of weeks trying to keep yard times to a meter pool!.
A big problem is feedback. I like TI, probably because I feel it natural – and since I found info on it (6 mos) I’ve working on improving my style
I do 800 meters in 11’20 (25mt pool) and vary between 15-16 strokes per lap – is this good, bad, or in between? I’m 5ft3+1/2 if this makes any difference.
I can’t get under this time – I feel I’ve got the strokes down, I drill in practice, technique is always on my mind but I can’t get faster (I know I’m not getting younger, but..) Also little is mentioned about the kick – how do you kick in TI – or does it just flow on from the stroke?
:)
Parents
Former Member
Thanks for your reply, Lexa, I have a couple of observations/questions:
1. Are you too training by yourself? If so what material have you used to ‘self teach’? There is just sooo much info, maybe if you’ve sifted through some of it you could tell what’s the most useful and , of course, the clearest. My times have improved , or did improve, and now I’m stagnant – which is most frustrating, you just don’t know what else you can do.
2. After hurting my hip/lower back using a bench press earlier this year I can no longer give a decent push off the walls which must influence stroke count. I’m working on stretching which is proving to be quite a feat!!
3. Well, I tried your 2-2-6 kick (I breath every 3 or 5) and found it near impossible – I totally lose balance and almost roll over, feel like a whale that can’t swim. Persistence maybe?
4. I tend to swim the total distance in a set time, without breaking it down into 50’s or 25’s – how does breaking down times help? And how can you check the partial times without stopping?:(
Thanks for your reply, Lexa, I have a couple of observations/questions:
1. Are you too training by yourself? If so what material have you used to ‘self teach’? There is just sooo much info, maybe if you’ve sifted through some of it you could tell what’s the most useful and , of course, the clearest. My times have improved , or did improve, and now I’m stagnant – which is most frustrating, you just don’t know what else you can do.
2. After hurting my hip/lower back using a bench press earlier this year I can no longer give a decent push off the walls which must influence stroke count. I’m working on stretching which is proving to be quite a feat!!
3. Well, I tried your 2-2-6 kick (I breath every 3 or 5) and found it near impossible – I totally lose balance and almost roll over, feel like a whale that can’t swim. Persistence maybe?
4. I tend to swim the total distance in a set time, without breaking it down into 50’s or 25’s – how does breaking down times help? And how can you check the partial times without stopping?:(
